Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur both scored fine half centuries as India fought back at the end of Day 3 of the opening test of the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia at Oval on Friday.
Resuming at overnight score of 151/5, India lost KS Bharat in the second ball of the day to Scott Boland for 5. The pair of Rahane along with Thakur brought India back into the contest with a valuable 109 run stand for the seventh wicket before the former fell to a brilliant catch at gully by Cameron Green off Pat Cummins for 89.
After his dismissal, Australia bowlers wrapped up the innings quickly as India were bowled out for 296 giving Australia an healthy lead of 173.
In response, Mohammed Siraj drew first blood by dismissing David Warner (1) in the fourth over. Usman Khawaja then edged a wide delivery from Umesh Yadav behind the stumps for 13.
The pair of Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith steadied the ship with a 62 run stand for the third wicket before the latter perished to Ravindra Jadeja while attempting a wild slog.
Jadeja claimed his second wicket by dismissing Travis Head caught and bowled for 18.
At the end of Day 3, Australia finished at 123/4, with an overall lead of 296. Labuschagne and Cameron Green remained unbeaten on 41 & 7 respectively.
Stumps at the end of Day 3
Australia 123 for 4 (Labuschagne 41*, Jadeja 2-25) and 469 lead India 296 (Rahane 89, Shardul 51, Cummins 3-83) by 296 runs