Even if it was a draw, it has been a fascinating Test match at Ranchi. On the last day, brilliant resistance by Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb denied the hosts a 2-1 lead. The Test saw Pujara eclipse records on his way to a double ton and Saha prove it again that he is the best after Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Ravindra Jadeja too batted and bowled well but only to be denied an epic collapse. In the first innings, Smith won the toss and had no hesitation in opting to bat first. The visitors piled on a healthy 451, thanks to Steven Smith’s 178*. Jadeja bagged a five-for first time round.
India started of their innings well but were soon in a spot of bother when Pujara and Saha dug deep to bail India out of that tricky situation and set up an exciting final day. Ravichandran Ashwin was off colours as he did not get the amount of wickets he must have been hoping. On the final day, Australians started of well without losing a wicket in the first hour but soon lost two and were reeling at tea, still trailing by 69 runs. That is when Peter Handscomb joined Shaun Marsh and saw Australia to a position of safety after batting till tea without losing a wicket.
At Tea on Day 5, Australia are (451 & 149/4), trail India (603/9d) by 3 runs #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/kvFhbQ3liY
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 20, 2017
It was already curtains by then as time was also playing its part. Australians on the other hand were ready to walk away with a draw, keeping the Border-Gavaskar series alive looking ahead at Dharamsala.
DRAW! Huge effort from Marsh & Handscomb to keep the series locked at 1-1
Bring on the Dharamsala Decider! https://t.co/EgbDSOUWdB #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/S8wNA3tUSd
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
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
Handscomb, Marsh bat through middle session: https://t.co/kRTY7WChDM #INDvAUS
— cricket.com.au Video (@CricketVideo) March 20, 2017
The big moment came when local hero Mahendra Singh Dhoni appeared on the big screen, he still remains the biggest crowd puller in the country.
Meanwhile, a special guest is keeping a close eye on things… #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/Hbm3HYdiZv
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
It was great to see the Australians play so well in alien conditions and it seems like they have set the examples to teams touring next to India.
OUT! Marsh’s wonderful knock comes to an end on 53, caught in close to hand Jadeja his fourth. Australia lead by 35, five wickets in hand.
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
OUT! Bat-pad from Maxwell to be caught in close off Ashwin. Gone for 2. Six wickets down. Australia lead by 38 runs #INDvAUS
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
Jadeja finally dismissed Marsh at the stroke of days play, but that was not enough. Ashwin too got among the wickets getting rid of the centurion from the first innings, Glenn Maxwell. Ravindra Jadeja picked up 10 wickets in the match, that is the positive India can draw from this Test apart from Pujara and Saha’s priceless knocks to see India into a position of strength.
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