India vs Australia, Highlights, 4th Test at Brisbane, Day 3, Full Cricket Score: Harris, Warner guide hosts to 20/0 at stumps

Most 5-fors for Australia against India in Tests:

7 : Nathan Lyon
5 : R Benaud 
4 : G McKenzie, Josh Hazlewood*

After 6 overs, Australia 21/0 ( Marcus Harris 1 , David Warner 20)

Looks like this will be the final over of the day. Natarajan with the ball, hasn’t really bowled wicket to wicket. He’s mostly stuck to outside off deliveries that have tailed away from the two left hander’s. One run off the over.

After 5 overs,Australia 20/0 ( Marcus Harris 1 , David Warner 19)

A slip and a silly-point in place. Bowling change for India as Washington comes into the attack. Warner waits for the fourth delivery and cuts it for a triple. Three off the over.

After 4 overs,Australia 17/0 ( Marcus Harris 1 , David Warner 16)

Natarajan continues. Clocking 130-135 kph, that’s been his average speed. Catches Warner off guard with a beautiful outswinger that beats Warner’s outside edge. Four runs off the over.

After 3 overs,Australia 13/0 ( Marcus Harris 0 , David Warner 13)

Siraj continues and Warner shows his might with the bat as he collects three consecutive boundaries. A pull shot, a cut, and a drive down the ground fetched him those boundaries. 12 off the over.

After 2 overs,Australia 1/0 ( Marcus Harris 0 , David Warner 1)

T Natarajan comes into the attack. Gets nice shape off the first two, the ball tailing away from Warner, his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate. Warner would have faced Natarajan in the nets. Risky run for Warner, he was itching to get off the strike. Direct hit and he was gone. Lucky to survive there, Warner. Just one off the over.

After 1 over ,Australia 0/0 ( Marcus Harris 0 , David Warner 0)

Siraj takes the new ball. Once again, India will be expecting him to provide an early breakthrough. Tidy over this, barring a down leg delivery to Harris off the fifth. Maiden over.

India captain is impressed

Outstanding application and belief by @Sundarwashi5 and @imShard. This is what test cricket is all about. Washy top composure on debut and tula parat maanla re Thakur! 👏👌

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 17, 2021

IND 336 after 111.4 overs

Right, India have been bundled out for 336, but just a 33-run lead for the Australians. Some fightback this from the visitors, with half-centurions Sundar and Shardul leading the charge.

Highest partnership average for India for any wicket in this Test series:

4th : 58.66
6th : 44.40
7th : 36.00*

After 111 overs,India 332/9 ( Mohammed Siraj 9 , T Natarajan 1)

Starc in action. He’s made a reputation of running through the opposition’s lower order. Short stuff to unsettle Natarajan, clocking in excess of 145 on occasion. A fuller delivery from Starc off the fifth, Natarajan does well to fend it. A yorker to end the over, it hits Natarajan on the pads but was going down leg. Maiden over.

After 110 overs,India 332/9 ( Mohammed Siraj 9 , T Natarajan 1)

Starc comes into the attack. Their eyes have lit up.  Tailenders at the crease and their approach is pretty clear, they’re not gonna hang around for long. Natarajan, the new man, collects his first run in Test cricket off the fourth. Four runs off the over.  India trail by 37 runs.

After 109 overs,India 328/9 ( Mohammed Siraj 6 , T Natarajan 0)

Starc returns to the attack and he removes the well-set Sundar for 62. Sundar tries to run the ball towards third man but in the end, a catch for Green at gully. Two runs off the over. How long can India last here?

Opposition pairs with century stands at Gabba for 7th or lower wickets in Tests:

Joey Carew/Clive Lloyd, 1968 
PA de Silva/Ravi Ratnayeke, 1989
Washington Sundar/Shardul Thakur, 2020*

After 108 overs,India 326/8 ( Washington Sundar 60 , Mohammed Siraj 6)

The bouncer barrage continues. And Hazlewood gets rewarded with the wicket of Saini. The outside edge flew to Smith at second slip. Siraj gets off the mark off the very first ball, after running the ball down to third man for a boundary. Six runs off the over.

After 107 overs,India 320/7 ( Washington Sundar 60 , Navdeep Saini 5)

Cummins steaming in. Clearly the short ball ploy at work, Cummins directing bouncers into the body of Sundar. The left-hander was hit twice in the over. But kept a poker face. Might get a look in from the physio here. Just one off the over.

After 106 overs,India 319/7 ( Washington Sundar 60 , Navdeep Saini 4)

Bowling change as Hazlewood returns to the attack. Sundar has to take majority of the strike now as the set batsman. Fails to penetrate the field in that over. Maiden over. India trail by 50 runs.

Grit on display

Well done @Sundarwashi5 Rahul Dravid told me in Bangladesh during U19 WC that he was the man to watch with bat.. was speaking of temperament .. and Sunda showing it now .. he was 16 then . Congratulations 👏

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) January 17, 2021

After 105 overs,India 319/7 ( Washington Sundar 60 , Navdeep Saini 4)

Cummins steaming in. Cries of “catch it” as the ball flies over the slip cordon after taking an outside edge of Saini’s bat. Jeez, life’s not easy for a lower order batsman, more short stuff to Saini but he survives. Four runs off the over.

After 104 overs,India 315/7 ( Washington Sundar 60 , Navdeep Saini 0)

Lyon, playing his 100th Test, continues. Bowls five dots to Sundar before the batsman breaks the shackles with a slog sweep over deep mid wicket for a six. Time for a drinks break.

Well…

That review didn't work 😐

Moving on #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/LAUPlYmDS8

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 17, 2021

After 103 overs,India 309/7 ( Washington Sundar 54 , Navdeep Saini 0)

Cummins continues and gets the much-needed breakthrough for Australia, dismissing the well-set Shardul with a jaffa that rattled the right-hander’s stumps. Aussies will feel that they are back in the game. Is this the momentum shift they were looking for? Cummins opts for a caught behind review but there’s no spike on the Snicko. Two runs off the over.

After 102 overs,India 307/6 ( Washington Sundar 54 , Shardul Thakur 65)

Lyon continues. Maiden over. Packed off side field for Sundar so good shots in that region did not fetch any runs.

After 101 overs,India 307/6 ( Washington Sundar 54 , Shardul Thakur 65)

Cummins continues. Australia opted for the new ball, cracks started appearing in the pitch but Sundar and Shardul have weathered the storm. Two runs off the over. India trail by 62 runs. Once again, India fighting back in the face of adversity.

India’s new batting heroes

This is just the 12th time in Test history that India's No.7 and No.8 have made half-centuries in the same innings, and just the third time it's happened outside of Asia. #AUSvIND

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) January 17, 2021

After 100 overs,India 305/6 ( Washington Sundar 53 , Shardul Thakur 64)

Lyon continues from one end. One run off the over, courtesy a leg bye. Lyon’s frustration showing as he throws the ball at Sundar after the last delivery even though the left-hander was well inside the crease.

After 99 overs,India 304/6 ( Washington Sundar 53 , Shardul Thakur 64)

Bowling change as Cummins returns to the attack. Doesn’t even look like Shardul and Sundar are up against the mighty Aussie bowling attack. Such has been their dominance. Shardul miscues the pull shot off the penultimate delivery, top edges the ball over Paine for a boundary. Seven runs off the over.

After 98 overs,India 297/6 ( Washington Sundar 53 , Shardul Thakur 58)

Lyon continues. Both the batters have got their eye in. Playing like specialist batsmen, these two. Proper cricketing shots. Runs coming thick and fast. Five runs in the over.

After 97 overs,India 292/6 ( Washington Sundar 50 , Shardul Thakur 56)

Starc continues. Sundar brings up his half century on Test debut with a single off the third delivery. Oh and he’s hit on the chest with a venomous bouncer on the fifth. Nasty blow there. Three singles off the over.

After 96 overs,India 289/6 ( Washington Sundar 49 , Shardul Thakur 54)

Lyon continues. Shardul whacks him for a six over long on to bring up his maiden Test half-century. Later, Sundar whacks the ball through the covers to bring up the 100-run stand between the two batsmen. 11 runs off the over.

After 95 overs,India 278/6 ( Washington Sundar 45 , Shardul Thakur 47)

Starc right up there with his speeds in the last couple of overs. He’s really steaming in. Clocks 147.5 kph off the first, down leg though. Again around leg, the third delivery, it hits Shardul and races away for a boundary, byes but India will happily take them. The lines have got to be more accurate from Starc. Five runs off the over.

After 94 overs,India 273/6 ( Washington Sundar 45 , Shardul Thakur 46)

Lyon continues. Thakur trying to use his feet to counter the turn. Gives the strike to Sundar, who drives to extra cover but there’s a fielder placed in that region. Just one run off the over.

After 93 overs,India 272/6 ( Washington Sundar 45 , Shardul Thakur 45)

Starc continues. A menacing bouncer to start the over from Starc, Sundar does well to leave that. He beats Sundar’s outside edge off the third and the ball races away to the fence. Four runs off the over and the deficit is now under 100.

After 92 overs,India 268/6 ( Washington Sundar 41 , Shardul Thakur 45)

Lyon continues to operate in tandem with Starc. Just one run off the over. Both Sundar and Shardul are inching closer to their fifties. India trail by 101 runs.

After 91 overs,India 267/6 ( Washington Sundar 40 , Shardul Thakur 45)

Starc continues. Australia desperately searching for a breakthrough. Pace and spin operating in tandem. Some cracks have started appearing in the pitch. Still, these two have given the dressing room some assurance. The fourth delivery whistles past Shardul’s bat. The right hander slaps the final delivery through extra cover for a boundary. Five runs off the over.

After 90 overs,Australia 292/5 ( Cameron Green 37 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 41)

Shardul gets a look in from the physio and he’s good to go as Lyon continues. Sundar sneaks a single off the second ball following which Thakur gets behind the line of the ball and defends the remaining deliveries.

After 89 overs,India 261/6 ( Washington Sundar 38 , Shardul Thakur 41)

Starc back into the attack. Shardul collects two boundaries, with a lovely straight drive and a cut shot through point. Playing like a genuine batsman here really. Eight runs off the over. The Sundar- Shardul partnership worth 75 now.

After 88 overs,India 253/6 ( Washington Sundar 38 , Shardul Thakur 33)

Lyon takes the ball in the first session. Extremely crucial partnership this from India’s perspective. Sundar nicely getting behind the line of the ball and rock solid in his defence. Maiden over for Lyon.

After 87 overs,India 253/6 ( Washington Sundar 38 , Shardul Thakur 33)

Tea, Day 4.

India’s session, to be honest despite them losing Mayank and Pant. The way Thakur and Sundar have batted, Paine and Langer have a lot to chat about in these 20 minutes. We will see you on the other side.

After 86 overs,India 245/6 ( Washington Sundar 38 , Shardul Thakur 25)

The more time India bat and the more they score, the more Australia will have to bat in second innings. With rain threat looming, Australia have problems here. Nothing serious for Thakur, his finger was bleeding and he has got it bandaged now. Sundar collects three at square leg to frustrate Aussies further.

After 85 overs,India 240/6 ( Washington Sundar 35 , Shardul Thakur 23)

Cummins continues. Sundar with a play and miss, passed the outside edge by a whisker. Paine asked whether there was a small edge, Cummins had no idea and they refused the idea of a review. Cummins with a good short ball, Sundar bent so down, that he almost fell at the crease on his back. Good contest.

After 83 overs,India 240/6 ( Washington Sundar 35 , Shardul Thakur 23)

The partnership between Thakur and Sundar is now 54. Who would have thought that these two would be batting for India in this Test series when it all began at the Adelaide? Another display of grit and character by Indians, this time by a new pair. Both batting for the first time in this series, have shown great composure.

After 83 overs,India 239/6 ( Washington Sundar 35 , Shardul Thakur 23)

Cummins continues. Australia leaking runs with the new ball. Sundar and Thakur continue to make runs off the weak deliveries. Four off the over. India trail by 130 runs.

After 82 overs,India 235/6 ( Washington Sundar 31 , Shardul Thakur 23)

Hazlewood back on. Back to back boundaries in the over for Thakur as Hazlewood strayed down leg twice. Good over for India 8 off it. India trail by 134.

After 81 overs,India 227/6 ( Washington Sundar 31 , Shardul Thakur 15)

Yes, as expected, Cummins back on with the brand new red cherry in his hand. Sundar tucks two to leg side on back foot before a punch to mid off for a double as Marnus misfields. Fourth ball fuller and Sundar pushes it mid on where Starc dives to stop a acertain four. Cummins changes lime, comes round the wicket, ball shaping in, Sundar blocks. Next ball wide and short, Sundar lets it go.

After 80 overs,India 225/6 ( Washington Sundar 29 , Shardul Thakur 15)

Lyon completes another over. Nice punch off the back foot by Sundar but for no run. He has looked solid against Lyon, using his height to good effect, with long legs reaching the pitch of the ball. Height comes to good use against Lyon as displayed by Ashwin in the second innings of the third Test as well. The second new ball is due now and highly likely Paine will take it straightaway.

After 79 overs,India 224/6 ( Washington Sundar 28 , Shardul Thakur 15)

Marnus Labuschagne, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack as Australia look to quickly get to that new ball. Thakur defends it all. A quick maiden from Marnus.

After 78 overs,India 224/6 ( Washington Sundar 28 , Shardul Thakur 15)

The second new ball is due in 2 overs so one may see Hazlewood and Cummins back soon. Sundar negates Lyon’s line with some solid defensive play. India trail by 145 runs.

After 77 overs,India 224/6 ( Washington Sundar 28 , Shardul Thakur 15)

Whipped away by Sundar off the first ball of the fresh Starc over. Three taken off it. Thakur collects a single off the second ball. Starc bowls a misdirected bouncer. Indians would not mind him bowling these all day. India trail by 145 runs.

After 76 overs,India 219/6 ( Washington Sundar 24 , Shardul Thakur 14)

Lyon continues. India have scored runs at a good rate in this sessio, it is the wickets column which will hurt them. Just a single in the over taken by Sundar. India trail by 150 runs.

After 75 overs,India 218/6 ( Washington Sundar 23 , Shardul Thakur 14)

Starc continues after drinks break. Change of line as he comes round the stumps to left-handed Sundar with a leg slip and short leg in place. Bouncers sent at Sundar, Starc wants him to pull. Testing time for the debutant. Sundar plays one on his hips with one hand and collects a single on the fourth ball. Thakur slashed one outside off and it went up in air, Green running back attempted a dive but could not catch it.

After 74 overs,India 215/6 ( Washington Sundar 22 , Shardul Thakur 12)

Thakur against Lyon has looked good as the spinner completes another maiden. India batting time here as well. Drinks called on the field it seems.

After 73 overs,India 215/6 ( Washington Sundar 22 , Shardul Thakur 12)

Back to back boundaries for Sundar against Starc. The run scoring opportunities have not been missed by Sundar and which is a good way to think with India still trailing by over 150 runs.

After 72 overs,England 242/3 ( Joe Root (C) 118 , Dan Lawrence 55)

Turn and bounce, right, Lyon continues. Thakur playing him on back foot and short leg is always in play with that batting approach against Lyon. Fourth ball, fuller and Thakur goes on front foot. One more over tackled.

After 71 overs,India 205/6 ( Washington Sundar 12 , Shardul Thakur 12)

The edge keeps flying through the gap off Starc. Sundar survives. He was good in the over apart from that tease on the off side. Four off the over.

After 70 overs,India 201/6 ( Washington Sundar 8 , Shardul Thakur 12)

Lyon is on. So sad there is no Pant vs Lyon contest in this innings. Thakur need to watch his back foot as leaves the ball every time, stumping chance if it does not land or is back in crease. Maiden for Lyon as he returns for a new spell.

After 69 overs,India 201/6 ( Washington Sundar 8 , Shardul Thakur 12)

Hazlewood continues. 200 is up for India. Each run for India here will disturb Paine and Australia, this is now the second innings lead diminishing. India trail by 168.

After 68 overs,India 199/6 ( Washington Sundar 6 , Shardul Thakur 12)

It seems Shardul Thakur was eager to come at the crease after looking at the kind of shots he has played against the World No 1 bowler. A six and a four in the over, that boundary shot was a delight to watch, not much for Cummins though.

After 67 overs,India 187/6 ( Washington Sundar 6 , Shardul Thakur 0)

Hazlewood continues and another hit on front foot by Pant for a double. You always felt something was round the corner with Pant at the crease, a big shot or a big mistake and unfortunately for India, the mistake has been committed. What a catch by Green to dismiss Pant, Hazlewood is happy these catches are being taken. Shardul Thakur in now, can bat but is off the mark with a quick single.

After 66 overs,India 184/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 21 , Washington Sundar 6)

Pant’s Test records flash on the screen and it is a reminder that he is only 8 short of a 1,000 runs in Tests. Two boundaries in the over off Cummins, one square on the off side, the other straight down the ground. A pull is played as well, did not connect well. He is attacking Pant, this is good news for both India and Australia. If it comes off, India will score quickly, if it does not, gates will be opened for hosts.

After 65 overs,India 175/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 12 , Washington Sundar 6)

Hazlewood continues. Sundar has looked good so far. He is giving assurance to the dressing room that he has it in him at this level to survive. Just 1 off the over.

After 64 overs,India 174/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 11 , Washington Sundar 6)

Pant drives beautifully through covers but the ball does not have enough legs to touch the sweeper cover boundary. Lyon cuts it off and 3 is taken. Sundar with another off drive., straight to the fielder. Looked uncertain as he tapped one to the slips.

After 63 overs,India 169/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 6 , Washington Sundar 6)

Hazlewood has been driven for four by Sundar so nicely and can’t help but call it a Sundar shot. Sundar’s technique looks sound and he is doing something that only Pujara has done all through the series: drop of hands against bouncers. He is judging the length well. Marnus with another funny appeal as the ball leaves the batsman down leg. No one appealed but Marnus and the ball was miles away from the batsman’s body.

After 62 overs,India 165/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 6 , Washington Sundar 2)

Pat Cummins from round the stump to both left-handers. Pant collects a single off the second ball with a tap to the on side. A quick one. Sundar with some nice forward defences against Cummins. What a test of his batting skills in the first innings of his Test career.

After 61 overs,India 163/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 5 , Washington Sundar 1)

Mayank is gone on just the second ball after lunch. Hazlewood with the wicket and Steve Smith finally holds on to one, albeit in second attempt. Seemed like it was too close to cut, and the ball was rising. Sundar the new man in and he is being already tested with short stuff.

After 60 overs,India 161/4 ( Mayank Agarwal 38 , Rishabh Pant (W) 4)

Lyon with the last over before lunch on Day 3. Two runs coming off it. India have lost two crucial wickets, that of Rahane and Pujara.99 runs came in the first session. Pant and Mayank will have to shoulder major responsibility here, given there is Sundar and a long tail to follow. Mayank looking good and assuring at No 5, they’d want him to carry on.

After 59 overs,India 159/4 ( Mayank Agarwal 38 , Rishabh Pant (W) 2)

Starc continues and bowls a menacing bouncer to Pant. The left hander does well to fend it, will remind him of the rising delivery that led to his elbow injury. Mayank shows his class off the third with a lovely straight drive for a boundary. Six runs off the over.

After 58 overs,India 154/4 ( Mayank Agarwal 34 , Rishabh Pant (W) 1)

Pant opens his account off the first ball. Mayank dances down the track and bludgeons one over long on for a maximum. Seven runs off the over.

After 57 overs,India 147/4 ( Mayank Agarwal 28 , Rishabh Pant (W) 0)

Starc continues. Looking like a different bowler, after dismissing Rahane. Mayank been happy to leave deliveries outside off. He takes a quick double off the third after tucking the ball towards square leg.

Starc vs Rahane

Mitchell Starc finally gets Ajinkya Rahane with the third edge he drew from the Indian skipper. The wicket ball pitched in almost the same spot as the previous edge, and reached the batsman in the same spot - hiding behind the wicket on this graphic. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/CXdO8OYlE6

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) January 17, 2021

After 56 overs,India 145/4 ( Mayank Agarwal 26 , Rishabh Pant (W) 0)

Lyon continues as Rishabh Pant joins Agarwal at the crease. Just one run off the over, from Mayank’s blade that one.

After 55 overs,India 144/4 ( Mayank Agarwal 25 , )

Starc continues. The first delivery shapes away from Mayank, who’s happy to leave that one. Rahane perishes after edging one to Wade at third slip. Outside edge, the stand-in skipper playing away from the body and paying the price. Successful over, one run and a wicket off it.

After 54 overs,India 143/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 37 , Mayank Agarwal 24)

Lyon returns to the attack. Mayank plays the pull shot against Lyon for the second time in his innings, fetches him just a single. Lyon comes round the wicket for the final delivery of the over. Two runs off the over.

After 53 overs,India 141/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 36 , Mayank Agarwal 23)

Starc returns to the attack. Mayank, somehow, has looked much more assuring at the No 5 position. He has left deliveries as well as rotated the strike well. Mayank tickles the final delivery towards fine leg for a four.

After 52 overs,India 137/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 36 , Mayank Agarwal 19)

Green continues. Mayank has an opportunity to prove his mettle, even though this is not his preferred batting position. Gill making his mark has made difficult for the selectors to position Mayank as the opener. Two runs off the over.

After 51 overs,India 135/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 35 , Mayank Agarwal 18)

The broadcaster just showed Cummins’ pitch map and almost nothing has been bowled on the negative leg stump line. The lengths have been mixed up well. Two slips, a gully and a leg gully brought in after two deliveries. Cummins beats Mayank’s outside edge off the fourth and it races away to the fence, through the gap between third slip and gully. Five runs off the over.

After 50 overs,India 130/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 34 , Mayank Agarwal 14)

Green to Rahane, the batsman works it behind square for a single. Agarwal drives the ball down the ground off the fourth for a double. Three runs off the over.

After 49 overs,India 127/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 33 , Mayank Agarwal 12)

Cummins continues. Appeal for caught behind by Paine and Cummins but the umpire isn’t interested. It was going down leg. Australia opt for a review but it reveals that Mayank didn’t get a bat to it. Maiden over from Cummins.

After 48 overs,India 127/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 33 , Mayank Agarwal 12)

Green continues. Two dots followed by a single as Rahane clips the ball towards mid wicket. A yorker off the fifth to Rahane. Just one off the over.

After 47 overs, India 126/3 (Mayank Agarwal 11, Ajinkya Rahane (C) 33)

Cummins returns to the attack. Bowls a ripper off the second, beating Mayank and just challenging that forward press from the batsman. Three runs off the over.

Green still searching for his first Test wicket

Cameron Green has now bowled 228 deliveries in this series without taking a wicket. Only once this century has an Australian seamer bowled more deliveries in a series and gone wicketless (Mitchell Marsh, 240 balls v Pakistan 2014). #AUSvIND

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) January 17, 2021

After 46 overs,India 123/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 33 , Mayank Agarwal 8)

Green to Agarwal, the batsman plays an elegant straight drive off the second for a triple. Green could have had his first wicket off the fourth, that of Rahane, who checked his drive and it fell short of mid off. Three of the over.

After 45 overs,India 120/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 33 , Mayank Agarwal 5)

Hazlewood continues from one end. He is mixing pitched up deliveries with good length ones. Rahane swivels on his feet and pulls the penultimate delivery for a double. Just two off the over.

After 44 overs,India 118/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 31 , Mayank Agarwal 5)

Back after the drinks break and Green takes the ball. He is yet to pick up his first wicket. Maiden over from Green as Agarwal either leaves or defends.

After 43 overs,India 118/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 31 , Mayank Agarwal 5)

Just two runs off the Hazlewood over as Rahane clips one towards deep mid wicket. Drinks break called at the end of the over.

After 42 overs,India 116/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 29 , Mayank Agarwal 5)

Lyon continues. Agarwal looking positive with a pull shot for a single and a cover drive. He managed to run four there. Just tells you about the longer boundary dimensions. Six off the over.

After 41 overs,India 110/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 28 , Mayank Agarwal 0)

Hazlewood continues. Cummins and Starc have been good but Hazlewood has given the Indian batters major headaches. The prized scalp of Pujara to show as of now. Just two runs off the over as Rahane pulls one towards backward square leg.

After 40 overs,India 108/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 26 , Mayank Agarwal 0)

Lyon continues. Agarwal joins Rahane at the crease after Pujara’s departure. Rahane carves one towards backward point for a triple.

After 39 overs,India 105/3 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 23 , Mayank Agarwal 0)

Hazlewood continues. Troubles Pujara off the second delivery with a short one. Pujara gets into an awkward position. The fifth delivery, bowled on good length, takes the outside edge of Pujara’s bat and Paine completes a simple catch behind the stumps Wicket maiden from Hazlewood.

Bowlers dismissing Pujara most times in Tests:

10 : Nathan Lyon 
7 : James Anderson
6 : Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood*

Incredible piece of bowling

That's the breakthrough Australia so desperately wanted! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/DAuKG71RfV

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 17, 2021

After 38 overs,India 105/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 25 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 23)

Lyon in action for the first time today. Pujara uses his feet off the second and whips it towards square leg for a triple. Rahane goes on the backfoot and slaps one towards point for a boundary. Seven runs off the over.

After 37 overs,India 98/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 22 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 19)

Josh Hazlewood returns to the attack. And right on the mark off the first delivery as he beats Pujara’s outside edge. Pujara takes a sharp single after nudging one towards cover point for a single. Rahane gets behind the line of the ball and carefully defends the final three deliveries of the over.

After 36 overs,India 97/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 21 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 19)

Starc continues. Pujara itching to get off the strike. After five dots, he drives the final delivery towards long on for a triple. That was well timed, the outfield seems a bit slow today.

After 35 overs,India 94/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 18 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 19)

Cummins continues. Pujara tucks the second towards point for a single. Rahane punches the next off the backfoot through the covers and sneaks a triple on that occasion. A bye run to end the over, way too short, but Paine does well to get a hand to it behind the stumps.

After 34 overs,India 89/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 17 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 16)

Starc continues. Bowls an outside off short delivery off the third to Pujara, who cuts it through point for a four. Seven runs off the over.

After 33 overs,India 82/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 12 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 14)

Cummins once again bowls a testing over, barring one short delivery which evades everyone, even a flying Tim Paine, and races away for a boundary. Just four off the over, from byes.

Rahane has had a shaky start

Through the gap again! Rahane living dangerously.

Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/IzttOVtrUu pic.twitter.com/yt3vjXfMwR

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 16, 2021

After 32 overs,India 78/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 12 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 14)

Starc continues and both the batsmen collect a boundary each in the over. Rahane once again lucky as the ball takes an outside edge and goes between fielders. Pujara with a cut through backward point for the second boundary of the over. Nine runs in total.

After 31 overs, India 69/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 8 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 9)

Cummins continues. It’s the top of off stump line from Cummins that has led to Pujara’s dismissal in the series. Deliveries that have angled in and just held their line after pitching and Pujara has been forced to play at them. Maiden from Cummins, superb over.

After 30 overs,India 69/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 8 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 9)

Starc steams in from around the wicket. Tests Rahane outside the off stump, the stand-in skipper with a nervy push on the second ball that goes wide of Green at gully after beating the outside edge. That’s also the first boundary of Day 3.

After 29 overs,India 65/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 8 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 5)

Cummins continues. Starc and Cummins have been right on the money as far as their line and length goes. Pujara and Rahane, despite being tested, have held their shape and played patiently. Just one run off the over as Rahane pulls one to backward square leg.

After 28 overs, India 64/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 8 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 4)

Mitchell Starc into the attack. Three back of a length deliveries from the left-arm seamer, Pujara nicely gets on top of the bounce and carefully defends them. Two leaves followed by another solid defence at the end of the over. Maiden over that.

After 27 overs,India 64/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 8 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 4)

Three slips and a gully in place as Cummins takes the new ball on Day 3 of Brisbane Test. After two dots, he bowls an outside off length delivery and Rahane punches it through covers for a double. Just two off the over.

Day 3, Gabba

That's the Day 3 pitch. Your thoughts🤔 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/XM4MMSx4iA

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 16, 2021

Rohit Sharma understands the criticism that his untimely dismissal has invited but the India vice-captain has “no regrets” about going after Nathan Lyon, saying that’s his way of putting bowlers under pressure. He looked in good touch during his 44 off 74 balls but was dismissed trying to loft Lyon over mid-wicket, the kind of shots that has often brought about his dismissal even during earlier Test matches. 

Click here to read Rohit’s thoughts about his dismissal 

Australia’s assistant coach Andrew McDonald on Saturday praised the highly inexperienced Indian bowling attack for the final Test and singled out Washington Sundar, saying the young off-spinner filled the shoes of Ravichandran Ashwin “quite well”.

Apart from Natarajan, Rohit also praised Shardul and feels that more he plays, the better he will become in terms of consistency.

“I understand Shardul’s strength and he likes to swing the ball. Going for that he can go for runs as well but he likes to pitch it up and swing so that he can nick it off batsmen and he did that to Tim Paine and that is his strength. Definitely, he has got the temperament to play at the highest level. Most importantly he has the right attitude and I liked what I saw,” said Rohit.

Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) officials have launched an investigation after an Indian supporter alleged that he was subjected to racial profiling and abuse by a security officer during the final day of the third Test against Australia. 

Debutant T Natarajan finished with figures of 3/78 in the first innings and India’s vice-captain Rohit Sharma is extremely impressed with the left arm seamer’s “solid character”.

After Sharma’s dismissal, India didn’t score a run for 32 balls. In hindsight, Sharma was right that if he didn’t take on the bowling then the scoring rate would stagnate. But somewhere there had to be better game awareness. He justified his role in the team and perhaps the shot was not a mistake. But try telling that to even his ardent fan and they will find that thought hard to digest.