3rd Test, Sydney, January 07, 2021, 05:00 AM
Australia
338/10(105.4ov) & 312/6(87.0ov)
India
244/10(100.4ov) & 334/5(131.0ov)
Australia drew with India
That is it from this game. It was a hard-fought game here in Sydney and this further creates an environment for the final Test. There were speculations of the final Test to be played at Sydney only after the Indian team's unwillingness to travel to Brisbane. But everything is sorted out as it is confirmed that the final Test will be played as per schedule at the Woolloongabba in Brisbane on Friday, 15th January 2021. Join us for that at 1000 local (1200 GMT). Till then, take care and cheers!
Australia skipper, Tim Paine says that they created enough chances to go for the win. Mentions that the bowlers bowled well and the dropped catches did not do their cause. He mentions that they are back as a batting unit and the bowlers created opportunities and says that it was a whole-hearted effort from the boys. He says that the young guys coming into the team were just brilliant and they look forward to the Brisbane Test.
India skipper, Ajinkya Rahane says that it was all about character and is really happy with the way they played. Mentions that there are a few things which they need to look at. He says that Rishabh Pant's innings was one of a kind as he played an attacking innings. Praises the efforts of Vihari and Ashwin. Mentions that Pant is fine and injuries are something that they cannot control. On Vihari's availability for the last Test, he mentions that it will be assessed before they take a call for the final Test at Brisbane.
STEVEN SMITH IS NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH! He says that it was a hard-fought game. India fought hard as the bowlers kept running into them. Says that the pitch was placid and there was less uneven bounce than they expected. Mentions that a century is always special at his home ground but says that he would have loved it if they had won. Ends by saying that he just absorbed the pressure and just observed the ball and played at it.
India began the chase of 407 on a positive note as Gill and Sharma managed to stitch a 71-run stand for the first wicket. Though Gill departed Sharma got to his first Test fifty as an opener in an overseas Test but he too could not continue as he departed after getting to his milestone. Pujara and Rahane saw of the day for the visitors as they took the game into day 5. Needing 309 runs for victory on Day 5 what unfolded was a sheer cricketing action of the highest level as the game ran down the entire day to end in a stalemate. To know the Man of the Match and captain insights, stay tuned for presentations...
Australia second innings was all about Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith as they once again added a 100-run stand as they both got to their respective fifties. Further to go by Cameron Green's maiden Test fifty and Tim Paine's 39 off 52 balls meant that Australia ended with 312 runs as they declared with a lead of 406 runs. Once again the Indian bowlers were on the receiving end as they were milked for runs. Bumrah and Siraj ended with a wicket each while Saini and Ashwin managed to get a couple to their name.
India's reply in the first innings started with new opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill stitching a 70-run stand. Though Rohit departed, Gill showed his mettle as an international player as he brought his maiden Test fifty. Soon after that, he departed to hand Australia the advantage as they lost two quick wickets. Pant and Pujara steadied the ship for the visitors with a 50-run stand but once Pant departed it was a matter of time as India folded for 244 runs handing Australia a 94-run lead. Some lower-order hitting from Ravindra Jadeja ensured the lead for Australia was well below 100 runs. He though suffered a fracture and a dislocated left thumb after coping a blow from a Starc bumper. For Australia, with the ball, it was Pat Cummins who wreaked havoc in the Indian camp with a 4-fer as Hazlewood managed to get a couple and Starc managed a wicket only.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Australia began poorly with Warner sent packing but then came the rain and it washed out a majority of the day. Only 55 overs were possible as debutant Will Pucovski and Marnus Labuschagne saw off the day for the hosts. The debutant though ended with a score of fifty on Day 1 to hand the hosts the advantage. Further going into Day 2, Australia found contributions from Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith as the latter got to his 27th Test ton but the former missed out his by just 9 runs. Some lower-order hitting from Starc meant that Australia ended with 338 on the board. The Indian bowling was taken for runs as all the bowlers leaked runs. Ravindra Jadeja was the star for them as he ended with a 4-fer as Ashwin went wicketless. Bumrah and Saini ended with a couple as Siraj had just one to his name.
Day 5 started on the right note for the hosts as they sent the Indian skipper back into the hut early but little did they know of what was going to come their way. Out walked Rishabh Pant and what unleashed was as pure brutal innings from him. He took a special liking to Lyon as he carted him all over the place. His attacking innings helped India gain the momentum going into the second session of the final day. He along with Pujara not only kept the Australian attack at bay but took them out too. Pant got to his half ton and was on course of a well-deserved ton but fell short by 3 runs. Pujara batted the way he does the best as he too notched up his fifty. Just when he was going good playing out the new ball, Hazlewood came in and ended his stay in the middle. Vihari coming in after Pant and with lack of form started nervously before picking out a hamstring injury while going for a run with Pujara at the other end. Since Pujara's dismissal, the game changed completely as they batted out for a draw.
Going into the final session, India needed to play out 35 overs with Vihari and Ashwin unbeaten and 5 wickets in the bag for them. What unfolded was a typical old school style of batting as Vihari and Ashwin managed to keep everything out that was thrown at them. Ashwin though showed a lot of grit and determination as despite taking a lot of blows onto his body he hung around to see India home with a draw. Australia bowling their hearts out there tried everything they could or was in their hand but they failed to breach the defenses of the two Indian batsmen out there. To add to their woes dropped catches added insult to injury as Paine dropped three and Abbott substituting for Will Pucovski dropped Ashwin early in his innings. In the end, India managed to get away with a draw with one Test to play for.
What a Test match we have had. Kudos to Vihari and Ashwin for hanging in there to eke out a draw as the players shake hands with just six balls remaining of the mandatory overs. A special praise for Vihari for showing grit and fight despite suffering a hamstring injury early in his innings. A brilliant 5 days of a Test match, a true entertainment. We have seen rain, run scoring, collapse, dropped catches, fightback, resilience and what not. Australia would be the disappointed of the two sides as they let the game slip from the point where they could have had the result in their favour. A moral victory for India going ahead into the final Test.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
4
Mitchell Starc 66/0(22)
130.6
.
Length delivery on off, Vihari keeps it out. THE MATCH ENDS IN A DRAW!
130.5
.
Outside off, Vihari shoulders arms to this one.
130.4
.
BEATEN AGAIN! Good length delivery outside off, Vihari looks to defend but misses it.
130.3
.
BEATEN! Good length ball outside off, Vihari looks to defend but misses it due to the inward movement on this one.
130.2
.
Back of a length on off, Vihari defends it to covers.
130.1
4
FOUR! Full on leg, Vihari flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary.
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