A well-deserved draw for both the teams as the historic Ranchi Test was a roller coaster ride with one session changing the course of the game. However, Indian team will take this with a pinch of salt as the DRS cost them 2 wickets because the field Umpire call was not in their favour. Otherwise, the Test would have been on a different course as there was still an hour to go towards the end of Day 5’s play.
Ravindra Jadeja bowled his heart out today, he got the follow-up breakthrough sending skipper Steven Smith back in the hut as soon as Matthew Renshaw fell prey to Ishant Sharma’s aggression. At stumps, Australia were leading by 52 runs. A draw Ranchi Test means that the next Test which is to be played in Dharamshala will be the series decider.
#TheDecider begins Saturday! #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/MyyR6KadFS
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
Here we are at the end of the proceedings bidding you goodbye. We will be back with more action as the fourth Test commences. Till then, stay tuned to inUth.
Match Drawn!! #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/LZkjdIfKpU
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 20, 2017
Day 5, Stumps, Match Drawn!
Peter Handscomb finishes unbeaten on 72 off 199 balls. That’s a knock to remember #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/psHfFzU86B
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
16:23 IST Jadeja continues, Kohli had a talk with the Umpires between overs. He still has not decided to call off the day’s play. Handscomb on strike, he does well to make room for himself and hit a boundary off the second ball. Jadeja comes over the wicket off the last ball, Handscomb defends it. The match is drawn!
16:20 IST Wade on strike, Ashwin continues, just a boundary off the over, 4-5 overs to go in the day’s play.
16:18 IST Handscomb on strike, Jadeja continues. A maiden over from Jadeja. The Australian batsmen did not take a run when the ball went in the gap. Virat Kohli is amused by that.
16:16 IST Ashwin is trying every ball in his armour to get a wicket. Wade does well to defend it, scores a boundary from the over. The last session has been an interesting one for both the teams.
16:12 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb takes a single on the second ball, brings Wade on strike. Turn and bounce for Jadeja, almost got the wicket of Wade. He takes a single off the next delivery. Handscomb plays the next ball towards square leg, no run. A defensive block to end the over, just 2 runs from it.
16:08 IST Mathew Wade comes into bat, he blocks out the last two deliveries, a maiden-wicket for Ashwin.
16:06 IST WICKET! Glenn Maxwell c Murali Vijay b R Ashwin 2 (15) Bat pad and gone, Ashwin gets a wicket finally, but too late to get that wicket.
Ashwin continues, bowls a doosra to Maxwell, but pitched outside leg, no need to review that one.
16:04 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb on strike. The first delivery almost got through. A few shots here and there knocked around made sure that Handscomb and Maxwell rotate strike. End of the over, just 2 ruhns from it.
16:02 IST Maxwell on strike, Ashwin continues. A maiden over from Ashwin, there is a lot of noise around the pitch with players cheering on every delivery. Maxwell does well to keep every delivery out, the ball is keeping low and spinning from the rough patch.
15:57 IST Glenn Maxwell comes in to bat, two lbw shouts, one after another bu the Umpire says no. Will we witness a twist here? He comes forward again and defends it, inside edge onto the pads. He takes a single off the last ball, retains strike.
15:55 IST WICKET! Shaun Marsh c Murali Vijay b Ravindra Jadeja 53 (147)
15:53 IST Ishant continues, he is still banging the delivery with raw pace. Short stuff from Ishant, at first it surprised Handscomb but on the second attempt, he muscled it towards deep mid-wicket boundary for four! The Ranchi Test is a dead rubber. It’s time to call off the proceedings now.
15:48 IST Jadeja continues, just a single from the over. Marsh is still troubled by Jadeja’s spin but the left-arm spinner’s effort seems to be going in vain as the historic Ranchi Test heads for a draw.
15:46 IST The highlight of the over was not the kind of ball he bowled or how the batsmen played it but Ishant’s imbalance on the field. He has been falling on the pitch for a few time since the morning. This over saw Ishant falling at the start of his runup which made Virat Kohli laugh, though he tried to help him out afterwards. Two singles from his over.
Ishant Sharma has been introduced into the attack, one last card from Kohli, will it turn out to be an ace.
15:40 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb on strike. He is not trying to do anything extraordinary, just trying to hit through the line. Jadeja is not getting any wickets now. A maiden over from him. Will we see a bowling change now?
Final hour of the Day 5’s play, it might get cut short though.
We’re into the final hour of the Test with a minimum of 15 overs left and Australia leading by 28 runs with six wickets in hand #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/HN9tiyWlY7
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
Drinks Break!
Handscomb on strike, Jadeja continues. He takes a single on the second ball again. Well, Marsh finally gets to his 50 on the fifth ball getting down the trafck and hitting the ball through covers. A dot ball to end the over.
15:30 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb is trying to break free now, hits the ball straight to fielder, no run. He takes a single on the second ball, Marsh on strike again. He should thank his starts now, been lucky for so many times. No runs scored off the remaining deliveries. Just a singel from Jadeja’s over.
FIFTY! What a way to bring it up! A glorious drive for four and @shaunmarsh9 brings up his half-century off 190 balls #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/xcv3AKtDrA
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
15:27 IST Ashwin continues, Handscomb on strike, he gets off strike on the second ball, brings Marsh on strike. He plays the first one with bat and pad to get there. Whoa! that one turned a lot, goes past Marsh’s bat. It will be apt to say that Australians have been lucky today.
15:25 IST Jadeja to Handscomb, again, he tries coming over the wicket to him. He is just padding and pushing the ball around, finally takes a single on the fifth ball. Marsh on strike, still needs two runs more to reach 50, blocks that one, no run.
15:22 IST Ashwin continues, Marsh on strike, just 2 runs away from his half-century. He is blocking them all, no runs scored yet. A big lbw shout! review taken by Kohli, but the Umpire’s call saves Australians again. Another maiden for Ashwin, he deserved Marsh’s wicket in this over.
15:17 IST Jadeja to Marsh, he takes a single from the first ball. Handscomb on strike, he pushes the ball towards mid-on, slight misfield, maybe that could get a wicket here, no run. the next two pushed towards covers, no runs scored. He gets down the pitch but Jadeja darts that one in, no run. Next one was pitched on the leg stump, played towards mid-wicket, just a single from the over.
15:15 IST Ashwin continues, Marsh on strike, still 4 runs away from his well-deserved half-century. After a few block shots, Marsh tries to get down the track and score, he gets successful on second attempt. Handscomb on strike for the last ball of the over, the ball beats the bat but not appeal-worthy, just a single from the over.
15:12 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb on strike, it seems like they are playing a waiting game. The runs have not been that easy to come by but the wickets too have not fallen after first innings. Jadeja is getting turn and bounce from the pitch but not a wicket, another maiden over.
15:09 IST Ashwin continues, Marsh on strike, he is just 4 runs away from his half-century. Another maiden for Ashwin as Marsh does not try to score through boundaries, just knocking the ball around.
15:07 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb on strike. The body language of the Indian bowlers has turned upside down after the first session. A boundary from the over, this Test has lost it’s interesting value.
15:04 IST Ashwin continues, he is bowling round the wicket to Marsh. He is just playing out the over whereas Ashwin is trying to give the ball some air time. A maiden for him, but that does not matter now.
15:02 IST Jadeja to Marsh, he has tried everything in this over, coming over the wicket, round the wicket but could not get better of Marsh. He takes a single off the fifth ball. Handscomb defends the last ball, no run. It is just a matter of time before the captains shake each other hands and call it a day.
14:59 IST Yadav continues, Handscomb hits a boundary and gets to his 50. This would be considered as the redemption that Handscomb got after the ‘brain fade’ incident. A couple more runs from the over, this Test has officially gone boring.
FIFTY! What a performance from @phandscomb54! It comes off 126 balls when Australia desperately needed it #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/j3ouGgLKpq
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
14:54 IST Marsh on strike, Jadeja continues. The ball is getting a lot of help from the pitch but somehow Jadeja is not getting a wicket. Just two singles from the over. Australian players must have breathed a sigh of relief.
14:51 IST Yadav continues, a good length delivery defended on the front foot by Marsh. He lets the next one go into Saha’s gloves. Next ball, FOUR! that one asked to be punished, goes down the leg side for a boundary. They have taken lead now. Short delivery, hits him on the gloves, no run there for him. He takes a single towards square leg for a single. Handscomb on strike now, dot ball to end the over.
Australia get rid of the trail, the Ranchi Test headed towards a draw!
AUSTRALIA TAKE THE LEAD!#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/E7JnSMM10j
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
Meanwhile, a special guest is keeping a close eye on things… #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/Hbm3HYdiZv
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
14:45 IST Jadeja continues, Marsh on strike, he plays the first two with caution on front foot with a straight bat. The next one spun a bit more as it hit the pads, takes a single. Handscomb is now on strike. he too is defending the ball on front foot. A dot ball pushed towards covers, just a single from the over.
14:43 IST Umesh Yadav into the attack, review taken straight away as the inswinger hits the back pad of Handscomb. Is that out? No Umpire’s call respected, had he given his decision in India’s favour, it would have been a breakthrough India was looking for. He blocks the next one on front foot, no run. Yadav has complained out the ball, it’s seam has come off a bit.
Next ball, that one kept low but Handscomb does well to get bat on it, takes a single. Marsh on strike, that one was angled into the stumps, he keeps that one out, no run. An eventful over has come to an end, Marsh takes a single off the short delivery. Just one run of trail left. The Ranchi Test is clearly headed for a draw.
Handscomb survives… but only just! #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/zv8OxmUYhR
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
14:34 IST Ashwin continues, Marsh on strike. He blocks the first delivery. He drives the next one towards mid-on, no run. Is that a stump out? Umpire sends it to third umpire. Marsh went through with the shot even after missing the ball, gets his back foot into the crease in time. Another maiden for Ashwin.
14:31 IST Players are back into the field for the last session of play, will we get a result here, quite unlikely!
The game has totally changed in the second session. After first session it looked like that after Steven Smith and Matthew Renshaw’s wicket, it would be a matter of time before Australia get bundled out. But, it was the resilience of Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh. The third Test is heading towards a draw until and unless there is a miracle innings from any Indian bowler.
Tea Break!
14:11 IST Last over before tea break, Jadeja continues, Marsh on strike, he takes a single on the first ball. Handscomb is on strike now, he blocks two deliveries in similar fashion, no run. Plays the next one towards covers, no run. He flicks the ball on the full towards backward square leg for couple of runs. Last ball before tea break, a front foot block to end the second session.
14:08 IST Ashwin continues, Marsh on strike, he takes a single on the second ball nudging the ball towards square leg. Handscomb on strike, he is on 42. Lbw shout but the Umpire says no. Handscomb comes down the track and the ball hits the pads, no run. He works the next one towards mid-wicket, no run. Ashwin pulls off from the previous ball. Another nudge towards mid-wicket, no run. He comes down the wicket and pushes it back to Ashwin, no run.
14:04 IST Jadeja contiues, Handscomb on strike, a dot ball to start with, takes a faint edge. He plays the next one with a straight bat, no run. Next ball, he tries to work that one towards mid-wicket but the ball goes straight to him. Another defensive block there, just 7 runs of trail left. Another front foot block, this is getting frustrating by every ball bowled. Beaten on the last ball, a maiden from Jadeja.
14:01 IST Ashwin continues, Handscomb on strike, goes back into the crease and defends it, no run. More dots to follow, an unusual fielding setup with two fielders on the short mid-wicket area. Handscomb takes a single dancing down the wicket and piercing those two fielders. Marsh on strike, he pushes the ball towards mid-off, no run. Turn and bounce, how did that happen? Marsh survives.
13:58 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb on strike, he takes a single off the second ball getting back into the crease and finding a gap towards mid-wicket. Marsh on strike, he comes forward and defends it, no run. Lbw shout! but the Umpire says no. Kohli does not opt for a review with bounce being a variable there. No runs scored off the last ball, just a single from his over.
13:55 IST Ashwin continues, Marsh on strike, he takes a single on the second ball of the over. Peter Handscomb on strike, he rotates the strike as well. They are having it easy on the field now. Two defenive blocks from Marsh with a straight bat. Just 2 runs from the over.
13:52 IST Jadeja is back into the attack, Handscomb on strike. He defends the first two. A drive followed by that piercing the two fielders on off side, picks up a couple of runs. He is gearing up for a big knock. He is not getting carried away even at this juncture of the game. Gets beaten on the last ball, luck favours him, just 2 runs from the over.
13:49 IST Ashwin continues, Handscomb on strike, he takes a single towards square leg, wait! it’s an overthrow, 4 more runs to Australia. The frustration has started to show on everyone’s face now. This Test it heading towards a draw. Marsh plays out the rest of the deliveries.
13:45 IST Ishant Sharma continues, Handscomb on strike, he starts off with an inswinger, defended well on the back foot. Next ball, he takes a single as the ball goes towards the third man. Marsh on strike, he shoulders arms on that occasion, happy to let that go. Whoa! brilliant delivery from Ishant but hits the pads outside the line of off stump, unlucky for Ishant not to get a wicket there. Marsh drives the ball towards mid-off, no run. He lets the last one go into Saha’s hands.
13:39 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb is happy to take a single and get off strike. Marsh on strike, a few appeals but he has managed to survive a fearsome Jadeja’s over. The ball is spinning square but Marsh is ruling out the possibility of lbw.
13:36 IST Ishant to Handscomb, he takes a single off the first delivery towards third man. Marsh on strike, Ishant comes round the wicket to him. He leaves the next ball as it was well off offside, with two slips in place touching that is not a good shot. He pushes the next one towards off side but straight to fielder, no run. Next ball, he defends that one was angled into him. He shoulders arms on next delivery, Ishant not showing any anger of his he did in the first session. A short delivery to end the over, just a single from it.
Ishant Sharma comes back into the attack, get ready for an aggressive session.
13:30 IST Jadeja continues, he manages to keep Marsh quiet. Good line and length from Jadeja as he is bowling into the rough, another maiden over from him. India desperately need a wicket now if they are to win this Test.
13:27 IST Ashwin continues, Handscomb on strike, he plays the ball on the full and hits it towards mid-wicket boundary, a beautiful shot for him. He follows that up with a single, brings Marsh on strike, he goes back into the crease and nudges the ball for a single towards mid-wicket. FOUR! He rocks back on the back foot and hits the ball for a boundary, beating the fielder on the covers region. A defensive block, coming down the wicket, no run. He comes down the track again, another boundary! Handscomb is trying to break free now, three boundaries from the over.
13:23 IST Jadeja continues, Marsh on strike, he defends one towards on side and the next with a straight bat. Another defensive block followed by a boundary as he hits the ball on the full towards extra covers. Welcome boundary for Australia, he defends the rest of the deliveries, just 4 runs from the over.
13:20 IST Ashwin continues, Handscomb on strike, he comes down the track and pushes the ball for a single towards deep mid-on, quick single there. Marsh on strike, lbw shout but the ball hit the bat first. He takes a single towards mid-wicket on the next ball. Handscomb on strike, he plays a forward block on that one, no run. He comes down the track, another quick single, this time towards mid-wicket. These two are trying to create pressure on Indian bowlers. Marsh drives and takes another quick single, retains strike.
13:17 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb on strike, he plays the first one towards covers, no run. He brings bat and pad forward on the next, no run. Another defensive block from Handscomb. Next ball, he drives but straight to short extra covers, no run. Block-after-block from Handscomb. Finally! a single taken by him. Welcome single for Australia!
If this continues, the Ranchi Test is heading towards a draw. India need another over like Ishant Sharma’s.
13:11 IST Ashwin continues, Marsh uses his pads to play the ball. Another dot ball there, over the wicket is not working for him. Ashwin comes round the wicket, Marsh is defending it with straight bat. He comes down the wicket on last ball but could not work it for a single. Fifth maiden in a row!
13:09 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb on strike. He is trying to work the ball for a single but finding the fielder at every instance. Jadeja beats the offside edge on the fifth ball, he was appealing but did not get any response, anothe maiden over, not a single run from past four overs.
13:06 IST Ashwin continues, Marsh on strike, he defends the first one and plays the second one towards mid-wicket, no run. He tries to work the next one towards square-leg, no run. Another defensive block from him, no run. Ashwin comes over the wicket now, Marsh comes forward and defends that one as well. Another dot delivery, another maiden over, not a single run from previous three overs.
13:04 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb on strike, he defends the first ball followed by a gentle push towards covers. He is not able to score runs freely, plays two more dot deliveries as Jadeja comes over the wicket. He is bowling a tight line bowling dots after dots. Another maiden for Jadeja, pressure building up on Australian batsmen.
13:01 IST Ashwin continues, spin from both ends now. Marsh takes a single after defending the first ball. So does Handscomb coming down the track as the mid-wicket fielder gets his fingers on that. Marsh plays two more dot deliveries with straight bat on front foor, just 2 runs from the over.
12:59 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb on strike, another shout for LBW. He is trying to play India’s in-form spinner with defensive mode. Another maiden from Jadeja. India still looking for a breakthrough otherwise this Test is heading for a draw.
12:56 IST Yadav continues, Handscomb on strike, a slight mix-up but Marsh gets back into the crease in time. He guides the next ball towards third man for a single. Lbw shout, the Umpire says no. Kohli opts to take the review this time. A waste of review there as the ball was clearly pitching outside leg stump. First review wasted in this innings. Next ball, Marsh defends that one, no run. Another one pushed back to the bowler, no run. A bouncer from Yadav, Marsh lets that one go, no run.
12:50 IST Ashwin continues, attacking field for him, he is defending the balls with a straight bat. He does not seem to have even a tiny bit of problem in this over. Another maiden for Ashwin, Marsh signals to the pavilion, he wants a change of gloves.
12:47 IST Handscomb on strike, Yadav continues, he takes a single towards long leg, Marsh on strike. He is leaving and defending Yadav when he bowls a rather short line than usual. He takes a single on the fourth one. Handscomb on strike, he is surprised by the turn and bounce, Australian batsmen still trying to survive.
12:42 IST Ashwin continues, Marsh on strike, he defends the first two deliveries with a straight bat. He uses his feet and pushes the ball towards long on for a boundary, 100 up for Australia, trail by 49 runs. Ashwin is getting turn and bounce but Marsh does well to identify the trajectory of the ball.
12:39 IST Marsh on strike, Yadav continues, he is fishing in dangerous waters, tries to drive but the ball was way off the offside, misses the edge. Yadav cannot believe that one missed the edge, Marsh breathes a sigh of relief. Marsh defends the next one as it was angled into the stumps. He watches the next one into Saha’s gloves.
Next ball, he pushes the ball towards third man for a single. Handscomb on strike, another beauty of a delivery, how did that one miss the edge? Yadav deserves a wicket now as Handscomb goes fishing now. A yorker follows, Handscomb plays it towards sqaure leg, no run/
12:35 IST Ashwin continues, Handscomb on strike, he is trying to get off strike every now and then. But, he understands that Australia cannot win the match from here. He is in a rather defensive mode, another maiden for Ashwin.
12:32 IST Umesh Yadav continues, Handscomb on strike. He is still having problems with uneven bounce coming into play, manages to get off strike. Marsh is being cautious by scoring runs from every opportunity, he scores a boundary for them. Australia still trail by 56 runs.
12:30 IST Ashwin continues, Handscomb on strike. First ball and it was half-a-chance for Nair at short leg, hit him on the right leg. Just a single from Ashwin as Handscomb has no choice but to defend, retains strike.
12:24 IST Yadav to Marsh. The left-hander is having troubles facing Yadav round the wicket as he is bowling in the area of uncertainties. He has been beaten two times in the over, on the third one he missed the edge by a whisker. Yadav is still striving to get his first wicket of the innings, he took 3 in the first one. A maiden over from him as Marsh is still struggling to play himself in.
12:21 IST Ashwin continues, Handscomb on strike, he blocks the first two and plays the next one towards on side, no run. Edged and safe! Handscomb survives a scare as it bounced a bit more than expected, one more fielder in catching position needed there. The next one was posted on the leg side, 3 runs taken, he played that one fine, retains strike.
12:17 IST Umesh Yadav starts the proceedings of the second session, Peter Handscomb on strike. He does well to defend that one, no run. Next ball, left alone by Handscomb as he watches the ball closely going into Saha’s gloves. Next ball, Handscomb covers his castle and leaves the ball alone, no run.
He guides the next one towards backward point for a single. Marsh on strike, he hops in his crease and guides the short ball towards short third man, no run. Next ball, he tries to nudge the ball towards fine leg, two runs taken, leg-byes signalled by the Umpire.
12:12 IST Players are in the field for the second session of Day 5
12:05 IST: The second session is about to start, the Day 5 of the historic Ranchi Test is going to get more interesting with every over. Will India beat Australia in the visitors’ 800th Test? Stay tuned to find out!
The first session went through a build up as Steven Smith and Matthew Renshaw tried to carry out a block-a-thon session. They almost succeeded but it was Ishant Sharma who fired up the Ranchi Test. His aggression paved the way for a breakthrough as Renshaw had to face fiery deliveries from Ishant. Soon enough a snooter of a delivery on the pads meant that India get the opening they were looking for.
But the highlight of the day will be Steven Smith’s wicket. Jadeja was bowling his heart out in the first session but did not get the wicket. It took a marvellous delivery to get rid of Smith. He had no clue what hit him as the ball spun from outside the leg stump, uprooting the offstump. Smith had prepared to play that one with pads. He faced a similar fate to what Virat Kohli faced in Pune in the hands of Steve O’Keefe but over the wicket.
India’s session. With virtually no role for the no 1 matchwinner in recent years. Expect Ashwin and Yadav to have lengthy spells post lunch
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 20, 2017
Lunch on Day 5, Australia are (451 & 83/4) trail India (603/9d) by 69 runs #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/gDFEZqZZ5X
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 20, 2017
Lunch Break!
11:31 IST Marsh on strike, Jadeja to bowl last over before lunch. Marsh takes a single off the second ball. Handscomb on strike, he drives the next one towards covers, no run. He tries to play the next two with the pads, no runs scored. He drives the last ball and gets 3 runs from that, end of the first session.
11:28 IST Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack, first ball defended well on front foot. Similar shot but this time the ball hits the pads, lbw shout from Ashwin but the Umpire says no. A good over from Ashwin as Marsh struggled to identify which ball will turn and which one won’t.
11:26 IST Jadeja continues, Marsh on strike, he goes back into the crease and flicks the ball towards square leg boundary. Jadeja gets dirt on his hands, the ball might have slipped on that occasion. He comes forward and defends the next ball followed by a nudge towards backward square leg for a single. Handscomb on strike, Jadeja comes round the wicket, he too comes forward and defends it with a straight bat. Whoa! that one kept low, Handscomb does well to get bat on that. Another dot, just a single from the over.
11:22 IST Ishant continues, Marsh on strike, there is a short leg in place. The first ball was pitched short and wide of the offstump, Marsh lets it go into Saha’s gloves. A fuller delivery from Ishant, Marsh does well to defend that, no run. No ball from Ishant, he plays it towards mid-wicket, takes a single. Handscomb on strike, the angled in delivery defended well on the back foot.
FOUR byes! that one was pitched way down the leg side, Saha could not get his glove on that as the ball went racing towards the boundary. He takes a single towards square leg on the next ball. Kohli and Ishant and Kohli having a change in the field for Marsh. He works it inside the circle for a single, retains strike.
11:15 IST Jadeja to Marsh, he takes a single on the second delivery towards square leg. Handscmb on strike, Jadeja is bowling a similar line to that off he bowled to Smith. Handscomb is padding the ball away and playing with the bat when it is pitching on the leg stump, not making the same mistake as his captain did, just a single of the over.
11:12 IST Marsh on strike, Ishant continues. he picks up the line of the ball and leaves it alone, no run. Another dot to follow from Ishant. Another leave from Marsh, that was pitched down the leg side. Short ball from Ishant, Marsh again shoulders arms and lets that one go into Saha’s hands. Whoa! that one missed the edge by a whisker, Ishant has a smile on his face, Marsh ignore that. He takes a single off the last ball, end of the over.
11:05 IST Jadeja to Peter Handscomb, he is coming round the wicket to him. A wicket-maiden over from Jadeja as Handscomb was really cautious defending every ball
11:02 IST WICKET! Steven Smith b Ravindra Jadeja 21 (68) First ball of the over from Jadeja over the wicket, puff of dust, Smith made the mistake of leaving it, the ball spun a mile and got the wicket of Smith, he did not had a clue what hit him. Smiles all aorund as the captain is back in the pavilion.
Ishant Sharma isn’t sparing anyone, an eventful over comes to an end as the first ball Marsh faced got Sharma to fall on the pitch, a boundary to start with. The second one was a snooter of a delivery which hits Renshaw on the ribs. Ishant gives him a stare.
Shaun Marsh comes into bat
10:57 IST WICKET! Matthew Renshaw lbw Ishant Sharma 15(84). That one was pitched up, the ball had raw pace. After a few short deliveries, the fuller one surprised Renshaw as he could not get bat on that. Ishant gets the wicket he worked so hard for in this over.
10:57 IST Ishant continues, Renshaw on strike, first ball, he edges it towards gully, no run as Kohli cuts it off. Whoa! that one was short and into the ribs, the ball bounces and hits Renshaw’s helmet softly, Ishant again had a few words for him. That was followed by a light moment on the field. Laughs all around.
Aggression from Ishant Sharma as he had to pull off from the first ball. Renshaw decided not to play that one. The whole team came in and had a chat. This is against the spirit of the game. Some words exchanged between Sharma-Smith-Renshaw. The first session just got interesting.
10:51 IST Jadeja continues, Smith on strike, he comes forward and defends the first ball. A similar result off the next ball as well. Whoa! Smith beaten by the bounce he got there, gets pas the outside edge. Smith again, shows no intent to score runs, just to block, another maiden for Jadeja.
10:49 IST Ishant Sharma continues, Smith on strike, he turns the ball towards fine leg for a single. Renshaw on strike, Ishant comes round the wicket to him, angled in delivery defended on the front foot, no run. He comes forward on the next ball but shoulders arms on the last moment, no run. Renshaw shoulders arms again, this time with confidence, no sudden movements. Another front foot block from Renshaw. He blocks the last ball as well, uneven bounce there but managed to get bat on that.
10:43 IST Jadeja continues, Renshaw on strike, he comes forward and defends that one. Whoa! turn and bounce, the ball misses everything and runs towards the boundary, four byes to Australia. Jadeja deserves a wicket now. He is causing problems for Renshaw, no runs scored off the rest of deliveries.
10:41 IST Ishant Sharma continues, Renshaw on strike. back of the length delivery, well defended by him on the back foot, no run. Angled on the leg stump, Renshaw drops the bat and defends it. Umpire warns Ishant, tells him not to run on the pitch as Smith complaint. Next ball, pitched up delivery from Ishant, Renshaw plays it within the crease, no run.
He shuffles across on the next ball and takes a single towards onside. Smith on strike, he lets that one go into Saha’s hands, no run. FOUR! Ishant misses the line, Smith shuffles across and hits it towards mid-wicket boundary for four. He leaves the last ball, the message is loud and clear, play the ball on it’s merit.
Drinks Break!
10:30 IST Jadeja to Smith, Smith on strike, he defends the first on front foot and pushes the next towards mid-on, no runs scored. Comes round the wicket now, trying to bowl into the rough, Smith plays them with his pads, similar to that of Pujara. He tries to play the fifth ball but it did not run, hits the pads, no run. Another dot to end the over, another maiden for Jadeja.
The Aussies make it through the first hour unscathed with Smith 16* off 57 and Renshaw 14* off 65: https://t.co/EgbDSOUWdB #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/nzd7DkYkh3
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
10:28 IST Ishant Sharma continues, he is bowling the same line to Smith. It seems like they are blocking the flow of runs, giving Jadeja a chance to create pressure and make them commit a mistake. Smith drives the next ball towards point for a couple of runs. Another leave from Smith, he is not falling into the trap. Another leave from Smith, so far so good for the Aussie batsmen. Smith pushes the next one past the bowler for a single. Renshaw on strike, angled into the stumps from round the wicket, defended well in the crease, no run.
10:22 IST Jadeja continues, Renshaw on strike. He takes a couple of runs on the second ball as it took a dead edge off the bat. Change in field for Renshaw. He plays the next one on front foot, no run. He defends another one on the back foot, no run. Whoa! that one kept low, Renshaw does well to get his bat out of the line in time.
10:19 IST Ishant Sharma into the attack, Smith on strike, He is not giving the bowler any chance, leaves the first ball, no run. Left alone again, Ishant will have to try something else to unsettle Smith. He drives the ball towards covers but finds Jadeja, no run. A waste of a delivery, it was pitched way outside off, Smith lets that go as well. Another one pitched there, Smith lets it go, no run. Will Ranchi Test end in a draw? He guides the ball towards square, takes a couple of runs. Pitched up delivery, driven towards mid-off, no run.
10:11 IST Jadeja continues, lbw shout from him but the Umpire says no, the impact was clearly outside the line of off stump. Renshaw is trying to get off strike, does not succeed in doing so. He is going deep into the crease trying to get in the line of the ball, one should say that he is batting really well given the circumstances. A maiden over from Jadeja. Though the last ball took and inside edge and went wide off the short leg. Kohli says he wants a fielder there in the next over.
10:09 IST Yadav continues, Smith on strike, he guides the ball towards point, gets past the fielder, takes a couple of runs. He leaves that one, Smith has shown determination today, not ready to give up or let the bowlers dominate him. Smith is trying to frustrate Yadav the same way. No runs scored off the rest of the over.
10:05 IST Jadeja continues, Renshaw on strike, turn and bounce for him, surprises the batsmen, good ball. Is there an edge, the ball did not turn as Renshaw expected it to be, no run. Two more dot deliveries to follow, Jadeja is getting help from the pitch. Renshaw defends another one, a wicket just might be around the corner, mistimes the last ball, a maiden over from Jadeja.
10:03 IST Renshaw on strike, Yadav continues. He angles in the first delivery on the stumps, Renshaw defends it. He shoulders arms on the next ball, no intention to touch that one, picked the line early. Edged but safe! the ball goes towards point, no run. Another leave outside off from Renshaw. Next ball, he tries to take a single pushing the ball towards mid-on but the fielder does not let it happen, no run. A forward push off the front foot, finds the fielder, but manages to take a single.
10:00 IST Jadeja continues, he is darting the deliveries into the right-hander and Smith is playing them defensively. A maiden over from Jadeja as Smith refuses to show intent to score runs.
9:57 IST Yadav continues, Smith on strike. He leaves that one alone, no intentions to play the new ball outside the line of off stump. Another leave, this seems to be quite frustrating for Yadav. He leaves again, not touching anything outside the line of off stump. The next one did not interest him as well, no run, Saha collects it. Uneven bounce! this time Smith tries to play it but the ball kept really low, Saha collected it on the bounce. He takes a single towards point on the last ball, retains strike.
9:53 IST Jadeja continues, Renshaw guides that one towards backward point for a couple of runs, these are valuable considering the stage the Ranchi Test it. Renshaw and Smith trying to do what Pujara and Saha did. It seems they have started a blockathon. Will have to see how long it works.
9:51 IST Yadav continues, Smith on strike, that one did not bounce at all, lets that one go into Saha’s gloves, watching it closely. Smith does not play that one as well, the ball was outside the line of offstump. Another one left for the wicketkeeper to collect. Seems like Smith has watched a few videos of Pujara. Another one left for Saha to collect, no run. Yadav bowls the next one on stumps, Smith defends it with a straight bat, no run. Another leave to end the over, Smith has come with a clear mindset, he wants to draw the Ranchi Test
9:46 IST Jadeja continues, Smith on strike. he plays the first one towards covers, no run. Smith takes a single on the next delivery, Renshaw on strike now. He is being cautious trying to get in line and play with the spin. He too is the key if Australia are to survive the first session. Edged and safe! fell short of first slip, good bowling from Jadeja.
It seems like Australian batsmen have started off positively, they have a belief that if Pujara-Saha can, we can too!
9:43 IST Yadav continues, Renshaw on strike. Yadav has decided to come round the wicket, to him. Renshaw gets behind the line of the ball and defends it. Next ball, he plays it towards square leg for a single, that brings Smith on strike. He plays down the ball back to the bowler, no run. Full pitched delivery this time, Smith presents a straight bat, no run. Short ball, Smith pulls that one along the ground for a single. Renshaw to face the last ball of the over, Bouncer! he does well to leave that, good bowling from Yadav.
9:39 IST Jadeja continues, Renshaw on strike. The first one spun fiercely whereas the second one didn’t, beating the batsmen. Renshaw is protecting his castle, he pushes the next two towards mid-on and mid-off respectively. He takes a single off the next towards short third man. Smith on strike, he pushes it towards mid-off, no run.
9:36 IST Umesh Yadav into the attack, Smith on strike, he shuffles across and guides the ball towards square leg for a couple of runs as Vijay does well to cut that off. Next ball, he plays it towards covers, no run. Next ball, this one kept low, Smith does well to bring his bat down in time, no run.
Next ball, he plays it towards mid-on, Ashwin does well to field that one, no run. Another inswinger from Yadav, Smith gets in the line and defends it, no run. Next ball, fine shot, FOUR! Smith gets his first boundary, a gentle push past the covers fielder for boundary.
9:32 IST Jadeja continues his over, not much problem for Smith straight away, he is being cautious at the start. Smith takes a single on the fifth ball of the over and brings Matthew Renshaw on strike, just a single from the over.
9:29 IST The players are out in the middle for the first session of Day 5’s play. Jadeja gears up to bowl to Steven Smith
9:22 IST The Umpires are out in the field for pitch inspection. No chances of rain, even the rain Gods would not come to rescue the Australians.
9:20 IST Meanwhile, the Indian fielders engage in catching practice. It will be crucial on Day 5 that India do not miss any catches in the slip position. Kohli would look to set an attacking field for the Australian batsmen.
9:15 IST One can easily see the cracks on the pitch, the Aussies too would have had a luck at the surface and devised their strategies. The question is whether skipper Virat Kohli will give the ball to fast bowlers or stick to the spinners as the ball is new.
Welcome to inUth’s digital coverage of India vs Australia Day 5 proceedings. We will keep you posted with every run, every appeal and every wicket falling on the final day of the historic Ranchi Test. India are in a commanding position in the Ranchi Test as the spin is coming into play on the final stages of the Test. Ravindra Jadeja is the biggest threat having taken 2 wickets in the last session of the game and putting the Aussies under pressure.
Time to grab them all on Day 5 #INDvAUS #TeamIndia @Paytm Test cricket pic.twitter.com/DXmqnwL7eY
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 20, 2017
Target practice – @ImIshant in action #INDvAUS #TeamIndia @Paytm Test cricket pic.twitter.com/OEUK8ZngWo
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 20, 2017
Big day for the bowlers coming up! Marking run-ups @y_umesh before the start of play #INDvAUS #TeamIndia @Paytm Test cricket pic.twitter.com/qgewpX2Ngg
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 20, 2017
One hand then two for Renshaw #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/L9bqCDLPYr
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
Cheteshwar Pujara’s double hundred, Wriddhiman Saha’s hundred and some late fireworks from Jadeja made sure that India get past the 600 mark and take a lead over 150 runs after first innings. Australia have already lost two wickets. Nathan Lyon, the nightwatchman’s watch was cut short by Jadeja. he will be continuing his over on Day 5 as Steven Smith will come out to bat.
199 runs & 317 minutes later. The partnership continues on and off the field @Wriddhipops & @cheteshwar1 #TeamIndia #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/iyCFlnDAEG
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 19, 2017
Both sides relaxed ahead of a tense final day #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/gfKLWkHR3x
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
It is going to be a whole lot of tough for the Australian batsmen as the pitch is going to be a heaven for Indian bowlers. It will be hard for them to keep the wickets intact. According to speculations even if they did get a lead it would not be a big one and would be chased down easily by Indian batsmen.
Pitch Report:
The Ranchi surface had started to deteriorate on Day 4 itself. The last overs of Jadeja showed that he is going to use the rough and try and bundle out Australians as soon as possible. He is going to be a threat to the left-handers, the way the ball spun square to get David Warner was disheartening to see. In Indian conditions, Day 5 pitch is always dangerous and Ranchi surface is no different.
Playing XI India: Lokesh Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair, Wriddhiman Saha(wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma
Playing XI Australia: David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Steven Smith(c), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade(wk), Pat Cummins, Steve O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Umpires: Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould
Third Umpire: Nigel Llong
Match Referee: Sir Richie Richardson
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