Even before the start of the ongoing third Test between India and Australia, there were apprehensions over the nature of the pitch. There were speculations that the pitch would not be assisting the pacers and the game has turned out in the same manner so far. The Australian bowlers toiled hard for two days and managed to get just seven wickets. In fact, on day one they could take only two wickets. The only thing that went their way was that they managed to keep the scoring-rate well-under control.
The pitch behaved in such a disappointed manner that Australia assistant coach Brad Haddin insisted that he was depressed.
“I’m depressed,” Haddin said.
“It was a grind yesterday. There wasn’t much going on but we have to turn up today and find a way to get the rest of those wickets,” he added.
And while only time will tell how the pitch behaves on the remaining three days of the game, former Australian cricketers Shane Warne and Kerry O’Keeffe believe the Boxing Day Test is ready to kick into life.
With the pitch offering variable bounce, Warner and O’Keefe believe batting is about to become difficult.
“I think batting is going to get nasty tomorrow,” O’Keeffe told Fox Cricket. “[Jasprit] Bumrah is a real factor but there’s up and down.
“It’s going to get lower and lower and it’s the one that goes down one minute and then hits you in the fingers the next, it’s going to cause trouble,” he added.
Warne echoed his compatriot’s sentiments but conceded the pitch still isn’t up to a high standard.
“I think there will be a result in this pitch. I think there’s enough up and down movement, but I still would’ve liked to have seen on day one a bit more pace, a bit more seam and the ball to do something for the quickies,” he said.
Coming to the game, India declared at 443-7 late on day two. Resuming the day on 215 for 2 with Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli, India added 62 runs in the opening session without losing any wicket. In the very session, Pujara reached his ton while Kohli completed a fine fifty. The two went on to add 170 runs for the third wicket before Mitchell Starc ended the stand by dismissing Kohli for Starc.
Pujara soon departed after scoring 106 but Rohit Sharma scored a fine fifty to help India cross the 400-run mark. In reply, Australia finished 8-0 as India finished the day well on top. Opener Marcus Harris copped a thunderous blow to the helmet from Jasprit Bumrah that showed signs of things to follow.