The Test match has swung in Australia’s favour after the Indian bowlers fail to get the wickets of Aussie tailenders. India conceded 134 runs in the post lunch session to the Steve Smith and number 8,9,10 and 11 batsmen in the session. After a 148 run partnership, Ishant Sharma struck twice in an over as he dismissed Mitchell Johnson caught behind for 88 and Steve Smith for 133. Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc cashed in on the comfort provided by the Indian bowlers as they continued from where Smith and Johnson left. Lyon was dismissed by Varun Aaron for 23 before number 11 Josh Hazlewood used his turn to score against the Indian bowlers. All the primary bowlers went over 100 runs as Aussies went to tea at 485-9 in 104 overs. Starc is unbeaten on 51.
Once against Indians failed to capitalize the good momentum in first session as on Day 3, Australians looking strong towards gaining a lead. After reducing them to 247 for 6, Indians let them a go with Captain Steven Smith and Mitchell Johnson later shared an unbeaten stand of 104 as they now trail by another 57 runs.
Indians started the Day 3 with the first breakthrough came in the fifth over of the Day. Mitchell Marsh was trapped by Ishant Sharma as Marsh’s left alone delivery came into hit the stumps. Later Indians troubled Haddin with their tactic which were successful as a short delivery from Aaron was defended by Haddin which went down, where Pujara, standing at forward short leg took good catch.
Later Johnson joined unbeatable Smith. Smith wasn’t stopping with the wickets fall on other end. Indians went with short ball plan against Johnson which troubled in start but backfired in the end, as he started to score runs at a quick fire pace.
Johnson brought up his fifty in just 37 balls and Smith brought up his century on his Test Captaincy Debut in 147 balls. Both survived the session with an unbeaten century stand of 104 came in just 87 balls.
Scorecard: Australia 9 for 503 (Mitchell Starc 51*, Josh Hazlewood 31*) lead India 408 by 95 runs