Melbourne: Called a ‘genius’ on air by Australia’s former captain Michael Clarke pacer Jasprit Bumrah (6/33) had Australia’s batsmen tied up in knots with his immaculate line and length, giving India the decisive advantage despite a second innings batting collapse on the third day of the third Test here Friday.
Resuming at eight without loss, the hosts were bowled out for 151 in reply to India’s first innings total of 443/7 declared, giving away a massive 292-run lead. The visitors were however struggling at 54/5 in 27 overs in their second essay but had the upper-hand with a lead of 346 runs.
Debutant Mayank Agarwal (28 batting), who scored an impressive 76 in the first innings, and Rishabh Pant (6 batting) were at the crease after 15 wickets fell in all on an exciting day.
In their second innings, India were jolted by Pat Cummins (4/10), who took four wickets for two runs in the space of 19 balls, including the priced catch of skipper Virat Kohli (0) and Ajinkya Rahane (0) caught off successive balls. Rohit Sharma (five) prevented his hat-trick, but fell before end of play.
Earlier, India got the first breakthrough in the fifth over of the day when Aaron finch (eight) was caught by Mayank Agarwal off the bowling of Ishant Sharma (1/41). Thereafter wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as Ishant and Bumrah gave them no room for maneuvering.
It didn’t help that the Australian openers came out playing their shots and this attacking instinct went in India’s favour. The visitors used the scoreboard pressure to good effect as Ravindra Jadeja (2/45) came on to bowl with close-in fielders all around the bat.
Shaun Marsh (19) and Travis Head (20) tried to steady the sinking ship and brought some semblance of stability to the Australian innings. But Bumrah came up with an inspirational yorker at the stroke of lunch, and the slow dipping delivery catching the left-hander plumb in front of the wicket.
Brief scores: India 443/7 decl & 54/5 (Mayank Agarwal 28 batting; Pat Cummins 4/10); Australia 151 (Jasprit Bumrah 6/33, Ravindra Jadeja 2/45). Match to continue.
