India vs Australia, 3rd Test Day 4: Pujara, Saha steal the show, Jadeja makes merry
Ranchi: India have turned the match in their favour as Cheteshwar Pujara (202), Wriddhiman Saha (117) and Ravindra Jadeja (54* and 2/6) left Australia reeling at 23/2; trailing India by 129 runs on Day 4 of the third Test here on Sunday.
India, who resumed play at 360 for 6, declared their innings at 603/9 after Pujara’s marathon double hundred and Saha’s 3rd Test ton. The duo stitched 199-run partnership and pulverised the Australian bowlers before Jadeja added salt to Australia’s wounds as India batted for 210 overs, securing 152-run lead.
Australia 23/2 from 7.2 overs:
WICKET AND STUMPS! Jadeja is all over Aussies. Nathan Lyon has no clue what has just happened. The ball turned, beat outside edge of Lyon and thudded onto the stumps in the final over of day's play. Indian team is celebrating, Smith looks concerned in the dressing room as the umpires call it a day.
Australia 17/1 from 5.1 overs:
WICKET! Just the start India want, just the start Australia did not. Ravindra Jadeja disturbs the timber. Warner's horrific run of form in the series continues. The ball has broken through Warner's defence, Jadeja is running wild and did we just see Kohli mocking back at Australia?
India 603/9 from 210 overs:
Declaration! Virat Kohli waves from the dressing room to signal declaration after Ravindra Jadeja scored a quickfire fifty. India have hurt Australia badly by batting for 210 overs and securing 152-run lead. If that's not enough, the Australian openers will have to tackle the tricky period where they will have to bat for 20 minutes or so.
India 595/9 from 208.2 overs:
WICKET! O'Keefe has Umesh now. Warner takes a fine catch but Australia don't even bother to celebrate.
India 578/8 from 206 overs:
Ravindra Jadeja and Umesh Yadav are adding insult to the injury. They have taken India's lead past 125. Australia look tired as India look to add some more quick runs and have a crack at Steve Smith and Co.
India 541/8 from 196.1 overs:
WICKET! Saha gets out after scoring 117 runs off 233 balls as Steve O'Keefe strikes. Fine hundred from Saha as he and Pujara have pushed Australia on the backfoot.
India 527/7 from 193.2 overs:
WICKET! End of a marathon innings from Cheteshwar Pujara! 525 balls and 202 runs later, he perishes. He and Saha teamed up when India were 328/6 and went on to stitch 199-run partnership. Quite a few Australian players rush in to congratulate him, Indian dressing room is applauding his brilliant effort as Pujara looks disheartened to have got out. Nathan Lyon, meanwhile, has got his first wicket in this match.
India 521/6 from 192 overs:
DOUBLE HUNDRED! Pujara has done it. His 3rd double hundred in Test cricket and the entire dressing room is on its feet. He celebrates, Saha hugs him. Top class effort from one of India's best batsmen in Test cricket. Tremendous batting performance.
India 504/6 from 188.1 overs:
HUNDRED for Saha! 3rd Test hundred for Wriddhiman Saha. What a fine knock this is.
India 503/6 from 188 overs:
TEA BREAK! Another wicketless session for Australia, another fine session for India as Cheteshwar Pujara and Wriddhiman Saha continue to torment Aussies in Ranchi. The duo has added 175 runs together as India cross 500-run mark. Pujara, who has played 505 balls - most by an Indian batsman - for his 190-run unbeaten innings, has been batting since the final session on Day 2 and is now just 10 runs away from securing his third Test double hundred as Wriddhiman Saha, who is unbeaten on 99, is just a run away from notching up his 3rd Test ton.
India 484/6 from 181 overs:
Although the run-rate has dipped, Pujara and Saha have continued their good work as Australia's luck with DRS, on Day 4, goes from bad to worse.
India 466/6 from 171 overs:
No signs of trouble for Saha and Pujara as they bat on and frustrate Australia. Saha moving closer to 80-run mark, Pujara a four away from 180. India in command.
India 452/6 from 166 overs:
India in lead now and they still have 4 wickets in hand. If India manage to secure 100 or more runs lead, it will be a really difficult task for Australia. All and all, India in a strong position from where they can dominate the proceedings.
India 435/6 from 161 overs:
LUNCH! 75 runs without losing a wicket and just 16 runs away from Australia's first-innings total of 451; India have clearly dominated the first session. Australia had their moments but they could not cash in when the opportunity knocked on the door. Pujara is batting on 164 and Saha is on 59. India have a realistic chance to secure a big lead and shut out Australia's chances to win this Test.
India 419/6 from 154 overs:
150 for Pujara! This man's hunger to get big hundreds is just unbelievable! Kohli is really happy to see Pujara bringing up his 150, Kumble, Jadeja applaud the effort and the entire dressing room must be applauding too. Saha, meanwhile, has brought up his fifty. Gritty and important contribution from the wicketkeeper-batsman.
India 397/6 from 145 overs:
India move closer to 400 as Pujara, Saha continue to frustrate Australia on Day 4 of the Test. Pujara has also within touching distance to bring up his 150.
India 378/6 from 137 overs:
Pujara and Saha have brought up 50-run stand as India move closer to 380-run mark. Although Saha was adjudged out LBW by on-field umpire, the decision was eventually overturned as the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman opted for a review. Meanwhile, Pujara is doing what he does the best; playing solid cricket and not offering Australia any chance. Good start for India on Day 4.
Ranchi: A lot will depend on how Cheteshwar Pujara and the Indian lower middle order as the Virat Kohli-led side looks to get past Australia first innings total of 451 and secure a significant lead as they resume play on the overnight score of 360 for 6, 91 runs behind Australia's total, on Day 4 of the third Test in MS Dhoni’s hometown on Sunday.
However, it won’t be a walk in the park as Pat Cummins, who has been easily Australia’s best bowler in this Test, will be looking to carry forward his good work and trouble the Indian batsmen alongside Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Steve O’Keefe and Glenn Maxwell.
While both the team had their share of dominance through the first 3 days of the Test, the match has remained in balance. However, Day 4 could well open up the third Test at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) International Stadium and the Indian fans will be delighted if happens to be in Team India’s favour.
