The wickets of Jadeja were first innings centuries, Steve Smith and Travis Head. Nevertheless, catches were dropped on the third day, wickets were taken at no-balls, and shots were fired in haste, which culminated in Australia ending their second innings at 123/4 with a lead of 296 runs.
As it happened: WTC Final, Day 3
Facing an uphill battle, India suffered an early blow when Scott Boland demolished the stumps off Sreekar Bharath on the second ball of the day. With a deficit of 317 runs and only four wickets remaining in their first innings, India’s prospects looked grim. however, Ajinkya Rahane And Shardul Thakur Australia took advantage of mistakes during a strong 109-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Rahane top-scored with a knock of 89 while Thakur contributed a crucial half-century. His performance put India ahead of the follow-on before being bowled out for 296 in total.
Australian captain Pat Cummins was instrumental in India’s collapse in their first innings, taking 3/83 from his 20 overs. However, his figures could have been even more impressive if not for the six no-balls. Australia’s scorecard showed 2/1 when David Warner, under pressure after a heavy innings, was caught behind by Mohammad Siraj.
Warner’s opening partner Usman Khawaja failed to make a significant contribution for the second time in the match. On 13, he carelessly got Umesh Yadav caught by wicket-keeper Bharat, which became his first wicket of the final.
After this, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja stepped forward by dismissing the dangerous pair of Smith and Head. However, both the batsmen played a part in their respective dismissals. Smith, who had spent five-and-a-half hours at the crease en route to his maiden innings century, gifted his wicket by delivering 34 off a drive sky-high to Jadeja at cover. The architect of Australia’s strong position in the final with his dynamic 163, Head continued his aggressive approach but fell for a quick 18 as he shot against the turn by giving Jadeja a straight return catch.
At 111/4, Australia took a 284-run lead against an Indian side that missed the services of top-ranked Test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin was dropped in favor of an additional seamer.
Rahane and Thakur both suffered painful injuries during the match. Also, Thakur was dropped twice while in single figures, with a direct chance by Cameron Green off the bowling of Cummins.
In an eventful session before lunch, Thakur survived a lbw appeal from Cummins as a review of the batsman revealed a no-ball. Rahane, who had earlier escaped lbw thanks to another no-ball from Cummins, brought up his half-century off 92 balls with a beautifully timed six, which drew thunderous applause from the Indian fans amid a crowd of over 25,000. Hui.
However, Rahane’s hopes of reaching his first Test century in over a year were dashed when a brilliant diving catch by Cameron Green off Cummins dismissed him for 89.
In form of WTC Final In its closing stages, Australia have maintained their dominant position despite resistance from India and the impact made by Jadeja.
(With inputs from AFP)