Australia struggled to score runs, but they are still far up in the game.
Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur’s heroic seventh wicket partnership on Day 3 helped spare India some embarrassment. The two combined for 109 runs off 145 balls, preventing India from losing more than one wicket in the opening session. Ajinkya Rahane fell to Pat Cummins on 89 after a spectacular catch by Cameron Green at gully, shortening the stand’s duration in the second session. Thakur persevered and eventually got 50 before losing on 51 against Green. Australia gained a 173-run advantage in the first innings after India was finally all out for 296 runs. Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami then charged in with all guns blazing, and David Warner lost early.
After surviving an 11-over run before Tea and Australia were 23/1 at the end of the session, Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja continued to bat. Soon after play resumed, Khawaja was out, and Steve Smith changed the Australia’s strategy. When Smith unexpectedly tried for a massive heave against Jadeja and was killed, he and Labuschagne had piled up 62 runs for the third wicket and appeared to have fully shut down any possibilities for India. Travis Head lost to Ravindra Jadeja as well without getting many points. Then, Labuschagne and Cameron Green led Australia to victory at Stumps. At the end of the day, they’re still firmly in command despite the lack of runs. Australia has a 123/4 score and a 296 run advantage.
