Boxing Day Test Day 3: India Smells Victory at the MCG!
Melbourne, 28/12: India is in a commanding position in the 2nd Test Match being played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground(MCG). At the end of Day 3, Australia is six wickets down for 133 and lead by 2 runs. Cameron Green and Pat Cummins are batting at the crease.
Earlier India managed to take a lead of 131 in their 1st innings before getting bundled out for 326. Captain Ajinkya Rahane top-scored with 114 before getting run-out. Ravindra Jadeja scored a useful 57. India’s tail-enders couldn’t survive long and the last 5 wickets fell for only 32 runs. Australia’s Mitchell Starc bowled plenty of short balls, scaring the lower order Indian batsman, who gave their wickets away to protect themselves from injuries. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon picked 3 wickets apiece.
Australia’s batting looked uncomfortable again against Indian bowling. Joe Burns’s terrible run with the bat continues as he got out for 4 to Umesh Yadav. Labuschagne, Smith, and Travis Head got out in quick succession leaving Australia in trouble. Matthew Wade played well for hiss 40 but got out to Jadeja. Steve Smith’s poor form with the bat continues to be a worry for the Australian Team. Captain Tim Paine who played a match-winning 74 run knock in 1st match got out to a debatable decision by the third umpire Paul Wilson. A caught behind appeal from the Indians was overturned by the on-field umpire and was reviewed by Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane. The hotspot showed no sign of an edge but the decision was given out as the snicko showed a spike as the ball passed the bat. Paine looked really unhappy when he left the ground.
Given the match situation on Day 3, India would look to wrap up the match tomorrow on Day 4. India would be relieved if the result goes their way, given the way they lost the 1st test from a winning situation. Though an injury to Umesh Yadav would worry the team management, as there are not many options on the bench apart from Navdeep Saini, who is yet to make his test debut.