Both India and Australia shared the honours on day three of the Ranchi Test match as the home side scored 240 runs in 540 deliveries whereas visitors scalped five big wickets. Still, the Indian team has reached a total of 360 runs and now trail by a margin of 91 runs.

The first session will be quite crucial as if Australian bowlers are able to replicate their bowling effort which they did in the first session of India’s second innings in the last Test, then India might be in trouble. The home side has to bat with grit so as to be in contention of gaining some lead.

However, the Indian batsman Murali Vijay said that the game is still even poised and Indian team can gain lead,

“The game is evenly poised and we can get closer to the total and can possibly extend the lead from there. I think it’s gonna be a good game in hand.”

Vijay along with Cheteshwar Pujara shared 102 runs for the second wicket. While Vijay fell short by 18 runs before completing his 10th Test century, Pujara continued to bat and was at 130* at the end of day three. Meanwhile, he continued his habit of scoring a century on the ground making its debut. His previous three centuries Indore, Rajkot, Vizag and now it was Ranchi. Vijay revealed what chat he and Pujara had whilst their innings,

“They were bowling really tight, to be honest. Pujara and I had a talk in between. The goal was to see off the initial phase. It came out pretty well, but it could have been much better if I had not got out.”

Further, Vijay said that he was not disappointed to miss out on a ton but accepted the fact that he played that shot in a wrong situation,

“I was not disappointed, actually, because the shot was on. Mid-on, mid-off were inside so I thought it was my shot, but the situation was wrong I guess and the execution was not up to mark. But definitely the shot was on,” said Vijay.

Vijay also commented on the act by Glen Maxwell, who tried to troll Indian skipper Virat Kohli by acting like he has heart his shoulder,

“We are taking it sportingly. They have to bat again and if they take it the same way, then it will be ver great,” Vijay said

If Australian team is able to get few early wickets, then this can tilt the game in their favour whereas a partnership tomorrow in the first session can give India an advantage.