Australia vs India, 2nd Test: 5 talking points from Day 3

Australia v India - 2nd Test: Day 3

If Day 2 was owned by India after a shift of powers from Australia on Day 1, things changed back to the favour of the hosts once again, as far as the play on Day 3 was concerned.

Australia were able to bowl India out for a 43-run lead in the first innings, which they then proceed to extend by another 132 runs for the fall of four wickets, during their second chance to bat.

With roughly 180 overs of play remaining across two days, Australia already have 175 runs in their bank with six wickets remaining. They have the best parts of Day 4 to post anything around 300 runs as a stiff target for India to chase.

Meanwhile, let us take a look at five main points of discussion from what transpired during the action on Day 3, at the Perth Optus Stadium.


#1. Kohli continues to be India's best chance this series

Kohli was at his job once again
Kohli was at his job once again

Indian skipper Virat Kohli ended Day 2 on 82*, with the steady hands of Ajinkya Rahane on 51* to keep him company from today morning. But the latter couldn't add another run to his overnight score and perished early, but Kohli kept the Indian ship steady.

The captain eventually reached the magical mark of three figures, his 25th in the format and sixth in Australia. India's chances were well and alive as long as Kohli batted, and fans really did not even seem to mind the likes of Rahane or Vihari departing after short stints today.

Kohli eventually returned to the hut after a controversial decision taken against him, on-field and third umpires deciding that the catch taken by Handscomb at slips was clean although the ball appeared to kiss the ground before the fielder wrapped his palms around it. With Kohli (123 off 257, 13*4, 1*6) no longer around, India fumbled and eventually fell earlier than expected.

The innings proved that Virat Kohli continues to hold the key to India's survival and possible triumph in the series - a lesson that Aussie bowlers definitely took from today's game.

#2. Indian tail-end fumbles yet again

Indian tail-enders couldn't resist the Australian attack
Indian tail-enders couldn't resist the Australian attack

As it was mentioned in the talking-points for Day 1, the unique batting contests between Australian lower order and the Indian lower order continued to determine who stood on top at the end.

Australia were 251/6 on Day 1, after which the tail gathered 75 runs more before the innings ended. Interestingly, India were also 251/6 today as Virat Kohli fell, but the rest of the batsmen that followed could make only 32 runs before they caved in.

In a way, it can hence be said that it was the tailenders' batting that decided who advanced into the second innings with an air of domination. And Australia's Paine, Cummins, Starc, Lyon and Hazlewood did a better job than India's Pant, Shami, Ishant, Umesh and Bumrah.

Ishant and Shami in particular, fell for lame shots while Pant threw away his wicket, despite being a batsman who should have known how to utilise his time with the lower order. Their lack of responsibility resulted in India's end coming prematurely, the 43-runs lead giving the hosts a very healthy start to their second chance.

#3. Nathan Lyon's off-spin proves vital for Australia

Lyon bagged another fifer against India
Lyon bagged another fifer against India

Nathan Lyon is more or less the best off-spinner among presently active bowlers, and his efforts on the pitch secure the point with much grace.

Lyon was wicketless on Day 2, but he ended the drought soon after the game began earlier today, by sending Rahane packing in the fourth ball. After a brief hiatus which saw Vihari and Kohli being cleaned up by Hazlewood and Cummins respectively, Lyon then made a comeback and wiped out the rest of the squad, pocketing the wickets of Shami, Ishant, Pant, and Bumrah in a space of just 31 runs.

Nathan Lyon's effectiveness with the ball will cast more than a slight shadow of doubt on Kohli's mind, on whether he missed a trick by not including one of his own in the lineup. Jadeja could have replaced the injured Ashwin, but the green surface on Perth had forced India to field four pacers, using Vihari as their spin back up.

In their return with the ball, the Indian pacers again failed to produce the much-needed breaks, while Vihari came in whenever he could and decelerated the hosts' scoring rate. How effective will Lyon be, when India chases a target on Days 4 and 5, is all that remains to be seen.

#4. Australian top-order contained by Indian pace bowling

Indian bowlers kept the Aussies at bay
Indian bowlers kept the Aussies at bay

Though the Indian pacers failed to create enough breakthroughs in the form of early wickets, they can be a tad satisfied that they did rattle the Australian top-order to an extent. Shami and Ishant kept finding the edges of Harris' and Finch's willows, and it was some kind fortune that prevented them from carrying straight to the fielders.

Bumrah meanwhile, was consistently pacy. On one particular occasion, he even bowled a whole over above 141kmph, and his pace restrained the Aussie openers from carrying things about on their own free will.

Eventually, Bumrah was the one who found a way in by dismissing Harris. Shami and Ishant kept testing the batsmen from other end and sent Shaun Marsh, Handscomb and Travis Head back to the pavilion before any serious damage was done.

At the end of Day 3, Shami has 2 wickets while Ishant and Bumrah have one apiece. In addition, Aaron Finch also got retired hurt when a Shami bouncer inadvertently caught his fingers. It is yet to be seen whether he will bat tomorrow or not.

If the Indian pacers can extend their run tomorrow and produce a better result, India may even hope of scripting the first Test win in the new Perth venue

#5. All-round efforts keep Australia in the driving seat ahead of Day 4

Australia have their noses ahead at Stumps on Day 3
Australia have their noses ahead at Stumps on Day 3

Some disciplined bowling by Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc and Lyon gave the hosts a lead of 43 runs. In their second essay with the bat, the likes of Marcus Harris (20), Aaron Finch (25 retd. hurt), Usman Khawaja (41*) helped them post 132/4 at the end of the day's play.

The lead has swelled to 175 as of now. Another 100-120 runs on board could be a safe bet for the Aussies to go out and field in the fourth inning with a lot of confidence.

It is still early to speak of the game result, but seeing the action that unfurled today, Tim Paine's side is definitely ahead in the game.

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Edited by Kumud Ranjan