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IND vs AUS, Day 2, 3rd Session: Patel and Ashwin pull India back but Head counterattacks

image-le9vn1hdRavi Ashwin and Axar Patel (Source: AP Newsroom)

After a flurry of wickets in the second session, India made a strong comeback in the third courtesy of Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin who stitched an outstanding 114-run partnership for the eighth wicket to turn back the game.

Nathan Lyon was breathing fire with the ball as he picked up a fifer causing chaos among the Indian camp as it was turning quite difficult to counter his turning deliveries.

But the stand between the duo ensured that not just did they negate the lead but made sure to frustrate the Aussies with their defiance. 

Axar and Ashwin's show saves India's day

Batting was probably getting difficult and even so, after Virat Kohli was given controversially out but these two never made it look at it that way as they stood tall against the class of Australian spinners.

They did so by milking and singles along with some lucky boundaries which they got as the result of the ball going behind the stumps region and even some missed catches at slips. With that, the bonus runs did help the cause as they took the score to 253 after the end of 80 overs.

New Ball does the business

Right when things were looking in India's control, the introduction of the new ball made things happen for Australia. Skipper Pat Cummins got the breakthrough as Ashwin was caught magnificently by Matt Renshaw with just one hand.

Soon, right in the next over, Axar departed at the score of 74 on a Todd Murphy delivery as Cummins held a brilliant catch at mid-on. His innings gave India a massive hope of making a strong comeback in the game.

With just two wickets remaining, the tail was cleaned up as the Men in Blue were bundled out for 262, falling 1 short of what the Aussies managed to score in the first innings. Nonetheless, this was a huge shot in the arm as at one stage deficit of about 100 was on the cards.

Head does what he is best at

image-le9xyat3Travis Head (Source: AP Newsroom)

With the game all but equalised, Australia needed to bat considerably well and make sure that they give India a stiff target to chase in the fourth innings.

This assignment was understood well by Travis Head who was sent in to open along with Usman Khawaja as he was quite an aggressive right from the start.

Although Khawaja lost his wicket for 6 to Jadeja, Head never stood down as he got five fours and a six to score 39 from 40 balls. Partnered by Marnus Labuschagne, they ended the day on 61/1 after batting for 12 overs.

Talking Points

  • The steady partnership between Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin does too well for the home side.
  • New Ball once again proved India's foe as they lost the last three wickets in quick succession.
  • Travis Head pounces on the opportunity to score runs at the fag end of the day.

Brief Score:

Australia: 263/10 (78.4 overs)

Usman Khawaja 81 (125), Peter Handscomb 72* (142);
Md. Shami 4/60 (14.4), Ravi Ashwin 3/57 (21)

India: 262/10 (83.3 overs)

Axar Patel 74 (115), Virat Kohli 44 (84);
Nathan Lyon 5/67 (29), Todd Murphy 2/53 (18)

Australia: 61/1 (12 Overs)

Travis Head 39* (40), Marnus Labuschagne 16* (19);
Ravindra Jadeja 1/23 (3)

Australia lead by 62 runs