Aus vs Ind, 2nd Test: India On The Verge Of Victory As Australia Collapses (Day Report)
The Indian team is on the verge of winning the second test match against Australia at the end of Day 3 at Melbourne.
Australia, while trailing by 131 runs at the start of session two, lost the wicket of Joe Burns in the fourth over. Burns edged a Umesh Yadav delivery to Rishabh Pant. India, however, suffered a big blow in the same over as Yadav limped off the field, and eventually went for a scan.
Marnus Labuschagne and Mathew Wade looked to play with some positive intent. Labuschagne was looking determined to score big in this innings, however, his knock was cut short by R Ashwin's straight delivery.
Steve Smith's poor form continued in this series as he got bowled by a Jasprit Bumrah delivery which clipped the leg stump.
Mathew Wade, on the other end, was looking strong with his defensive skills during his 137-ball-40 run knock. Ravindra Jadeja got him out plumb, triggering a mini Australian collapse. Tim Paine's dismissal raised a few eyebrows who was given out despite unclear evidence.
Pat Cummins and Cameron Green used their defensive skills to full use to survive the final 30 minutes of the play and made sure Australia gets a lead, even if it's of two runs at the end of days play.
Earlier, Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja came out to continue their unbeaten 104 run partnership. The pair looked to score runs with attacking intent. Unfortunately, the idea of taking quick singles turned out to be the end of an incredible partnership, as Rahane fell inches short of the crease.
The dismissal triggered the collapse of the Indian tail as they lost the final five wickets for just 32 runs. An early lunch was taken as India walked back to the pavilion with a healthy lead of 131 runs.
Brief Score:
Australia - 195/10 (Marnus Labuschagne - 48; Jasprit Bumrah - 4/56)
India - 326/10 (Ajinkya Rahane - 112; Nathan Lyon - 3/70)
Australia - 133/6 (Mathew Wade - 40; Ravindra Jadeja - 2/25)