The Australian bowlers continued to impress in the third Test when they defeated India with 163 runs in the third innings of Day 2 (Thursday March 2) in Indore. The visitors need 76 runs to win the Test and come out on top in the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, which India currently leads 2-0.
The Aussies started the day with an overnight score of 156/4 with Peter Handscomb and Cameron Green in the crease. The duo successfully made it through the first hour of testing against the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Mohammed Siraj.
With 186/4 on the board at one stage, Australia looked on course for a solid first innings total. However, Umesh Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin combined to trigger a massive collapse, which saw the visiting team lose their last six wickets by just 11 runs. They took an 88-run lead after taking a total of 197.
The Indian team batsmen once again failed to perform in conditions favorable to the effects. Nathan Lyon (8/50) set the tone with a sensational performance and put his team on top.
Cheteshwar Pujara (59 off 142 balls) fought a lone battle in harsh batting conditions against the Australian bowlers and hit a fighting half-century. Shreyas Iyer (26) tried to fight back but couldn’t last long. The hosts were bowled out for 163 and set a paltry target of 76 for the Australians.
Speaking after stumps on Day 2, Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara said:
“75 might not be much, but there’s still a chance. You’ve got to do that on those fields. If you keep defending, there’s going to be a ball that hits your glove.”
“You have to make sure you save any loose pitches that are offered. When Lyon was throwing around the stumps, his line shifted a bit. He just wanted to rotate the punch. He wanted to hit it towards square leg, but it went to leg ravine, brilliant catch from Steven Smith.”
Fans react after India’s timid batting effort in their second innings in Indore Test against Australia
The fans enjoyed the action on day 2 of the third test today. They expressed their views by sharing hilarious memes on Instagram and Twitter.
Here are some of the best reactions: