India (96/2) trail by 242 runs at Stumps on Day 2 of the 3rd Test against Australia

[Nikhil_cric]

Won't be a draw. Either an Indian win or an Aus win.

No chance of Indian win. Draw is our only hope and even that is hard for me to see. Australia are overwhelmingly favourites here.

 

[Smbhayi]

Showing Ravi Shastri, the current water boy, hitting 206 in Sydney 1991-92, smashing Aussi bowlers all round the park, the only double century made by Indian test batsmen till date.

Not test batsman, test opener.. i believe Dravid had double hundred there..

 

[MP2011]

Manju didi talking about Padams series when he scored 500-odd runs against us @ 170-odd! Was sick of him padding away our spinners and being very effective at that.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Manju and his boring stories. I would rather hear sound of Kangaroos running in the jungle instead.

 

[szrana007]

No chance of Indian win. Draw is our only hope and even that is hard for me to see. Australia are overwhelmingly favourites here.

This depleted Indian team is full of surprises. I won't count them out on winning this game.

 

[szrana007]

Manju didi talking about Padams series when he scored 500-odd runs against us @ 170-odd! Was sick of him padding away our spinners and being very effective at that.

Yeah, the 1994 series against WI, when WI managed to preserve their unbeaten series record without Richie Richardson, Desmond Haynes and Curtly Ambrose.

 

[Buffet]

This depleted Indian team is full of surprises. I won't count them out on winning this game.

First Indians need to get runs then this depleted attack has to take wickets quickly. A tall order. It's either Aus win or draw if Ind can bat long.

 

[MP2011]

Last over before stumps.

 

[angrypathan]

148.5 kph

 

[Buffet]

India did well today, but Aus just needs one good spell to win this test.

 

[MP2011]

Had we not lost Gill, it'd have been our day comfortably but now not quite.

 

[Devadwal]

Poor batting from Rahane & Pujara, Should have rotate strike more . Partnership 11of 77

 

[MenInG]

Poor batting from Rahane & Pujara, Should have rotate strike more . Partnership 11of 77

They are still there!


IND 96/2 (45) CRR: 2.13
Day 2: Stumps - India trail by 242 runs

 

[MenInG]

 

[Buffet]

Poor batting from Rahane & Pujara, Should have rotate strike more . Partnership 11of 77

If they bat the same way the next day then India will be in trouble. It was fine for today. I mean they can add only 20 more runs and India could be down 4 wickets if they don't score runs.

 

[Hasan123]

Rahane and Pujara need to have a big partnership for India to have a chance. Also India would probably want some sort of lead here. The pitch could get more difficult to bat on. Weather should be better in the next 3 days. So we should get a result in the game.

 

[OffDrive]

One dud batting with a good player.

One dud does not score for 40 balls, the good player can't up the run rate.

India is going to get smashed, Smith already made his intentions clear, you can't keep a champion down.

 

[Ab Fan]

The game is evenly poised now. Australia won the first day and India won the second one.

Yes, Pujara and Rahane will be key now. India can't afford to get all-out under 300 tomorrow. Ash and Jadeja can be serious threat in the third inning of the game.

 

[BaankeJi]

No chance of Indian win. Draw is our only hope and even that is hard for me to see. Australia are overwhelmingly favourites here.

Are you serious? Australia overwhelmingly favorites?

It is India who are slight favorites now.

 

[sindhiboy]

Was an absorbing day of test cricket.

Cummins was unlucky not to get 2 more wickets, bowled beautifully

 

[Suleiman]

Why is Rohit picked again and again despite being so mediocre overseas in tests? Every time I see this guy in white outside India he is messing about and looking somewhat cool in shot making then gets out after like maximum of 30 runs.

Reminds me of Hafeez in this regard.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Are you serious? Australia overwhelmingly favorites?

It is India who are slight favorites now.

When was the last time Australia lost a home test after scoring 300 + while batting first. Cant remember it honestly. We need a huge lead and in quick time so that we can bowl them out quickly. Batting last wont work.

 

[Suleiman]

Are you serious? Australia overwhelmingly favorites?

It is India who are slight favorites now.

He is heavily invested into the jinx business as usual.

 

[MenInG]

Riding on Shubman Gill's maiden fifty, India went to stumps on day two at 96/2 in response to Australia's 338, which was headlined by Steve Smith's spectacular 131, in the third Test in Sydney.


Smith snapped a patch of poor form with an imperious century – his 27th in Test cricket – to help Australia tide over a middle-order collapse, which was sparked by Ravindra Jadeja, to post a respectable 338. In response, Gill made a fine maiden Test fifty as India reached 96/2 at stumps, still trailing by 242 runs with the match in balance.

Alongside Gill, Rohit Sharma, playing his first game on this tour, looked in decent form, getting off the mark with the first ball he faced with a flick to deep square leg. He and Gill took India off to a positive start, going to the tea break at 26/0.

Australia's bowlers found better discipline after the break and tied the scoring rate down. Rohit tried breaking free on occasions, even advancing down the track to hit Lyon over long on for six. Australia thought they had him when Wade took a catch at forward short leg off Lyon, but Rohit reviewed the on-field call to survive.

The pair brought up India's maiden half-century opening stand this series, but the built-up pressure paid off for Australia when Rohit, on 26, played a loose drive back to Hazlewood, who took a sharp catch.

Gill rode out the period and cashed in when the quick bowlers went short at him. He was able to duck under bouncers easily and also played some stunning backfoot punches and pull shots, working his way to a fine maiden Test fifty.

The celebrations were short-lived though as Cummins, who had begun finding life in the pitch, induced the outside edge, which was caught expertly by Cameron Green, diving to his left at gully.

Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara were given a thorough examination and Rahane even survived an inside edge off Lyon, which ricocheted off his pad to fall just short of Wade at short leg. Later he padded off to a Lyon delivery and survived on umpire's call after Australians sent the lbw appeal upstairs. The experienced pair were able to grind through a testing, closing spell from Mitchell Starc to carry India to stumps in a reasonably comfortable position.

The day had begun positively for Australia with overnight batsmen Marnus Labuschagne and Smith picking up from where they left off the previous evening, taking the score past 200 in relatively effortless fashion.

At 206/2, Australia seemed locked in for a total of over 400, but India roared back into the contest with Jadeja playing a key role. The left-arm spinner sparked a middle-order collapse by having Labuschagne nick one to slip for 91.

A few overs later, Jadeja dismissed Wade for 13 with the left-hander trying to him out of the park. Japrit Bumrah then used the second new ball to good effect, bowling probing lines to have Cameron Green trapped in front for a 23-ball duck before cleaning up Australia captain Tim Paine for one with an in-seaming delivery.

Undeterred by the flurry of wickets at the other end, Smith kept growing in confidence playing superbly against fast bowlers and spinners alike. He brought up his century with a nudge to the on-side, marking his return to form in style after a succession of single-digit scores this series.

But he wasn't to have much support at the other end, except through a rapid 24 by Mitchell Starc, who was happy to take on the short ball barrage he received from India's quicks, particularly Navdeep Saini.

Jadeja dismissed Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon cheaply to extend his tally to four wickets. He then wrapped up the innings with a sensational throw from the deep to catch Smith short as the batsman looked to eke out a tight second run in his bid to farm strike.

 

[RajBan]

Why is Rohit picked again and again despite being so mediocre overseas in tests? Every time I see this guy in white outside India he is messing about and looking somewhat cool in shot making then gets out after like maximum of 30 runs.

Reminds me of Hafeez in this regard.

Rohit has godfathers protecting him.

 

[HydratedTurnip]

Aussies need a good morning tomorrow and they'll should win this match. India, had they not lost Gill, would've had the edge especially as the lad scores fast and safe - but without him they'd have to bat all day tomorrow just to reach close to the Aussie total and I don't see India being able to bat all day against Cummins n Lyon.

Superb fightback with the ball though - to get 10 Aussie wickets with such a depleted attack on a fairly flat surface is commendable

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Rohit has godfathers protecting him.

Who? Ambani?

 

[RajBan]

Who? Ambani?

Being the captain of Ambani's cricket team helps. Plus his brother in law manages several other players. And ofcourse he comes from Mumbai cricket factory.

 

[Rana]

Good Test match. Rain delays have made it more interesting with the time taken out

 

[King_Kohli]

Being the captain of Ambani's cricket team helps. Plus his brother in law manages several other players. And ofcourse he comes from Mumbai cricket factory.

 

[Pakhs]

Australia has once again proven they have 2 players regular players warner and smith with Labuchange being recent addition you get through them and their batting has no pedigree.

Apart from those 3 players even the career stats of the rest of the players are bad.

 

[Pakhs]

Aussies need a good morning tomorrow and they'll should win this match. India, had they not lost Gill, would've had the edge especially as the lad scores fast and safe - but without him they'd have to bat all day tomorrow just to reach close to the Aussie total and I don't see India being able to bat all day against Cummins n Lyon.

Superb fightback with the ball though - to get 10 Aussie wickets with such a depleted attack on a fairly flat surface is commendable

India is a better team out of the 3 players Asutralia have they only managed to get out Warner cheaply the other two scored the bulk of Australian score.

 

[gani999]

Am not watching the games but how did Gill get out on 50? Was it a really good ball or a poor shot?

It's early days but it's disturbing somewhat if he gets out on 50. May be indicative of a mindset problem.

 

[King_Kohli]

Australia has once again proven they have 2 players regular players warner and smith with Labuchange being recent addition you get through them and their batting has no pedigree.

Apart from those 3 players even the career stats of the rest of the players are bad.

Smith+Labu = 222 Runs
Others = 116 Runs

 

[King_Kohli]

Am not watching the games but how did Gill get out on 50? Was it a really good ball or a poor shot?

It's early days but it's disturbing somewhat if he gets out on 50. May be indicative of a mindset problem.

He played same kind of balls before, I say wrong shot.

 

[Pakhs]

Smith+Labu = 222 Runs
Others = 116 Runs

Exactly this has been a pattern for them which has been on going. The only reason why they drew against England was a humongous performance from Smith all series and even then they drew.

Australia are lucky and India must be kicking themselves that they did not win both matches as they got Smith out early in those matches and Warner did not play.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Evenly placed, I feel India would have done real well if they finish close to 300. I don't see them taking any sort of lead here..

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Am not watching the games but how did Gill get out on 50? Was it a really good ball or a poor shot?

It's early days but it's disturbing somewhat if he gets out on 50. May be indicative of a mindset problem.

Have to say I respect Indians for this mindset about their batsmen. If one of our batsmen scored 50 against Australia in Australia they would be a superstar overnight, meanwhile you guys are worried about his conversion rate

 

[Babbar]

While still early days but Pucovski seems like a good batter. He did get three chances in his first inning but good attitude. He did well to score against quality Indian bowlers. Mr Puco and Mr Labu could be a terror for teams this decade, at least in SENA.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Evenly placed, I feel India would have done real well if they finish close to 300. I don't see them taking any sort of lead here..

Pujara is key, even if he does not score he needs to bat for 2 sessions. Others can bat around him.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Am not watching the games but how did Gill get out on 50? Was it a really good ball or a poor shot?

It's early days but it's disturbing somewhat if he gets out on 50. May be indicative of a mindset problem.

Loose shot, caught at gully. Should have carried on, 100 was there for the taking on this pitch.

 

[Rohan]

Exactly this has been a pattern for them which has been on going. The only reason why they drew against England was a humongous performance from Smith all series and even then they drew.

Australia are lucky and India must be kicking themselves that they did not win both matches as they got Smith out early in those matches and Warner did not play.

I agree with you but if India had win first two tests, then the guy with asterixis would be mega upset.

 

[Varun]

So what's the best case scenario for us? Pujara and Rahane batting all morning and past lunch to chip away at the deficit? We need a big 100 from one of those two for sure.

I don't have much faith in the rest except Jadeja.

I wake up late everyday - like 10 or 10:30 AM. If I see Aus batting at that time you just know it's game over.

 

[Shoaib88]

So what's the best case scenario for us? Pujara and Rahane batting all morning and past lunch to chip away at the deficit? We need a big 100 from one of those two for sure.

I don't have much faith in the rest except Jadeja.

I wake up late everyday - like 10 or 10:30 AM. If I see Aus batting at that time you just know it's game over.

Hope to see you wake up to seeing Aus batting

 

[UzmanBeast]

So what's the best case scenario for us? Pujara and Rahane batting all morning and past lunch to chip away at the deficit? We need a big 100 from one of those two for sure.

I don't have much faith in the rest except Jadeja.

I wake up late everyday - like 10 or 10:30 AM. If I see Aus batting at that time you just know it's game over.

A lot is expected from Pujara and Rahane. Pant is a wild-card, but Jadeja is also reliable down the order.

The opening spell from Australia tomorrow morning determines the outcome of the match.

 

[Pakhs]

I agree with you but if India had win first two tests, then the guy with asterixis would be mega upset.

Nothing to be upset about Australia cant always expect their main two players to be fit all the time specially during covid time where chances of injuries seems to have gone up.

They should also not expect to be saved by them every time specially with top 4 ranked sides all the time. They were beaten by SA fair and square when they had the better of warner and smith.

 

[BaankeJi]

Why is Rohit picked again and again despite being so mediocre overseas in tests? Every time I see this guy in white outside India he is messing about and looking somewhat cool in shot making then gets out after like maximum of 30 runs.

Reminds me of Hafeez in this regard.

Rohit has only now started clicking in tests. Earlier he was poor even at home. The turning point was promotion to opening slot.
After that criticism has shrunk to his overseas batting.
This is the first time he is opening in an overseas test. He looked good although not looking extraordinary. Can't blame selectors to be honest for this given how MA was struggling as well.

 

[RamLakhan]

This bowling unit deserves a quality batting lineup! Especially openers! If we had good openers the score-line would have read something like 125/0. Really we lost those two wickets due to inexperience - Gill being newcomer & Rohit is not a regular Test-Opener! And we lost some runs too because Pujara & Rahane were cautious! This could be the difference between victory and draw/defeat!

It is not a good idea to keep on changing the opening pair (I know everyone got chance & they failed in those!) Until India finds regular openers, they won't be winning matches/series regularly overseas! Rahul was the man needed for Test Opening (but he got messed up with insecurity, different formats, different batting positions!) I thought he could become a better update to Gambhir (or even Sehwag!) as opener in all formats!

Openers should aim big and score those daddy hundreds! That will help win lot of test matches! (especially with a better bowling lineup you can win even matches which go down to draws!)

 

[Devadwal]

Australia way ahead ,I don't think India can post above 250 ,this means lead around 80+ . 4th day they want to score around 250-260 and set target around 340-350.

 

[Saurav]

Am not watching the games but how did Gill get out on 50? Was it a really good ball or a poor shot?

It's early days but it's disturbing somewhat if he gets out on 50. May be indicative of a mindset problem.

It was a good outswinger.He played with lose hands to keep it down but it still carried low to gully.I wouldn't worry about it too much

Do you wanna know how Rohit got out?

 

[Saurav]

Rohit has only now started clicking in tests. Earlier he was poor even at home. The turning point was promotion to opening slot.
After that criticism has shrunk to his overseas batting.
This is the first time he is opening in an overseas test. He looked good although not looking extraordinary. Can't blame selectors to be honest for this given how MA was struggling as well.

He's poor overseas even in middle order so will only be tougher

Today was an easy track still he threw away a start

Can't compare with Agarwal who batted on tougher tracks,though he has his own problems

Who'd be your 2 openers in Eng series at home?

 

[Saurav]

Loose shot, caught at gully. Should have carried on, 100 was there for the taking on this pitch.

How was it loose shot.It was a good outswing and he didn't push at it,rather played with soft hands,it still carried due to bounce

Rohit's was a disappointing shot though

 

[Saurav]

Anticipating early wickets tomorrow,hopefully I'm wrong

 

[Ab Fan]

Rohit is our vice captain. He is the second most powerful human being in that Indian setup and hence can't be dropped until he has atleast 38 failures .

 

[gani999]

It was a good outswinger.He played with lose hands to keep it down but it still carried low to gully.I wouldn't worry about it too much

Do you wanna know how Rohit got out?

Yes, how?

Let me guess, played back to the bowler for a regulation caught and bowled? Gifted his wicket, in other words.

 

[Saurav]

Yes, how?

Let me guess, played back to the bowler for a regulation caught and bowled? Gifted his wicket, in other words.

Yes played a drive as its an ODI on a patta

 

[JaDed]

Excuses on the ready...

Excuse is no Ishant/Shami/Kohli/Umesh -- this is just topping

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

This was an incredible comeback by Indians on this pitch.

We truly have an ATG bowling attack.

Look at the bowling lineups for test teams in this era:

1. NZ probably has its best ever attack. Yes Hadlee was a one man army but overall attack..this is right up there for them.

2. Eng's attack is damn good.

3. Aus has an ATG attack.

4. India has an ATG attack.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Up to batsman to not screw it up.

This is an almost dead patta.

 

[pratiktc]

India have done well without three key players to stay alive in this match so far.

Somehow they have held the door closed on the series despite minimal resources. But it feels as though Aus are now one good bowling session away from blowing through India and wrapping up Test match and the series.

Cummins and Hazlewood can probably sense the same and expect a 175-180 all out tomorrow a little after lunch. There is not enough quality in Indian lineup to hold the fort any further.

It would have been a different proposition were Kohli there, but without him to rally to India's last stand will end tomorrow at SCG

 

[Pakhs]

This was an incredible comeback by Indians on this pitch.

We truly have an ATG bowling attack.

Look at the bowling lineups for test teams in this era:

1. NZ probably has its best ever attack. Yes Hadlee was a one man army but overall attack..this is right up there for them.

2. Eng's attack is damn good.

3. Aus has an ATG attack.

4. India has an ATG attack.

2 out of 3 Aus batsmen who score anyway got good runs. Smith almost every time he bats against this Indian attack he scores a 100. If this is an ATG Indian attack then Smith is the best ever batsman the world has ever seen. This guy almost never fails against the Indian attack no matter the conditions or format even. He goes and spanks 50 ball 100s against ATG attack even in his weaker format.

 

[Babbar]

2 out of 3 Aus batsmen who score anyway got good runs. Smith almost every time he bats against this Indian attack he scores a 100. If this is an ATG Indian attack then Smith is the best ever batsman the world has ever seen. This guy almost never fails against the Indian attack no matter the conditions or format even. He goes and spanks 50 ball 100s against ATG attack even in his weaker format.

Well, Smith batted 5 times against THIS India attack including this inning that’s on a flat pitch. He seems to be an Ashwin bunny. He’s really good but i don’t see what Smith has done this time against this India attack for anyone to get an orgasm!

 

[Pakhs]

Well, Smith batted 5 times against THIS India attack including this inning that’s on a flat pitch. He seems to be an Ashwin bunny. He’s really good but i don’t see what Smith has done this time against this India attack for anyone to get an orgasm!

He has scored 3 100s already on this tour against the ATG bowling attack give him credit where its due. He averages something like 86 against this attack in test and over 60 in ODIs.

 

[MP2011]

Well, Smith batted 5 times against THIS India attack including this inning that’s on a flat pitch. He seems to be an Ashwin bunny. He’s really good but i don’t see what Smith has done this time against this India attack for anyone to get an orgasm!

Lol, our pace attack for this test has experience of a total of 17 tests! Lol at our 'ATG' attack!

 

[Babbar]

Smith averages 35 against this attack in 5 test innings incl a 0 and a 1 in his own streets.

He’s of course among the top 2-3 best test batsmen, may be the very best, of the last decade and has done well against India overall.

But still he has not been able to help Aussies dominate India till now. Let’s see what happens next.

 

[Babbar]

Indian attack is not even close to being ATG right now. It’s unsettled, full of rookies and 2nd/3rd best options. My point is on Smith performance this series.