Ajinkya Rahane’s brilliant 112 and Ravindra Jadeja’s excellent half century helped India take a firm grip at the end of Day 3 of the second Test against Australia at Melbourne on Monday.
Resuming at overnight total of 277/5, the visitors lost skipper Rahane to a run out from Marnus Labuschagne.
Mitchell Starc tested Jadeja with short deliveries, and the move worked as the all rounder pulled one straight to the deep mid-wicket by Pat Cummins for a well made 57. His knock comprised of three fours.
Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon claimed the remaining wickets as India were bowled out for 326 giving them a significant lead of 131.
Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc claimed 3 wickets each, while Pat Cummins bagged 2 wickets.
Australia’s second innings started badly, as Joe Burns fell cheaply to a superb delivery from Umesh Yadav .
The pair of Matthew Wade and Marnus Labuschagne added 38 runs for the second wicket, before the latter was caught at slip by Rahane off Ravi Ashwin for 28.
Steve Smith’s horror run with the bat continued as he was bowled by Jasprit Bumrah round his legs.
Wade, looked solid in his knock of 40, before he was dismissed leg before wicket to Jadeja. Couple of overs later Travis Head fell to Mohammed Siraj as the home side were in deep trouble at 98/5.
Australia skipper Tim Paine became Jadeja’s second victim as he edged one to Pant. With the original decision being not out, Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane took the review and got the decision in their favour.
Chris Green and Pat Cummins kept the Indian bowlers at bay with a valuable unbeaten 34 run stand, as Australia ended up with 133/6 giving them a lead of 2 runs.
For India, Ravindra Jadeja claimed 2/25, while Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj & Ravi Ashwin claimed a wicket each.
Stumps at the end of Day 3- Australia 195 & 133/6 ( Matthew Wade 40, Ravindra Jadeja 2/ 25) India 326 (Ajinkya Rahane 112, Nathan Lyon 3 for 72).