After the heroics of Cheteshwar Pujara (202) and Wriddhiman Saha (117) in the first innings, Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb fought patiently to land the 3rd Test of the India vs Australia series in Ranchi into a draw. India declared the first innings after scoring 603/9 and taking a lead of 152 runs. The Aussies came into bat in the third session of Day 4 and continued their innings until the end of Day 5 as the game ended in a draw.
After losing 4 early wickets in the second innings, Aussies were left with just one option and that was to save the game anyhow. Shaun Marsh (53) and Peter Handscomb (72) together took the game far away from the hands of the hosts and added 124 runs for the 6th wicket. India could two more scalps in the final session of Day 5 where Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the highest wicket taking bowler in this game. In fist innings, Jadeja dismissed 5 batsmen while 4 in the second and took a total of 9 wickets in Ranchi.
It was the first game of the series which displayed some terrific glimpses of Test cricket. It was the fist match which stretched to the 5th day, some marvellous innings and partnerships were seen and was full of spirit of cricket. The Twiterrati applauded the efforts of both the side and it seems that they too have enjoyed every bit of it.
Great fight today boys. Serious ticker and character. Good tough cricket. #straya
— Mitch Starc (@mstarc56) March 20, 2017
“Saving a Test match is an art” once said by Dravid. Today two Aussie done the same. Well played Handscomb & Shaun Marsh.#IndvAus #INDvsAUS
— Sivabalan (@ImSbalan) March 20, 2017
This test was all about two sets of resolute partnerships, Pujara-Saha & Marsh-Handscomb that defied all odds!!! #INDvsAUS
— Sheethal Ravindran (@sheethur) March 20, 2017
Application , Patience , Proper Shots makes test cricket better
But “Brain Fade” leaves will make it as comedy!!@stevesmith49 #INDvsAUS— Induneshan sachu (@induneshan) March 20, 2017
When You See Those Smiling Australian Faces After Draw Proves Why Everyone Should Be Scared Of No.1 Test Team In The World..!#INDvsAUS
— Nikhil P. Chaudhari (@NikhilC28658033) March 20, 2017
IT’S A DRAW
Huge effort from Marsh & Handscomb to keep the series locked at 1-1
Bring on the Dharamsala Decider #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/g1dawrlUXZ
— Abhay Pathania (@aBHAYpATHANIA92) March 20, 2017
Fantastic 5 days for test cricket !!
What a brilliant perfomance by Sir Jadeja !
Application matters at any kind of surface#INDvsAUS— Induneshan sachu (@induneshan) March 20, 2017
Always a pleasure to see such fighting draws. Just a reminder of how beautiful this game is . Well Played Ausies. #INDvsAUS
— Parishrut Tripathi (@Parishrutt) March 20, 2017
Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh deny Victory to India. DRAW to is a result . In to the decider at Dharamsala , TEST CRICKET #INDvsAUS !!!
— Selvam (@Selvam_R7) March 20, 2017
INDIA vs AUSTRALIA: 1st draw in last 10 Test matches in India #INDvsAUS #IndvAus pic.twitter.com/TNCTHtQH4R
— Cricket Trolls (@MycricketTrolls) March 20, 2017
Now since only 3 innings were possible in the test, Ranchi wicket also can be termed “poor” by the match referee. #IndvsAus
— K (@krronicles) March 20, 2017
Here are some Virat kohli highlights from this series!
sit back & enjoy #INDVSAUS pic.twitter.com/xBVGtdg4Wx— Nabil reza (@nabilreza14) March 20, 2017
Cheteshwar Pujara was awarded as the Man of the Match for his extraordinary and dependable knock of 202 runs off 525 balls which is a world record.
“Of Course, I Do Get Tempted To Play Big Shots, But It Was About The Bigger Picture” -Man Of The Match Cheteshwar Pujara#INDvAUS #IndVsAus pic.twitter.com/dSh381TmNL
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) March 20, 2017
The series is still levelled at 1-1 and the next and the last game of the series is scheduled to be played in Dharamsala which will start on March 25.
