Stunning efforts from Cheteshwar Pujara and Wriddhiman Saha ensured that India were able to turn the tables on Australia by the end of Day 4 of the third Test. Follow all the action of Day 5 from 3pm (AEDT) here on The Roar.
Day 4 resumed with the hosts at 6-360, trailing Australia by 91 runs.
However, the partnership between Pujara and Saha prospered and they India took the lead during the post-lunch session.
Pujara brought up the third double-century of his Test career, with a herculean effort of 203 runs off 525 deliveries. In the process, he claimed the record for having faced the highest number of deliveries in a Test innings for India, beating Rahul Dravid’s mark.
Saha hit 117 runs off 233 deliveries. Both fell while trying to take on the Australian bowlers in a bid to increase the scoring rate, after having put on 199 runs for the seventh wicket.
With India looking to push on following their dismissals, Ravindra Jadeja turned it on with the bat as he hit a quick 54 runs off 55 deliveries, before skipper Kohli declared. Steve O’Keefe picked up a couple of wickets on the fourth day while Nathan Lyon claimed Pujara’s wicket.
Australia were put under pressure straight away, Kohli entrusting Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja with the new ball.
The move paid dividends as Jadeja castled the dangerous David Warner, before dismissing the nightwatchman, Lyon. The visitors were 2-23 at stumps, trailing by 129 runs.
India’s job on the final day is clear, as is their strategy. Big footmarks and cracks have appeared on the wicket and they will look to make it nasty for the Australians, who struggled against the spinners in the last Test match.
Australia need to tread with caution but also maintain a positive mindset. Playing for a draw will work in India’s favour on a final day wicket.
The manner of their capitulation in Bangalore be fresh in their minds, making this a mental battle as well as one of skill.
Gav
Guest
I noticed that!
Bakkies
Guest
Due to Australia holding the trophy India needed to do more time to get Australia out and press for victory
Don Freo
Guest
Not very often at all.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Super proud of that effort. Outside of Warner, who seems at a loss as to whether to go hard or grind, every batsman showed pluck. Last day heroes were Marsh and Handscomb but Smith and Renshaw also batted tough. How good was Cummins? Game on for T4. I never dreamt we'd be in it this deep. Go boys
doogs
Guest
He does my head in James. Like talking to the Robot in A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
doogs
Guest
BS
doogs
Guest
yawn
doogs
Guest
I agree it was a superb draw and a wonderful test series
doogs
Guest
he is so boring and depressing. I don't think he knows about cricket. Probably follows Yahtzee
Baz
Guest
he was the biggest contribution to a draw for sure ensuring there wasnt enough time in the game for a target to be set by the other team him amd sasha batted them to safety and australia batted like no australian team since that ricky 100 to save a test in england overseas. i am proud first time in many years we have batted a whole day to save a test. India fault for producing a wocket that didnt do enough to get good batsmen out.
spruce moose
Guest
Disagree entirely. Indian tactics were right... Australian tactics were right. The pitch bested both teams. Superb draw.
riddler
Guest
well said geoff
Internal Fixation
Guest
He spent 30 minutes thinking it up to be fair....
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
Very true, Renshaw and Handscomb are the two very good find of the year for Australia and they will serve the country for a long period of time. At Dharmashala Jackson Bird should replace injured Nathan Lyon.
AlanC
Guest
Jeez I hope you're wrong but I did think Smith didn't exactly share his century celebration with Maxie.
AlanC
Guest
It seems that every time test cricket is called as being on it's last legs an amazing series comes along - well at least since the Windies and the tied test ☺. Thank you Richie and Frank and all before and after.
Nudge
Guest
Loving those same thoughts TWAS
prosenjit
Guest
Or just maybe the bowling was not good enough,except Cummins of course.if you compare man to man I feel India has outbowled Aussies.
Rob
Guest
Yep. It was a great team effort by the Australians. It would have been a real physical and Mental challenge to get up for today. Marsh and Handscombe held their nerve under enormous pressure. Well done both teams.
Nudge
Guest
Don't think anyone on the roar speaks more dribble than that poor lad