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India v Australia, Ranchi Test lunch report: Jadeja bamboozles Smith, visitors trail by 69

India vs Australia Ranchi: This meant there were two new players in the middle who have a big mountain to climb Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh

Thanks to Cheteshwar Pujara and Wriddhiman Saha with the bat and Ravindra Jadeja with his all round exploits have positioned India in a situation when they went into the last day with an eye on a win. With Nathan Lyon bowled at the stroke of day, Steve Smith walked out to take strike to Jadeja first up. Renshaw was on the other side, they started well, they were cautious but were playing chance less cricket. The run rate was on the slower side but that is inconsequential considering India is playing for a win and the visitors are playing for a draw. The two in form Australian batted out the first hour without any trouble. But just after drinks. Renshaw got sucked into a dual with Ishant Sharma but Ishant got the better of that contest as Renshaw was trapped in front of his stumps, hitting middle. That must have set Australia back, but what really dented their chances of a draw was the wicket of Steve Smith. The dismissal was similar to Kohli’s dismissal at Pune where he left the ball alone.

Jadeja was coming around the stumps and he bowled a middle leg line, Smith offered no shot to it, the ball turned and disturbed the timber. That was a big blow to Australia. This meant there were two new players in the middle who have a big mountain to climb Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh. It will not be easy to counter Jadeja on a pitch that is offering him turn and bounce. Marsh is on 15* and Handscomb on 4*.

Considering the pitch will crumble more, India would need probably 20 overs to get if Australians set India lets say a 100.

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