Having opted to bat first, Australia registered 338 runs in their first innings. There were two 100-run partnerships in this innings which helped them go past the 300-run mark for the first time in this series – 100-run stand between Will Pucovski and Marnus Labuschagne for the second wicket and 100-run partnership between Labuschagne and Steve Smith for the third wicket!
Smith brought up his 27th Test century in the process and held one end tight with others losing their wicket at the other end. If not for Ravindra Jadeja’s 4-fer and a brilliant direct-hit to dismiss Smith, Australia would be posting a mammoth target. Jasprit Bumrah (2/66), Navdeep Saini (2/65) and Mohammad Siraj (1/67) were the other wicket-takers for India in this innings.
On a pitch which is more favorable to visitors than the home team, India imploded with three unnecessary run-outs in their first innings – Hanuma Vihari, Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah. Shubman Gill (50 off 101) and Cheteshwar Pujara (50 off 176) scored half-centuries each as India were bowled out for just 244 runs conceding a 94-run lead in the first innings. Pat Cummins bagged 4 wickets while Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc accounted for two wickets and a wicket respectively.
On a pitch that assisted spin more, Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon failed to pick up a single wicket in India’s first innings. Coincidentally, India’s main spinner Ravichandran Ashwin too failed to bag a wicket in Australia’s first innings!! Australia declared their second innings with 312/6 on the board courtesy half-centuries from Cameron Green (84), Steven Smith (81) and Marnus Labuschagne (73). India were asked to chase down 407 to win this Test match and take lead in the series.
In the fourth innings of the Test match, India started off well with a 71-run stand between openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. But with three quick wickets, India were staring at a heavy defeat at that point. However, Rishabh Pant took the attack to the opposition with an aggressive knock of 97 runs off just 118 deliveries. While Pant was hitting, Pujara (77 off 205) was holding the other end and in the process he registered his second fifty in this Test!
When Pant was at the crease, India were in a strong position in this high run-chase. He was scoring boundaries at will and in the direction he wanted to! Pant was not even bothered to take the aerial route on many occasions. He was exploding while Pujara was holding the other end. It seemed to be the perfect combination to take India to vicotry in this Test match!
However, Australia were able to dismiss both Pant and Pujara in the space of 10 overs and were thinking to run through the Indian middle-order with the second new ball. But Hanuma Vihari and Ashwin helped India draw the game without losing any more wickets. Their unbeaten stand for the 6th wicket is worth 62* runs off 256 deliveries – Vihari was unbeaten on 23* off 161 deliveries while Ashwin was unbeaten on 39* off 128 deliveries. With this draw, the four-match series stays levelled 1-1 with one Test match to go!
Steven Smith has been adjudged as the ‘Player of the Match’ for his superb display with the bat – 212 runs (131 & 78) in both the innings combined. The fourth and final Test match would be played at The Gabba in Brisbane beginning from Friday (Jan 15).
Brief Scores: Australia 338 all out (Steven Smith – 131, Ravindra Jadeja – 4/62) & 312/6 decl (Cameron Green – 84, Navdeep Saini – 2/54) drew with India – 244 all out (Shubman Gill – 50, Pat Cummins – Pat Cummins – 4/29) & 334/5 (Rishabh Pant – 97, Josh Hazlewood – 2/39)
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