Team India bounced back from their batting failures in the second Test in Perth in style in the ongoing third Test. Riding on century from Cheteshwar Pujara and fifties from Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the visitors piled up their highest total in overseas Tests this year. In reply, Australia ended the second day on 8 for no loss.
India needed a solid start with the ball to compliment the batsmen’s effort and veteran pacer Ishant Sharma rose up to the occasion. Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris could add only 16 runs to the overnight score before a brilliant catch from Agarwal off Ishant’s bowling ended the former’s knock. It was a perfect trap to get the Australian opener out.
India skipper Virat Kohli had figured out Finch’s tendency for uppish flicks. Consequently, he stationed Agarwal at short midwicket. Ishant then did his bit by pitching his delivery on a length, inviting Finch to play the flick. And Finch fell for it as he played an uppish flick which was caught brilliantly by Agarwal. The debutant showed remarkable reflex to dive full-length and take a stunner.
Australia, meanwhile, are in a spot of bother after losing four wickets in the first session itself. At lunch on day three, they were reeling at 89 for 4.
Here is a clip of that catch:
What a catch from Mayank Agarwal in close! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/RDk3qiHewp
— Cricket Network (@CricketNetwork) December 28, 2018
Meanwhile, India have scored a massive 443 for 7 in the first innings. Cheteshwar Pujara starred with the bat, scoring a century while Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma scored fifties. The four-match series is currently locked at 1-1. A win in this game will not only give India an unassailable lead but will also help them retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.