At the outset of Day 3, India needed Wriddhiman Saha and Ravindra Jadeja to bat, bat and bat. They did exactly that and took India past the Australian score. But if you missed it, Jadeja was ruled out of the very first ball of the day by Pat Cummins. Jadeja soon opted for the DRS and he was proved right. India had a sigh of relief. Jadeja lost his wicket at the stroke of lunch, Cummins got him. Cummins set him up really well, before sliding in the double bluff wide outside the off stump to get him. Keefe then got rid of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. That left Saha stranded at one end, with no one providing substantial support. India folded out for 332 just at the stroke of lunch and lead by 32 runs. Jadeja fell for 65 and Saha was out for 31.
DRS drama in firecracker start to day three: https://t.co/pBJzSFihPc #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/FfIIDASX3D
— cricket.com.au Video (@CricketVideo) March 27, 2017
GOT HIM! Jadeja chops on and Cummins gets the much-needed breakthrough. Gone for an impressive 63, India 7-317 #INDvAUS
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 27, 2017
It seems India will be out there on the field soon with the bowlers having the responsibility of knocking off the visitors. But it is certain that the hosts will be compelled to bat last. Finally, Saha also lost his wicket at the stroke of lunch for 31, thanks to a brilliant catch by Steven Smith.
.@imjadeja celebrates as he brings up his 7th Test 50 and second of the series @Paytm #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/LEEn8UIzC0
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 27, 2017
GOT HIM! What a catch from the skipper in the cordon. A brute from Cummins does the trick again. Saha gone for 31. India 9-318 #INDvAUS
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 27, 2017
Australia will look to bat and set India a target of nothing less than 200-250. That is going to be a hard ask for India who will be batting fourth. This means toss has again played a pivotal role in deciding the fate of the match. Cummins who had hard luck yesterday picked up the crucial wicket of Ravindra Jadeja who was looking ominous. At the start of the day, the hosts must have been hoping for a lead in excess of 100 or 150 but that was not to be. Kuldeep Yadav will have to play a big role in the second innings.
