The Ajinkya Rahane- Cheteshwar Pujara pair will open the Day 3 for India. (AP)India vs Australia (IND vs AUS) 3rd Test Highlights: Day 2 of the Sydney Test ended with India 96 for two at stumps, trailing Australia by 242 runs on Friday.
Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Ajinkya Rahane were batting 9 and 5 respectively at close of play. India made a solid start with Rohit Sharma (26) and Shubman Gill (50) stitching a 70-run opening stand. Gill went on to score his maiden half-century.
Australia rode on Steve Smith’s gritty 131-run knock and half-centuries by debutant Will Pucovski (62) and Marnus Labuschagne (91) to come up with their strongest batting performance of the ongoing series.
On Day 1, the hosts looked destined for their biggest score of the series after a half-century from debutant opener Will Pucovski (62) helped them to 166/2. After the match was interrupted by rain, Labuschagne notched his ninth Test half-century to finish the day on 67 not out with Steve Smith unbeaten on 31 at the other end. For India, only Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini managed to scalp a wicket.
3rd Test, SCG, Sydney, 06 Jan, 2021
Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Ajinkya Rahane are unbeaten at Day 2 stumps of the third Test at Sydney Cricket Ground. Both managed to show the resilience after two quick falls of openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Both stitched a much-needed opening stand of 70 runs. Pujara and Rahane will open Day 3 with their overnight scores of 9 and 5 respectively. With 96/2 on board, India are trailing by 242 runs.
Australia go for a review as Rahane did not play a shot. He stuck his pad out and kicked away, the impact was outside off and that didn't matter as he was hiding his bat behind the pad, ball-tracking shows it to be clipping the off-stump. So, the onfield call remains and Australia also don't lose their review.
in Asia: 65.43 (15 inngs)
outside Asia: 24.47 (15 inngs)
Gill departs for 50 after getting an outside edge towards Green at gully off Cummins. Soon after completing a commendable half-century, Shubman Gill has edged a Cummins delivery to gully. Nonetheless, it was a top knock. IND- 85/2
Youngest Indian openers to score 50+ outside Asia:
20y 44d Ravi Shastri in Eng, 1982
20y 108d Madhav Apte in WI, 1952/53 (he hit four 50+ scores in the tour)
20y 112d Prithvi Shaw in NZ, 2019/20
21y 122d Shubman Gill in Aus, 2020/21
Rohit, on 26, has chipped one back and he is caught & bowled! He departs for 26 after a good opening stand. Australia breaks the 70-run opening partnership. Rohit Sharma's Test average away from home is 26 | Rohit Sharma today: 26 |
Score after 27 overs, IND 70/1
In a wicket hunt, Nathan Lyon was almost there to grab Rohit Sharma's wicket when Rohit was adjudged bat-pad at short leg, and he decided to review the decision. Finally, he survived, there was no bat or glove. Third umpire hasn’t seen conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field umpire’s decision. But he’s made the right decision nevertheless.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill took India past 50 with their steady contributions of 22 and 27 runs respectively. India 50/0 in 19 overs and trail by 288 runs.
It augurs well for India as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are taking their time at the middle and both have already outlasted more overs than the openers combined in the first four innings in the series (8.5 overs). Rohit Sharma 11* and Shubman Gill 16*
It augurs well for India as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are taking their time at the middle and both have already outlasted more overs than the openers combined in the first four innings in the series (8.5 overs). Rohit Sharma 11* and Shubman Gill 16*
India made 26 for no loss in their first innings at tea after dismissing Australia for 338 on the Day 2The home team rode on Steve Smith's gritty 131-run knock and half centuries by debutant Will Pucovski (62) and Marnus Labuschagne (91) to come up with their strongest batting performance of the ongoing series.
The session is extended because there were stoppages due to rain in the first session. Both Rohit and Shubman are looking promising at the middle. No trouble for both of them so far.
Josh Hazlewood bowls Rohit Sharma and he drives the ball for four. First boundary for Rohit Sharma! Slightly on the shorter side with width dished out, Rohit gets on top of the bounce. Both Rohit and Shubman are looking confident.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are at the middle with just 10 minutes to Day 2 tea. Australia crossed 300 for the first time this series, but they would have had a bigger total in mind at the start of the day.
What a direct hit from Ravindra Jadeja. Steve Smith who was playing on 131, was run out with Jadeja's throw. Smith pushes this short of a good length delivery into the on-side backward of square off the inner edge and tries to keep the strike coming back for a second.Jaddu hits the bulls-eye at the striker's end to catch the centurion short of his crease!
Jadeja gets Lyon LBW and it's his fourth wicket. 4/51. With three reviews in the bank, Lyon just took a chance. Fired in full and Lyon was too late in bringing his bat down. Gone for a duck. Josh Hazlewood is the new man in.
Saini puts an end to Starc's cameo. This was once again short and into the surface which rose steeply, and the pull shot takes the ball towards mid-on. Gill takes it comfortably. Score after 102 overs, AUS- 310/8
Eight each by-
Steven Smith (25 inngs) *
Gary Sobers (30 inngs)
Viv Richards (41 inngs)
Ricky Ponting (51 inngs)
The drought is broken! After an interval of 17 months and 15 innings, Steve Smith is a Test centurion once more. A fighting century for Steve Smith as he continues to stand tall while wickets fall at the other end. AUS- 291/7