India Vs Australia Highlights, Boxing Day Test at Melbourne, Day 3, Full Cricket Score: Green, Cummins guide hosts to 133/6 at stumps

India skipper Ajinkya Rahane: We played really well. The first session was really good, and the bowlers came out really strong. Unfortunately, Umesh was out. Captaincy’s all about backing your instincts. Credit to bowlers, they bowled really well. (On century) Really special. My best knock I still feel was the one at Lord’s. Still four wickets to go, we haven’t won yet.

After 66 overs,Australia 133/6 ( Cameron Green 17 , Pat Cummins 15)

Ashwin bowls the final over of Day 3. Green goes over mid-off for a boundary off the second. He works the fourth towards mid wicket for a single. Five runs off the over. Australia lead by two runs at stumps.

FOUR! Mid off was up Green went over that region for a boundary. Australia lead by one run with that four.

After 65 overs,Australia 128/6 ( Cameron Green 12 , Pat Cummins 15)

Siraj continues. As expected, with the ball getting older, he isn’t getting that much carry. But just a hint of swing into the right-hander. One run off his over.

After 64 overs,Australia 127/6 ( Cameron Green 11 , Pat Cummins 15)

Ashwin concedes just one off his 22nd over. Cummins drives off the final delivery and the ball lands just short of the mid-wicket fielder. Just one run off the over.

After 63 overs,Australia 126/6 ( Cameron Green 10 , Pat Cummins 15)

Siraj returns to the attack. He bangs the first one short and Cummins ducks under it. Maiden over. India have put in the hard yards so far and with another wicket down, they’ll fancy wrapping up the tail in the first hour or so tomorrow. Australia trail by 5 runs at the end of the over.

After 62 overs,Australia 126/6 ( Cameron Green 10 , Pat Cummins 15)

Ashwin continues. Three runs off his over as Australia trail by five runs at the end of it. India desperately searching for a wicket.

After 61 overs,Australia 123/6 ( Cameron Green 9 , Pat Cummins 13)

Bumrah into his 17th over. A mixture of yorkers and bouncers from the speedster as Australia can only add one run to their tally. Green and Cummins are battling it out, their partnership worth 24 off 82 balls at the end of the over.

After 60 overs, Australia 122/6 ( Cameron Green 9 , Pat Cummins 12)

Ashwin continues. Bowls four consecutive dots before conceding a single from the blade of Cummins, who tucks the penultimate ball to long on. Australia closing in on the deficit as they trail by only nine runs at the end of the over.

After 59 overs,Australia 121/6 ( Cameron Green 9 , Pat Cummins 11)

Bumrah continues from one end. Starts off with two short deliveries, both dots, against Green, who leaves them alone. A no-ball followed by an inch-perfect yorker off the fifth, but Green manages to get bat to it. Tidy over that, just one run off it. Australia trail by 10 runs at the end of the over.

After 58 overs,Australia 120/6 ( Cameron Green 9 , Pat Cummins 11)

Ashwin returns to the attack. Green pushes the third behind point for a single. Cummins has batted well thus far, getting behind the line and defending the deliveries. But he does not get off the mark in this over.

After 57 overs,Australia 119/6 ( Cameron Green 8 , Pat Cummins 11)

Bumrah into his 15th over. Maiden over as India’s pace spearhead mixes up his lengths well.

After 56 overs,Australia 119/6 ( Cameron Green 8 , Pat Cummins 11)

Jadeja continues. Positive intent from Green as he powers one down the ground for a four before getting off the strike. Green joins the party, whacking one towards deep mid-wicket for another four. Nine runs off the over.

FOUR! Second four off Jadeja as Green whacks it towards deep mid wicket.

FOUR! Cummins waits for it and powers it down the ground. Much needed boundary.

After 55 overs,Australia 110/6 ( Cameron Green 4 , Pat Cummins 6)

12 overs left for the day and Bumrah returns to the attack. Two slips, a gully and a short square leg in place. India’s attacking mindset is clear. First maiden for Bumrah.

After 54 overs,Australia 110/6 ( Cameron Green 4 , Pat Cummins 6)

Jadeja continues. Two runs off the over. Another wicket here and Rahane might look to bring back Bumrah, his strike bowler, to clean up the lower order.

After 53 overs,Australia 108/6 ( Cameron Green 3 , Pat Cummins 5)

Siraj continues. And once again, he is right on the money with his line and length. After five consecutive dots, Cummins drives a full delivery through the covers and sneaks a triple.

After 52 overs,Australia 105/6 ( Cameron Green 3 , Pat Cummins 2)

Jadeja into his eighth over. And he bowls his third maiden over. He has been a prolific wicket-taker at the Test level. His strength is bowling wicket to wicket and he did just that in that over.

After 51 overs, Australia 105/6 ( Cameron Green 3 , Pat Cummins 2)

Siraj continues. Massive appeal for LBW against Green off the first but the umpire wasn’t interested. Clearly, the ball was moving down the leg side with the angle. Another tight over, just one run off it, from the blade of Green.

After 50 overs,Australia 104/6 ( Cameron Green 2 , Pat Cummins 2)

Jadeja continues. After conceding a single, he oversteps off the next. But keeps it tight on the remaining deliveries, giving no room to Cummins to free his arms. Two runs off the over.

After 49 overs,Australia 102/6 ( Cameron Green 1 , Pat Cummins 2)

Siraj continues and bowls five consecutive dots before conceding a single as Green gets off the mark.

After 48 overs,Australia 101/6 ( Cameron Green 0 , Pat Cummins 2)

Jadeja continues. India review for caught behind against Paine. There was a spike as the ball went past the skipper’s bat. Pant was keen on the review and indeed, there was an edge there. Cummins joins Green at the crease with Aussies six down. Another successful over for India, two runs and a wicket off it.

OUT! India take a review for caught behind. Jadeja picks up his second wicket. There was a spike as the ball went past skipper Tim Paine’s bat. Pant completed a simple catch behind the stumps**. Paine c Pant b Jadeja 1(9)**

After 47 overs,Australia 99/5 ( Cameron Green 0 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 1)

Siraj returns to the attack and gets the breakthrough. Head nicked the first one which was well outside off and the edge carried to Mayank at first slip. Australia have lost half their side and once again, it will be up to Paine. Can he rescue the Aussies? Superb over by the Hyderabad pacer, one run and a wicket off it.

OUT! Australia have lost half their side. Siraj returns to the attack and gets the breakthrough as Head edges to Mayank at second slip. Head made the mistake of chasing a delivery that was wide outside off. He could have left that one but probably pressure got the better of him. Head c Agarwal b Siraj 17(46)

After 46 overs,Australia 98/4 ( Travis Head 17 , Cameron Green 0)

Green, the new man in, on strike against Jadeja, who has pitched in with both bat and ball. Another maiden over for Jadeja, his second so far.

After 45 overs, Australia 98/4 (Travis Head 17 , Cameron Green 0)

Ashwin continues as Green joins Head at the crease. Maiden over as Head opts to see off the off-spinner’s 18th over. Pressure mounting on the Aussies here.

After 44 overs,Australia 98/4 ( Travis Head 17 , )

Jadeja into his fourth over. Head tickles the first towards fine leg for a double. Head makes lovely use of the wrists as he flicks the next towards square leg for a single. The sixth delivery skids off the surface and it traps Wade LBW. Australia in some serious trouble. The set batsman departs for 40. Three runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Wade, the set batsman, departs for 40 as Jadeja traps him LBW. The left-hander took a review. It pitched outside off, the impact was in line and went on to hit the stumps. It skidded off the surface**. Wade lbw b Jadeja 40(137)**

After 43 overs,Australia 95/3 ( Matthew Wade 40 , Travis Head 14)

Ashwin continues. Wade extra cautious against him as he gets behind the line of the ball and defends all the six deliveries. Third maiden over for Ashwin.

After 42 overs,Australia 95/3 ( Matthew Wade 40 , Travis Head 14)

Spin from both ends as Jadeja continues. A maiden over for the left-arm spinner as the Head carefully defended his deliveries. Extra bounce off the fifth delivery, indicating that there’s still something in the pitch for the spinners.

After 41 overs,Australia 95/3 ( Matthew Wade 40 , Travis Head 14)

Ashwin into his 16th over. We’ve seen his repertoire today. He has made the adjustments as per the Aussie pitches and the results show. In fact, he’s been way better than Lyon, Australia’s sole specialist spinner. Just one run off the over as the offie continues to build pressure on the Aussie batsmen.

After 40 overs,Australia 94/3 ( Matthew Wade 40 , Travis Head 13)

Jadeja continues from one end. He seems to be giving more flight than usual. Head and Wade are happy to deal with the spinners on the backfoot. At least, that’s how it has been thus far. Four runs off the over, courtesy a double and two singles.

After 39 overs,Australia 90/3 ( Matthew Wade 37 , Travis Head 12)

Ashwin returns to the attack. After two dots, Wade tucks the ball towards mid-wicket for a single. There was an opportunity off the fifth delivery as Head went for a backfoot punch. However, Ashwin didn’t give the batsman any room there. Just one run off the over.

After 38 overs,Australia 89/3 ( Matthew Wade 36 , Travis Head 12)

Bowling change as Ravindra Jadeja, left arm orthodox, comes into the attack. Wade gives the strike to Head, who shows positive intent with a square drive off the second. Three runs in the over.

After 37 overs, Australia 86/3 (Matthew Wade 35 , Travis Head 10)

Bumrah continues. Two slips, a gully and a leg gully in place for Head, who plays three dots before glancing one off his hips towards the leg side. Three runs off the over.

After 36 overs, Australia 84/3 (Matthew Wade 35 , Travis Head 8)

Ashwin into his 14th over. An economical one for him as Head nudges one towards mid-wicket for a double.

After 35 overs, Australia 81/3 (Matthew Wade 34 , Travis Head 6)

Bumrah continues. Head flicks the first towards deep mid wicket and collects a triple. Wade plays two dots before facing a mean bouncer from Bumrah that hit him on the back of the helmet. Concussion test time as the the left-hander gets a check in from the physio. Two bouncers to end the over. Three runs off the over.

Outstanding from India’s pace spearhead!

That never happens! Steve Smith bowled leg stump! Credit to Bumrah/Ashwin bowling brilliantly here. @FoxCricket #AUSVIND

— Isa Guha (@isaguha) December 28, 2020

After 34 overs, Australia 78/3 (Matthew Wade 34 , Travis Head 3)

Ashwin continues and he does a tidy job, giving away just a double off his 13th over. The bowlers continue to build pressure on Head and Wade**.**

After 33 overs, Australia 76/3 (Matthew Wade 31 , Travis Head 3)

Bumrah continues. Smith gets out, clean bowled, the ball clipping the leg stump. Head, the new man in, is welcomed with a dangerous bouncer off the third. Australia are on the backfoot now, it’s evident with their body language. Five runs and a wicket in that over.

OUT! BOWLED! Smith’s woeful run continues. Big wicket this. Bumrah gets the breakthrough. Smith b Bumrah 8(30)

After 32 overs,Australia 67/2 ( Matthew Wade 31 , Steven Smith 8)

Ashwin into his 12th over. Bowls five consecutive dots before conceding a boundary, courtesy a misfield by Mayank at mid-on.

FOUR! Misfield by Mayank at mid-on and it fetches Wade a boundary. That will release a bit of pressure.

After 31 overs,Australia 67/2 ( Matthew Wade 27 , Steven Smith 8)

Two slips, leg gully and a square leg in place as Bumrah bowls a maiden over. The Aussies seem to be extra cautious against him and Ashwin.

After 30 overs,Australia 67/2 ( Matthew Wade 27 , Steven Smith 8)

Ashwin continues. Smith plays the first ball with the spin, tucking it to mid wicket. The second delivery takes off the rough and bamboozles Wade, who follows it up with four consecutive dots. One run off the over.

After 29 overs,Australia 66/2 ( Matthew Wade 27 , Steven Smith 7)

We’re back after the tea break and Jasprit Bumrah has the ball. Smith defends a full delivery and sneaks a single off the first while Wade sees off the remainder of the over.

After 28 overs,Australia 65/2 ( Matthew Wade 27 , Steven Smith 6)

Ashwin concedes one off the final over of the session, managing to deceiving Wade off the second delivery that kicks up slightly after pitching on good length after off. Short leg’s in play two balls later, but the ball appears to have deflected off Wade’s pad.

And Australia head to tea at 65/2, trailing the Indians by another 66 runs with eight wickets in hand. Australia will hope Smith breaks his woeful run with the bat with a big score today, with Wade already well on his way towards a fifty. India, meanwhile, will need an early wicket if they are to keep the target as low as possible.

After 27 overs,Australia 64/2 ( Matthew Wade 27 , Steven Smith 5)

Lovely straight drive produced by Wade off an overpitched delivery from Bumrah, a sign of the kind of touch he’s in at the moment. Four off the over. Looks like one more over to go for tea after this.

FOUR! Wade’s starting to look real good now! Overpitched from Bumrah, Wade leans into the drive and guides this straight down the ground! AUS 64/2

After 26 overs,Australia 60/2 ( Matthew Wade 23 , Steven Smith 5)

Ashwin nearly has Smith caught at leg slip off the last delivery, the ball landing a fraction short of the fielder’s palms. The former Aussie captain’s still living on the edge at the moment. Maiden for Ash.

After 25 overs,Australia 60/2 ( Matthew Wade 23 , Steven Smith 5)

Bumrah brought back for a short burst before tea on Day 3. Concedes two at the start of a fresh spell, with Wade driving the ball down the ground off the second delivery for a brace.

After 24 overs,Australia 58/2 ( Matthew Wade 21 , Steven Smith 5)

Tidy over from Ashwin, giving away just two singles in his eighth of the day so far.

After 23 overs,Australia 56/2 ( Matthew Wade 20 , Steven Smith 4)

Smith collects three with a flick behind square, piercing the gap between backward square leg and leg gully, to move to four — his highest score in the series so far — off the first ball. Dot off each of the remaining deliveries of the over.

After 22 overs,Australia 53/2 ( Matthew Wade 20 , Steven Smith 1)

Brace to Wade off the second delivery of the over after a well-timed sweep from outside off. The southpaw blocks away in the remaining deliveries of the over.

After 21 overs,Australia 51/2 ( Matthew Wade 18 , Steven Smith 1)

Five off the over, with Wade running four of those off the first delivery of the over after flick through midwicket. Yep, it’s that big a ground, not the easiest of venues to collect boundaries no matter how well hit.

After 20 overs,Australia 46/2 ( Matthew Wade 13 , Steven Smith 1)

Right, time for Ashwin vs Smith again, the offie having dismissed the star batsman for a duck in the previous innings as well as for 1 in the first essay at Adelaide. Smith starts off with a confident on-drive off the penultimate delivery to get off the mark for one, followed by a leg bye as Wade sets off for the non-striker’s after getting hit on the pad. Two off the over.

After 19 overs,Australia 44/2 ( Matthew Wade 12 , Steven Smith 0)

Real poor review by India after an unsuccessful lbw appeal by Siraj against Wade — pitching a mile outside leg, something even the bowler would’ve spotted. Rahane too eventually went with the bowler’s gut instinct even though he wasn’t entirely sure. Anyway, it’s two reviews per side now. Wade clips the ball through midwicket for a single to retain the strike. Just one off the over.

Ravi Ashwin has dismissed Smith twice in this series so far.

Steve Smith at MCG against India in Tests:

192, 14, 0

After 18 overs,Australia 42/2 ( Matthew Wade 10 , Steven Smith 0)

Ashwin gets the key breakthrough yet again for the visitors as he gets rid of the set batsman in Labuschagne, getting the outside nick with Rahane doing the rest at slip. Wicket maiden for the offie.

OUT! Ashwin gets the crucial wicket of Labuschagne — who was starting to look real dangerous for the visitors! This one slides through after pitching between off and middle, getting the batsman’s outside edge with Rahane plucking an easy catch at slip. AUS 42/2

Labuschagne c Rahane b Ashwin 28(49)

After 17 overs,Australia 42/1 ( Matthew Wade 10 , Marnus Labuschagne 28)

Four off the over, with Wade collecting a boundary — only the second of the innings so far — with a solid punch through square off a back-of-length delivery from Siraj.

FOUR!  A boundary after some time for the hosts as Wade punches a back-of-length delivery from Siraj through point, the ball comfortably beating the chasing fielder on its way to the fence. AUS 42/1

After 16 overs,Australia 38/1 ( Matthew Wade 6 , Marnus Labuschagne 28)

Four off the over, including another triple for Labuschagne — who’s scored well over half of the runs so far in the innings — as he drives the ball through the cover region, with the ball slowing down on its way to the fence. Partnership starting to look real good for the Aussies right now.

After 15 overs,Australia 34/1 ( Matthew Wade 5 , Marnus Labuschagne 25)

Labuschagne’s limping after getting hit high on the pad by an inswinging Siraj delivery, which is followed by an unsuccessful lbw appeal. Rahane goes for the review despite the height factor, and it turns out to be a pretty decent call after all, with wickets “Umpire’s Call” — the second time in this innings. The Queenslander’s lucky again next ball as a top-edge off a wild pull lands well outside Jadeja’s reach near square leg, allowing him a single.

After 14 overs,Australia 33/1 ( Matthew Wade 5 , Marnus Labuschagne 24)

Five off Ashwin’s third over, including three to Labuschagne off a well-timed cut that unfortunately doesn’t send the ball all the way to the boundary rope. Labuschagne’s batting with intent at the moment, reaching 24 already and at a healthy pace. Deficit less than a hundred for the Aussies now.

After 13 overs,Australia 28/1 ( Matthew Wade 5 , Marnus Labuschagne 19)

Siraj returns to the attack as Bumrah gets a break after a six-over spell. Just one off the over, with Labuschagne clipping the ball towards fine leg off the fourth delivery. Drinks taken after this over.

After 12 overs,Australia 27/1 ( Matthew Wade 5 , Marnus Labuschagne 18)

Misfield by Siraj at cover allows Labuschagne to collect a second run off third delivery before he cuts the next one behind square to collect easy three runs. Five from the over.

After 11 overs,Australia 22/1 ( Matthew Wade 5 , Marnus Labuschagne 13)

Five dots in Bumrah’s sixth over, followed by a single off the last delivery as Labuschagne flicks a yorker-length delivery towards deep midwicket.

After 10 overs,Australia 21/1 ( Matthew Wade 5 , Marnus Labuschagne 12)

First bowling change of the innings, as Rahane turns to Ashwin in the 10th over. Labuschagne goes for an impressive cover drive for three runs first ball. Wade chooses, however, to see off the remainder of the over.

After 9 overs,Australia 18/1 ( Matthew Wade 5 , Marnus Labuschagne 9)

Rahul’s on the field in place of Umesh at the moment, as Bumrah continues from the other end. Labuschagne collects the first boundary of the innings with a lovely drive past mid on off the first delivery. Collects a single two balls later after a push behind square on the leg side. Five off the over.

FOUR! Lovely on-drive by Labuschagne, putting it well out of mid on’s reach, off Bumrah as the Aussie No 3 collects the first boundary of the innings. AUS 17/1

After 8 overs,Australia 13/1 ( Matthew Wade 5 , Marnus Labuschagne 4)

Three deliveries into his fourth over, Umesh needs a bit of attention from the team physio, appearing to limp in his follow through. And he walks off the field with Siraj bowling out the remainder of the over in his stead. It’s a maiden split across two bowlers this one. Meanwhile, the visitors will hope the niggle to Umesh isn’t too serious. They’ve already lost the services of two frontline pacers in this tour, and will need every resource they can get their hands on in that department if they are to keep their hopes alive in this series.

After 7 overs,Australia 13/1 ( Matthew Wade 5 , Marnus Labuschagne 4)

Three singles plucked in Bumrah’s fourth over — and they’re starting to come far more frequently for the Aussies, easing some of the pressure for the hosts after the early wicket. India’ve got to have their best fielder in Jadeja in the cover arc, even if for a short while, to stem the flow of singles.

After 6 overs,Australia 10/1 ( Matthew Wade 3 , Marnus Labuschagne 3)

Good leave from Labuschagne at the start of the over, knowing exactly where his off pole is, followed by a tap to cover for a single, with Wade following suit in the next delivery. Dot off each of the last three deliveries.

After 5 overs,Australia 8/1 ( Matthew Wade 2 , Marnus Labuschagne 2)

The Aussies continue their approach of collecting quick singles whenever the opportunity presents itself, collecting two of those in Bumrah’s third over.

Umesh Yadav bowling SR in Tests:

Team 1st innings : 57.9

Team 2nd innings : 44.1

After 4 overs,Australia 6/1 ( Matthew Wade 1 , Marnus Labuschagne 1)

Burns’ misery in this Test continues as he’s caught-behind off a jaffa from Umesh — late swing on offer getting the faintest of outside edges that carries comfortably into Pant’s gloves. Labuschagne glances a full delivery going down leg towards fine leg for a single first ball. Wade follows suit off the final delivery of the over to retain the strike.

OUT! Umesh gets rid of Burns with a ripper as India get the early wicket they were looking for! Just about manages to kiss the outer edge of the bat after pitching along good length, jagging away in the last second. Burns goes for the review in the very last second, and gets a mark on the HotSpot for the hosts to lose one for the innings. AUS 4/1

Burns c Pant b Yadav 4(10)

After 3 overs,Australia 4/0 ( Matthew Wade 0 , Joe Burns 4)

Bumrah starts off with a searing toe-crusher to Burns that hits the batsman flush on the shoe, eliciting an appeal for lbw. Oxenford though turns this down, and India get an ‘Umpire’s Call’ in the review. Close call for Burns! The batsman in question then gains some confidence with a cover drive off the penultimate delivery that fetches him three runs.

After 2 overs,Australia 1/0 ( Matthew Wade 0 , Joe Burns 1)

Umesh from the other end. Went wicketless in the first innings, and will hope to make up for that by hitting the timber a couple of times in this one. Anyway, Joe Burns collects the first run of the innings with a risky single off the fourth delivery, avoiding the prospect of a pair in the process. Just one off the over.

After 1 over,Australia 0/0 ( Matthew Wade 0 , Joe Burns 0)

Bumrah starts off the second innings with an appeal for an lbw against Wade, turned down by the umpire as it appeared to be pitching outside leg. Bit of drama to start the Aussie 2nd innings. The Indian pace spearhead starts off with a maiden.

Right then… Australia walk out to bat again, this time hoping to notch up a score much higher than what they managed in their first attempt in this match. Jasprit Bumrah with the ball in hand with Matthew Wade on strike.

Catching up with the all-time greats!

Most wickets at home for Australia in Tests:

319 : Shane Warne
289 : Glenn McGrath
231 : Dennis Lillee
195 : Nathan Lyon*
193 : Craig McDermott #AUSvIND

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) December 28, 2020

Lunch, Day 3 – IND 326 (115.1) 

The first session belonged to Australia, who wrapped up India’s tail in a jiffy. Rahane was unlucky as he got run out while Jadeja didn’t look comfortable facing the short stuff from the Aussie pacers after completing his fifty. And as expected, the tail didn’t last long. But the visitors won’t be unhappy for they have taken a 131-run lead, a healthy one given how the pitch is playing. .

How costly will the drops prove for the Aussies?

Australia dropped six catches in that innings.

Only once since 2006 have Australia dropped more catches in an innings - that was when they dropped seven, against India, in January 2012. #AUSvIND

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) December 28, 2020

OUT! As expected, the Indian tail falls in a jiffy. Bumrah holes out to Head at deep mid wicket. Lyon picks up his third wicket.  Bumrah c Head b Lyon 0(1)

After 115 overs, India 325/9 ( Bumrah 0, Siraj 0)

Hazlewood continues and he gets the breakthrough, removing Ashwin with a good length delivery outside off as the right hander holed out to Lyon at point. Siraj joins Bumrah at the crease. Maiden over.

OUT! Good length delivery outside off from Hazlewood and Ashwin holes out to Lyon at point. Ashwin c Lyon b Hazlewood 14(42)

After 114 overs,India 325/8 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 14 , )

Lyon continues. Yadav edges to Smith at first slip off the last ball. The delivery had plenty of air and spin on it. Two runs and a wicket in that over.

OUT! Yadav departs. Lyon gets the breakthrough. Bit of flight and turn from the off spinner as the lower order batsman edges to Smith at first slip. Umesh Yadav c Smith b Lyon 9(19)

After 113 overs,India 323/7 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 13 , Umesh Yadav 8)

Josh Hazlewood in action for the first time today. The Aussies can actually have pace from both ends instead of Lyon. Starc is known for wrapping up the tail and Lyon hasn’t been that effective. Two runs off the over.

After 112 overs,India 321/7 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 12 , Umesh Yadav 7)

Lyon continues. The Indian batsmen have played well against him. Ashwin drives the ball through the covers for a double off the second and clips the penultimate ball in front of square for a single. Three runs off the over.

After 111 overs, India 318/7 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 9, Umesh Yadav 7)

Starc continues. Yadav pushes the first towards covers for a single. Ashwin gets behind the line guides it towards point to for another single. That apart, the batsmen either leave or defend the short deliveries. Two runs off the over.

After 110 overs, India 316/7 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 8 , Umesh Yadav 6)

Lyon continues. Yadav collects a four off the second ball, thanks to a well-timed sweep shot. Six runs off the over.

FOUR! Yadav gets down on one leg and sweeps it towards square leg.

After 109 overs,India 310/7 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 7 , Umesh Yadav 1)

Starc continues and so does the short stuff as a bouncer hits Ashwin on the shoulder. The physio takes a look at the right-hander but the action resumes in no time. Ashwin tucks one towards backward square leg for a single. Yadav opens his account with a glance towards square leg. Three runs off the over.

India have lost only one Test after taking a first innings lead of 100-plus. They lost a Test against Sri Lanka after taking 192 runs first innings lead at Galle in 2015.

After 108 overs,India 307/7 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 5 , Umesh Yadav 0)

Lyon continues as Yadav joins Ashwin at the crease. The right hander takes a desperate single off the last which means he will retain strike in the next over. Good from India’s perspective if Ashwin faces more deliveries. Just one run off the over.

Not something one sees everyday in Test cricket

Captain of a team run-out more than once after crossing fifty in a Test series:-

Inzamam-ul-Haq🇵🇰 v ENG in 2005
Kohli & Rahane🇮🇳 v AUS in 2020#AUSvIND

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) December 28, 2020

After 107 overs,India 306/7 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 4 , Umesh Yadav 0)

Starc continues and he bangs the first one in to Jadeja. The left hander shows good reflexes to leave that one before attempting a pull shot off the next. Another short delivery off the penultimate ball and this time Jadeja plays the pull shot but holes out to Cummins on the leg side. How long can India last now? Maiden over for Starc.

OUT! The short stuff has worked. Jadeja timed that one really well but holed out to Cummins at deep mid-wicket. Jadeja c Cummins b Starc 57(159

After 106 overs,India 306/6 ( Ravindra Jadeja 57 , Ravichandran Ashwin 4)

Lyon continues after the drinks break. It has been a good session thus far for India, although the needless run that got Rahane run out could have been avoided. Maiden over for Lyon.

After 105 overs, India 306/6 ( Ravindra Jadeja 57, Ravichandran Ashwin 4)

Starc continues. Ashwin tucks the second to fine leg for a single. Jadeja collects a brace off the next after working the ball towards backward square leg. A bouncer off the fourth and sixth, but the latter was well directed. Three runs off the over. Time for drinks.

After 104 overs,India 303/6 ( Ravindra Jadeja 55 , Ravichandran Ashwin 3)

Lyon continues from one end. The ball is still reasonably hard so Lyon is still getting that extra bounce. And he’s a natural turner of the ball as well. Five runs off the over, including a four from the blade of Jadeja, who nailed the pull shot.

FOUR! Short from Lyon, Jadeja goes on the backfoot and pulls it away towards deep mid-wicket.

After 103 overs,India 298/6 ( Ravindra Jadeja 51 , Ravichandran Ashwin 2)

Starc is back into the attack. Plenty of short stuff to Jadeja in that over as the left-hander either leaves or defends. The last ball nearly takes the outside edge and Starc went around the wicket to Jadeja there. A maiden over for Starc.

Another example of great leadership from Rahane

Nice gesture from Rahane, he was encouraging Jadeja after the mistake which lead to the wicket through runout of the captain. pic.twitter.com/m9Fv0SP5QT

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 28, 2020

After 102 overs,India 298/6 ( Ravindra Jadeja 51 , Ravichandran Ashwin 2)

Lyon continues and the off spinner bowls yet another economical over, conceding just two runs. Jadeja played second fiddle to Rahane. With Ashwin in and the tail to follow, will he up the ante?

Ravindra Jadeja 50-plus scores in Tests:

Dec, 2012-Sep, 2016: 2
Oct, 2016-Dec, 2020: 14*

A well-deserved ovation after a magnificent century

The @mcg raises as one to give @ajinkyarahane88 a standing ovation as he departs after giving Jadeja an “it’s ok” Pat as the all-rounder apologised to him for the run-out #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/0WnRfa064z

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 28, 2020

After 101 overs,India 296/6 ( Ravindra Jadeja 50 , Ravichandran Ashwin 1)

Cummins continues. Jadeja finally completes his fifty and the sword celebration is on display. Just two runs off the over.

This is the first time that Ajinkya Rahane has been dismissed run-out in Tests.

50! Jadeja finally completes his fifty and the sword celebration is on display. He has only stuck two boundaries so far, highlighting how maturely he’s held one end.

After 100 overs,India 294/6 ( Ravindra Jadeja 49 , Ravichandran Ashwin 0)’

Lyon continues. Jadeja looks to get off the mark off the penultimate delivery but Rahane is just fractionally short of the crease as Paine dislodges the stumps after a good throw from Labuschagne. Just what Australia would have wanted. Rahane departs for a well-made 112.

OUT! Seemed like Jadeja would complete his fifty but Rahane failed to get to the other end as Paine dislodged the stumps in a jiffy. Big wicket this. Just what Australia would have wanted here, Rahane was looking rock solid. Rahane run out (Labuschagne) 112(223)

After 99 overs,India 294/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 112 , Ravindra Jadeja 49)

Cummins continues from one end. After facing four dots, Jadeja tickles the penultimate ball towards fine leg for a single. Rahane looks solid as ever with his defence off the last delivery. Just one run in the over.

After 98 overs,India 293/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 112 , Ravindra Jadeja 48)

Bowling change for Australia as Nathan Lyon comes into the attack. Gets extra bounce off the first against Jadeja. The left-hander defends the next one by getting nicely behind the line of the ball before tucking one towards square leg for a single, the only run in the over.

After 97 overs,India 292/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 112 , Ravindra Jadeja 47)

Cummins continues. The pitch seems to be a flat one and only the odd bouncer has caused problems for the visitors on Day 3 thus far. And yet, there hasn’t been much of the short stuff, especially to Rahane. Maiden over for Cummins.

After 96 overs,India 292/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 112 , Ravindra Jadeja 47)

Starc continues. Till this point, Jadeja has faced the short stuff from the Aussie pacers while lengths have been on fuller side to Rahane. The left hander drives off the front foot off the second ball and takes a single. Rahane does the same on the last ball. Two runs off the over.

After 95 overs,India 290/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 111 , Ravindra Jadeja 46)

Cummins continues. Rahane tucks the second delivery towards square leg for a single. Jadeja runs the ball down to third man for a boundary off the penultimate ball before tickling the ball to fine leg for a single. Six runs off the over.

FOUR! Jadeja runs the ball down to third man for a boundary. Played with soft hands.

After 94 overs,India 284/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 110 , Ravindra Jadeja 41)

Starc continues. The second delivery angles it Rahane’s pads and he flicks it towards fine leg for a single. Jadeja defends off the next and sneaks a single. Rahane plays an elegant cover drive off the fifth and takes a triple. A searing bouncer from Starc to Jadeja to end the over. Five runs off the over.

After 93 overs,India 279/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 106 , Ravindra Jadeja 40)

Cummins comes into the attack. Starts off with a well-directed bouncer and Jadeja does well to evade it. Another short ball off the fourth but an easy leave for the left-hander as it had height on it. A maiden over from Cummins as Jadeja looks solid in his defence.

After 92 overs,India 279/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 106 , Ravindra Jadeja 40)

Right, time for live action. And Starc has the ball. Jadeja gets off the mark with a single off the first delivery. Strays on Rahane’s pads off the fifth delivery and the stand in skipper tickles it down to fine leg for a double. Three runs in the first over of Day 3.

Fun Fact: None of Ajinkya Rahane’s previous 11 Test hundreds have been in a losing cause. Eight came in wins and three in draws.

With two set overnight batsmen at the crease – Rahane (104) and Jadeja (40) – and an unbroken partnership in excess of 100, India should be fancying a lead of at least 150 on Day 3. The first hour or so will be crucial as the hosts’ bowling attack will be fresh. The tail will come into play if a wicket falls and that’s why the Rahane-Jadeja partnership will be crucial from India’s perspective.

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting feels Ajinkya Rahane has done a great job for India “to pick up the pieces” from the Adelaide debacle with a captain’s knock on the second day of the Boxing Day Test. 

Sachin all praise for Rahane-Jadeja stand

Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar believes the unbroken partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja for the fifth wicket, which was worth 104 at the time of the umpires signalling the end of the day’s play on Sunday, as one that may have taken the game away from the Aussies.

The day belonged to Rahane, who lifted India from 64/3, took them through the doldrums with Vihari, took a backseat when Pant counterattacked, and took charge once Jadeja arrived, writes Abhishek Mukherjee in his analysis of the stand-in India captain’s gritty century on Day 2 that took India to a commanding position at stumps.

Welcome to Day 3 of the second Australia-India Test match from Melbourne. India have a slight edge ahead of Australia, with an 82-run lead. The visitors look well set at the moment, with Ajinkya Rahane (104*) and Ravindra Jadeja (40*) unbeaten. Stay tuned for more updates as we build up towards what should be an exciting day of Test cricket.