Brisbane: After getting an overall lead of 97 runs in first innings, Australia would look to dominate India further with the ball and put the visitors under pressure on the start of Day 4 in their second innings.
A good partnership from Dhawan-Pujara could set the platform for the likes of Kohli and Rahane and tilt the balance back in India's favour. Early breakthroughs on Day 4 would see the hosts take firm control of the game.
Dhawan poked and prodded at a few, left the others, but he is still out there, unbeaten on 26. India will look up to Dhawan and Pujara to carry on and build a solid lead tomorrow.
It was Lyon and Hazlewood show who joined in the fun, propelling Australia past the 500-mark. Early on Steven Smith raised his bat to become the first player since Greg Chappell to make a century in his debut Test innings as Australian captain. Mitch Johnson and Mitch Starc also contributed, scoring fifties to punish the Indian bowlers, who lacked penetration.
The game is still nicely poised. Vijay, who has been good at leaving balls outside off, ironically misjudged one and played on. Since then, Dhawan and Pujara have stayed put to guide India to 71/1, narrowing down the deficit to 26.
STUMPS DAY 3
India 71/1 after 23 overs (trail by 26 runs)
Dhawan 26 (65), Pujara 15 (35)
Pujara hit Johnson for a boundary past gully before Johnson bowled a maiden over to finish the third day.
India 65/1 after 20 overs (trail by 32 runs)
Dhawan 24 (59), Pujara 11 (23)
India lost the wicket of in-form Murali Vijay early, Pujara and Dhawan are battling it out to survive the 15 minutes of play left in the day. They can't afford to lose one more. Both the batsmen are now playing it safe, not taking risky singles. They seem to be in no hurry to score runs.
India 53/1 after 15 overs (trail by 44 runs)
Dhawan 17 (39), Pujara 6 (13)
There was a huge appeal for caught behind by the players but umpire Erasmus ignored it. Short ball from Watson was played by Dhawan who tried to hook but gets the touch of helmet to the keeper. Watson and Starc both are on fire and bowled beautiful deliveries to beat both the batsmen outside off, missing the stumps.
Cheteshwar Pujara comes in at no. 3
India 41/1 after 10.3 overs
Murali Vijay b Starc 27 (39)
OUT! Bowled him! Starc gets the big man Murali Vijay. It was pitched outside off leaving Vijay in a dilemma whether to play or not but he was late in judging and the ball gets the edge onto the stumps. Another failure for Indian openers leaving the Indian crowd stunned.
India 41/0 after 10 overs (trail by 56 runs)
Vijay 27 (36), Dhawan 12 (25)
Good start for India after the first 10 overs. Their run rate is above 4 runs per over and Vijay again looking strong. They would be relieved they had a start they wanted without losing a wicket. Starc and Watson bowled couple of tight overs conceding just one run each. They will certainly not take risk to hit every ball. A satisfied beginning for the openers and they really need to rise from here.
India 27/0 after 5 overs (trail by 70 runs)
Vijay 21 (19), Dhawan 5 (12)
A decent and cautious start by the openers after a dismal bowling performance. They needed to be defensive and they are defensive. Johnson started off with a maiden over but was smashed for couple of back to back boundaries by Vijay. Australian pacer didn't have desired start yet again. Hazlewood continues to bowl with good line just outside the off stump. The pitch is lively and it is still helping batsmen the most. But it depends on Indian batsmen how they make the most out of it.
Vijay takes the guard and as always Johnson to start proceedings for Australia.
Players are back on the field and openers Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay are making their way to the middle.
India to begin their second innings in few moments.
The openers need to give India a solid start and on the other hand Australia would look to pick minimum 2 or 3 wickets to put India under immense pressue. At this time we cannot say that the match is evenly poised.
Now everything depends upon Indian batsmen how they go through this third session.
Ashwin shows a sign of relief after getting last Aussie wicket.
Both the teams played 109.4 overs in the first innings but the total is far more different. In reply to India's 408, Australia finished their innings minutes after tea break at the score of 505 leading India by 97 runs.
Australia 505 all out after 109.4 overs.
Single on the first ball by Starc brings up the 50 run partnership before Ashwin bowled Starc out for 52. Hazlewood remained unbeaten at 32.
Mitchell Starc has the strike and Ashwin gets ready to bowl.
Players are back on the field.
The third and final session of the day is about to begin.
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The third session will be more crucial to India. The batsmen need to survive a session day today and whole 4th day tomorrow in order to stay alive in the match. Openers are not giving proper start, lower order and tailenders are contantly failing; with just three or four batsmen batting well, it will become difficult to save the match.
The two things which could save India from another defeat are their batsmen and the rain off which there are no signs.
It is disappointing for India that where the Australian debutant Josh Hazlewood took 5 wickets, on the same pitch with same conditions Indian pacers who have experience are struggling for wickets. Looking at the Aussies, it seems like they are aiming to go 2-0 up in the series but with the kind of play Indian bowlers have shown, it might get difficult for India to even draw the match.
Australia 503/9 after 109 overs
Starc 51 (57), Hazlewood 31 (48)
The two "batsmen" Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are though slow in scoring runs. But the kind of off-drives Hazlewood played down the ground for two back to back boundaries off Ishant Sharma, that's really not the shots of no. 11 batsman. Hazlewood scored two more consecutive fours again off Ravichandran Ashwin before Mitchell Starc gets his maiden half century in test cricket off just 53 balls. Both the tailenders built 49 run partnership off 76 balls for the last wicket and took Australian total past 500 before the tea break with an overall lead of 95 runs. Few inside edges that went for boundaries are hurting India as salt on their wounds. There were couple of occasions when the catches were missed by the fielders or the lbw appeals were turned down.
Australia 465/9 after 100 overs
Starc 40 (38), Hazlewood 5 (13)
Wicket of Lyon had put slight control on the flow of runs. There was a chance to bowl out Australia when Hazlewood got an outside but fell just short of Ashwin at slips. Not much to expect from tailenders but here the scene is different. They are not playing at all as the tailenders.
Josh Hazlewood is the last man in.
Australia 454/9 after 97 overs
Indian tailenders should learn something from Australian tailenders, how they batted. Starc and Lyon built a half century partnership before Varun Aaron dismissed Nathan Lyon in a slightly pitched up delivery. It was mistimed, and through the bottom edge it went to Rohit at mid-on. All the Australian batsmen have assaulted Indian bowlers like Varun Aaron, Ravi Ashwin and Ishant. They are feeling helpless and clueless that where to ball. They are having no control over line and length. It seems like Johnson and Starc are filling up now after not performing with the ball. Mitchell Starc is scoring at the strike rate of above 100. It's getting more and more frustrating for Indian bowlers. The match is going away from India.
Australia 454/9
Nathan Lyon c Rohit b Aaron 23
OUT! finally a wicket of a tailender! Lyon tried to go over mid-on...gets a bottom edge and straight to Rohit Sharma at mid-on. Aaron gets his man after the damage has already been done.
Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon started to build a partnership once again to take Australia get pass the Indian total of 408 at Drinks Break after 93rd over.
The second session started with Johnson and Smith hammering Indian bowlers all around the ground once again. Steven Smith after getting to his 10th century in his maiden test as a skipper was finally bowled out by Ishant Sharma who had been struggling all the way with no-balls and inconsistent line and length. In his innings of 133 off 191 balls he hit 13 fours and 2 sixes. Mitchell Johnson who was not able to impress with his bowling, supported Smith very well for the 148 runs stand for 7th wicket. He fell just 12 short of his 2nd test century. Ishant gets rid of him as well. He found an outside edge to Dhoni and sent back to pavilion for 88 off 93 balls including 13 fours and 1 six. He was dismissed when the Australian score was 395 and Smith follows him back minutes after at the score of 398 in the same over.
Australia 381/6 after 85 overs
Steven Smith 125 (182), Mitchell Johnson 82 (86)
Mitchell Johnson is eyeing his second test century as he is on 82, just 18 short. Ishant Sharma kept the line tight for him in 84th over bowling a maiden. However runs from Yadav's end continues to flow.
Second new ball has been taken by India and Umesh Yadav has been put into the attack
Australia 367/6 after 80 overs
Steven Smith 118 (166), Mitchell Johnson 75 (72)
Dhoni made a surprise bowling change by bringing in Rohit Sharma into the attack after Ashwin started the first over after lunch with a maiden. It has been a silent start by the Aussies in five over in second session however a boundary was scored by Johnson off Rohit in his second over.
Mitchell Johnson all set to take strike and Ashwin to bowl the first over of post lunch session
Second session will be underway in moments.
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The second session will be a cracker. It would be interesting to know how far Australia bats.
Ishant Sharma has no control over his foot. Big no-balls seems to have become his issue.
Johnson seemed to have been fired up by the comments and went after the bowling. The short ball tactic didn't work against him and runs bled. Smith at the other end was patiently watching everything and soon got a hundred on captaincy debut. This stand has been worth 104 so far and the deficit stands at 57 right now.
India have spoiled their good start after picking two quick wickets of Mitchell Marsh and Brad Haddin. Australia have scored 130 runs in just 23 overs despite losing two quick wickets of Mitchell Marsh and Brad Haddin.
LUNCH BREAK
Australia 351/6 after 75 overs
Steven Smith 110 (155), Mitchell Johnson 67 (53)
Runs are flowing for Australia. Batsmen are really digging the bowlers in. Steven Smith brings up his 6th test hundred in style carting a beautiful boundary over mid-off. Century for him on his captaincy debut. Johnson is in the show as well and supporting Smith well to put on a strong stand. He smashed Aaron who just arrived back on the field for three consecutive fours to complete his 10th test half century in just 37 balls. The partnership is now worth 104 off just 87 deliveries.
Australia 311/6 after 70 overs
Steven Smith 96 (142), Mitchell Johnson 42 (35)
India have lost some momentum after Haddin's wicket. They had the Aussies on the mat when Haddin got out, but Aaron seemingly injured his left shoulder and has gone off. Australia have cashed in off some lose stuff from Ishant Sharma. The partnership is already 64 runs off just 56 deliveries. Johnson may have not impressed with the ball but he is really doing good with the bat. He had a big smile on his face after hitting Umesh Yadav for three boundaries in an over. Smith too is just 4 short of his test century on captaincy debut.
Australia 276/6 after 65 overs
Steven Smith 86 (129), Mitchell Johnson 19 (17)
Smith is going good as he was yesterday and Mitchell Johnson has taken the charge as well smashing two back to back boundaries of Ishant Sharma. He carted maximum balls on the leg side. Varun Aaron looked in a bit of discomfort after landing badly on his followthrough. Although he sent Haddin back to the pavilion getting India its 2nd success this morning.
Mitchell Johnson is the next batsman in at no. 8
Australia 247/6
Brad Haddin c Pujara b Aaron 6
OUT! Aaron has struck for India. Haddin was in some kind of trouble. He had been struggling since his arrival. Good bouncer by Aaron. Haddin offered the bat as shield and it lobbed straight to Pujara at short leg who takes a good catch.
Australia 247/5 after 60 overs
Steven Smith 78 (115), Brad Haddin 6 (11)
It has been a very good morning for India picking up Mitchell Marsh early. Ishant Sharma started really well dimissing Mitch Marsh in the 5th over of the day. He has no control over no-balls but is constantly troubling the batsmen with his line and length. Brad Haddin survived two close lbw appeals after umpire turned them down. Varun Aaron on the other end is too pitching the ball on right areas but it seems runs are easy to get off his over.
Brad Haddin comes in at no. 7
Australia 232/5
Mitchell Marsh b Ishant Sharma 11
OUT! Early wicket for India. The line working for Ishant. Not much bounce, the ball angled in and the ball shattered the stumps. That was the poor leave by Mitch Marsh. Good start for India.
Australia 226/4 after 55 overs
Steven Smith 70 (102), Mitchell Marsh 7 (26)
Varun Aaron joins Ishant from other end and had a very reasonable over conceding just one. He had pace and bounce discomforting Mitch Marsh. Ishant Sharma also kept it tight and gave just 4 runs in 2 overs to Smith.
Steven Smith takes his guard and Ishant Sharma will start proceedings for India.
Indians are in a huddle and Aussie batsmen are already their on the middle.
On the other hand, India would first look to bowl Aussies out in the first session itself and restrict them from taking a lead. Ishant Sharma after having a poor day, would expect for a good performance today.
Australia must be having a total of 500+ in the innings but they need to build up this partnership if they want to get to this milestone. Haddin is the only batsman left in their line-up.
Smith will be the key on today's morning. He is unbeaten on 65 with Mitchell Marsh on other end at 7.
Indian bowlers were not upto the mark, though they dominated the third session.
The two Indian bowlers who Ashwin and Umesh Yadav who were ignored in Adelaide test shared the 4 wickets together. Ishant Sharma who was the most successful bowler in first test is now punished by Steven Smith and co.
Ashwin's choice for the match has turned out to be positive in place Karn Sharma. He has kept the run-rate under control.
Indians are still in ahead in the match as Australia trails by 187 runs.
The day 2 was stopped due to bad light before the scheduled closing time, umpires called it stumps straightaway.
