Published - | Updated - March 2, 2023 10:22 am
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India needed a solid start with the ball in the current third Test in Indore after being knocked out for just 109 runs in the first innings, but Australia gave them absolutely no chance. The Steve Smith-led team had a 47-run advantage at the end of Day 1 and was in control, but on Day 2, the Indian bowlers took over and picked off wickets one after another.
Until experienced spinner Ravichandran Ashwin defeated him with a peach of a delivery, middle-order threat Peter Handscomb was steadily forming a partnership with Cameron Green. A fuller delivery from Ashwin, who was bowling around the stumps, struck the edge of Handscomb’s bat and resulted in a legal catch for the bowler.Short fine leg Shreyas Iyer.
The 31-year-old was then dismissed for 19, and Australia’s batting order quickly fell apart after that.
Australia’s first-inning lead is 88 runs.
Green was similarly cheaply sent back to the pavilion not long after Handscomb was removed. After the first innings, the team led by Steve Smith scored 197 runs, losing only six wickets for a total of 11 runs. Umesh Yadav, a fast bowler, had a brilliant first session of the day, taking three wickets and only allowing 12 runs to be scored in his five overs.
On Day 2, Ravichandran Ashwin also appeared very brilliant in addition to Umesh. The spin wizard scored three points for Australia.Lower order was totally confused.
Australia will however be quite satisfied with their comfortable 88-run lead. The management will expect for a similar performance from their spinners Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon, who were outstanding on the first day, to keep India under strain and confine them to a low score in order to make a comeback in the storied Border-Gavaskar series.