AUS vs IND Day 3 Preview
AUS vs IND Day 3 Preview, AUS vs IND Day 3 Match Details, WTC 2023 Finals Day 3 What to expect?, What to expect from AUS vs IND Day 3 Match?, Australia vs India Day 3 Preview, World Test Championship Day 3 Update.
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Australia started day 2 in a comfortable position. They had racked up 327 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. With two set batters going great guns, India was staring at a long day in sunny conditions at the Oval. The batters started off in great fashion scoring 34 runs in the first 6 overs. Mohammad Siraj then produced a wicket out of nowhere to dismiss Travis Head. Australia lost 4 wickets for 95 runs in the opening session.
Australia stretches their score to 469:
Axar Patel who was substituting for Mohammad Shami affected a brilliant runout to dismiss Mitchell Starc. At that moment it appeared India might bowl out Australia for less than 425-430. But Alex Carey played, missed, and edged his way through to 48 taking Australia’s total past 450. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon provided decent company as Australia was eventually bowled out for 469.
A huge total considering the pitch and the conditions:
India appeared to have made a comeback of sorts as they picked the last 7 wickets for 108 runs. But in all fairness, Australia had already inflicted enough damage on a wicket that isn’t the most easiest to bat on. There was variable bounce throughout and the ball kept seaming from time to time. It took the enterprising cricket of Head to power Australia onto a dominant position. They had their energies up when they came out to bowl.
Indian openers and their setup:
Indian bowlers on day 1 were guilty of not sticking to a plan. They kept spraying the ball on both sides of the wicket and offered plenty of loose deliveries. The Australian counterparts immediately knew what needs to be done on a helpful surface like this.
After India had scored 23 runs in the first 4 overs, Pat Cummins brought in Scott Boland to bring in control. A maiden over from Boland set things up for Cummins from the other end.
The Aussie captain got one to nip back ever so slightly and Rohit Sharma missed the line completely. Boland picked up Shubman Gill in the very next over with a wonderful setup. India from 23-0 went to 30-2 inside 6 overs.
Australia stuck to bowling at the stumps:
Boland’s strength is his ability to bowl in one place ball after ball. He kept a tight leash on the proceedings. Runs were hard to come in a tense period before tea. Australia gave Cameroon Green the ball soon after tea. India found a way to score off his first over. But in the very next over, Cheteshwar Pujara suffered a brain fade moment when he didn’t offer a shot to Green’s incoming ball. India lost their top order for just 50.
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane looked relaxed during their brief partnership. Starc produced a ripper that took off from good length to dismiss Kohli. Ravindra Jadeja entertained with a spirited 48 but got out to Nathan Lyon before stumps.
What’s in store for India on day 3?
India is 151-5 and needs 118 more runs to avoid the follow-on. Rahane and Srikar Bharat are the last recognized batting pair at the crease. If India’s decision to exclude Ravichandran Ashwin haunted them while bowling, it is bound to hurt them more during their batting essay. Ashwin has handled many rearguards against Australia but he will be confined to the sidelines this time. It is a very tall road ahead for India with the ignominy of a follow-on looming large. If India throws in the towel, the game might wrap up today itself!
