India Vs Australia: 3rd Test, day 5 – Can India take the 2-1 lead?

At stumps, India were 98 for 2 after 34 overs and need 309 runs to win on the big day, tomorrow, on the fifth and the last day of the 3rd Test.

India came up with a great and confident start but the fall of two quick wickets pressurized the team again back. Rohit Sharma was at his best initially with a splendid half-century, but a pull shot by Rohit Sharma brought his downfall and sent him back to the pavilion.

Then after a fine start, young Shubman Gill also failed to defend and was sent back quite early. The rock-solid duo of Rahane and Pujara, also the two most experienced batsmen in the middle require a stupendous act to take India out of trouble and draw the winner.

Pat Cummins continued with his magnificent form by registering the crucial wicket of Rohit Sharma, while Josh Hazlewood picked up the important wicket of Shubman Gill with a brilliant delivery.

The pitch has variable bounce and dark patches which made it more dangerous and helpful to Nathan Lyon, who gets lethal in this sort of pitch and posed a problem to the visitors with two batsmen already injured.

Pujara after coming in and starting in a fine way successfully asked for a DRS after being given out for a leg before.

During Australia’s bowling, the Indian fielders also didn’t come to any help for the bowlers as Hanuma Vihari, Vice-Captain Rohit Sharma, and Captain Ajinkya Rahane all missed regulation catches at square leg, slip, gully and gave a lot of chances to Australia.

But on the other hand, Austalia while batting gave mere chances of mistake and Steve Smith almost missed out on his another century as he scored 81 off 167 balls. Cameroon Green also made an intense attack on the Indian bowling with 84 of 132 balls. Marnus Labushchagne also played positive and scored 73 of 118 balls, and also maintained his second partnership century of the match along with Steve Smith.

Team India is not in a good position as the important batsmen, Pant and Jadeja, who is also an all-rounder won’t be able to play due to the injury and has joined the list of other injured players. Also, another major concern is that the opening partnership of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill has also departed. Now it all depends on the rock-solid and experienced duo of Pujara and Captain Rahane.

The final day promises an exciting match for both audience and the strong duo of Rahane and Pujara if they help India bag the win.