Bengaluru: Ravichandran Ashwin ripped through Australia's batting line-up on Day 4 of the second Test match to guide India to a comprehensive 75-run win against Steve Smith's men. India defended a meagre 188-run target in style as Australian batsmen looked vulnerable against Indian bowlers on Day 4. (Ind vs Aus 2017 - Full Coverage | ALSO READ: Top cricket news)
India: 189 & 274
Australia: 276 & 112
Over 35.4 | Score 112/10 | (Hazlewood 0*)
It's all over for Australlia. Ashwin removed Handscomb and Lyon in a matter of three balls to guide India to a 75-run win over Australia.
NM Lyon c & b Ashwin 2 (6b)
PSP Handscomb c Saha b Ashwin 24 (67b)
Over 35 | Score 110/8 | (Handscomb 24*, Lyon 0*)
Jadeja picked another wicket when one of his deliveries kept low and breached through O'Keef's defense to rattle his stumps! India now just need two wickets to win. Handscomb will have to take most of the strike from here onwards.
SNJ O'Keefe b Jadeja 2 (10b)
Over 34 | Score 110/7 | (Handscomb 24*, O'Keefe 2*)
Handscomb and O'Keefe need to pull off a miracle to save the match for their team. Both of them have the potential to bat but given the circumstances, it remains to be seen whether they can do the job for their team today.
Over 30 | Score 103/7 | (Handscomb 20*, O'Keefe 0*)
Ashwin continued his good run even after tea as he deceived Mitchell Starc with his flight and clean bowled the left-hander. The body language of the Indian players has been quite impressive in the last one hour or so. India need three more wickets from leveling the series.
MA Starc b Ashwin 1 (6b)
Over 27.5 | Score 101/6 | (Handscomb 19*)
TEA: R Ashwin dismissed two more batsmen to send Australia on backfoot. Saha took a brilliant catch running towards his right while Marsh was caught bat pad. Tremendous fightback by the Indian team. Excellent show by the bowlers so far!
MS Wade c Saha b Ashwin 0 (5b)
MR Marsh c Nair b Ashwin 13 (16b)
Over 25 | Score 98/4 | (Handscomb 16*, Marsh 13*)
Marsh and Handscomb are looking to attack the bowlers without reeling under pressure. The pair has scored some elegant boundaries against the pacers and Kohli might soon look to bowl spinners from both ends. Australia are still 90 runs behind and a decent partnership could tilt the momentum Australia's way.
Over 21 | Score 75/4 | (Handscomb 5*, Marsh 1*)
Australia were given a massive blow when Umesh Yadav trapped Steve Smith in front of wicket. The Australian skipper was bamboozled by a delivery which kept low and hit him on the pads right in front of the wicket. That could be the final nail in the coffin for the visitors. Mitchell Marsh is the new man in. Australia desperately need a partnership going.
SPD Smith lbw b Yadav 28 (48b)
Over 19 | Score 71/3 | (Smith 28*, Handscomb 2*)
Smith is standing like a wall once again for his team. Handscomb has the potential to do well and he could easily become Australia's hero with a gutsy knock today. Meanwhile, Indian bowlers are bowling their hearts out today. Smith's wicket is the key for the hosts.
Over 15 | Score 67/3 | (Smith 26*)
Shaun Marsh paid a price for not offering a short to one of Umesh Yadav's deliveries, which moved into him and hit him on the pads. The umpire immediately raised his finger and the Aussies didn't take the DRS despite a long chat between Smith and the left-hander. India are strengthening their grip by picking wickets at regular intervals.
SE Marsh lbw b Yadav 9 (19b)
Over 14 | Score 65/2 | (Smith 25*, Marsh 8*)
Both Smith and Marsh are looking to use their feet to negate the spin – a move which has worked for them so far. India cannot let any of these batsmen settle down.
Over 12 | Score 59/2 | (Smith 20*, Marsh 7*)
India missed out on a huge opportunity when Virat Kohli dropped Steve Smith's catch when he was batting on 12 off Umesh Yadav's bowling. While the catch went towards the vacant first slip area, Kohli dived from second slip towards his left, got his hands to the ball but could not hold on to it.
Over 10 | Score 44/2 | (Smith 11*, Marsh 1*)
Ashwin got a massive breakthrough for India when he trapped Warner in front of the wicket in the tenth over. Warner was looking to sweep but could not read the line of the ball as Ashwin bowled to him from round the stumps. Aussies took the review but it didn't go in their favour. Shaun Marsh is the new man in and the visitors need a partnerhsip.
DA Warner lbw b Ashwin 17 (25b)
Over 8 | Score 40/1 | (Warner 16*, Smith 9*)
There is no point defending on this pitch, which is why Warner and Smith are looking to play their natural game on this deteriorating track. Warner smashed Aswhin for a six over deep midwicket. This should be an exciting Test match. India need to dismiss one of these two batsmen to come back in this match.
Over 5 | Score 22/1 | (Warner 8*, Smith 0*)
Ishant Sharma got an early breakthrough for India when he dismissed Mathew Renshaw in the fifth over of the innings. It was a well directed ball as the left-hander edged one behind the wicket. Ishant has been bowling with a probing line and length and was finally rewarded. R Ashwin is bowling from the other end. Australia need to show some positive intent. Smith is the new man in and this partnership could decide the course of this match.
MT Renshaw c Saha b Sharma 5 (12b)
Over 97.1 | Score 274/10 | (Saha 20*)
All Out! After showing some resistance, Ishant was the final batsman to be dismissed after he mistimed a shot straight to the fielder at short cover. Australia have been given a 188-run target. There is plenty of time still remaining in this match. But it's not going to be easy for the visitors given the nature of the wicket which will only deteriorate from here onwards.
I Sharma c SE Marsh b O'Keefe 6 (28b)
Over 92 | Score 268/9 | (Saha 15*, Ishant 5*)
Saha and Ishant are adding some valuable runs for their team. Every run from here onwards will frustrate the Aussies, who have done exceptionally well to bounce back in the game after a wicketless final session on Day 3. These two have added ten runs for the last wicket stand so far.
Over 88 | Score 258/9 | (Saha 10*, Ishant 0*)
Umesh Yadav was the next batsman to be dismissed as he perished while trying to clear covers off Hazlewood's bowling and was caught by Warner. Poor shot, considering he had Saha at the other end, who is looking to add a few more valuable runs to India's total. Ishant is the new man in and he needs to give maximum strike to his partner.
UT Yadav c Warner b Hazlewood 1 (5b)
Over 86 | Score 238/8 | (Saha 0*, Yadav 0*)
After Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood gave a double blow to the Indian team. Pujara, who was batting so well, was surprised by a bouncer from Hazlewood as he edged one towards gully. Ashwin drove him for a brilliant boundary through covers but was bowled off the next ball, which kept low. India are in huge trouble after losing four wickets in two overs.
R Ashwin b Hazlewood 4 (3b)
CA Pujara c MR Marsh b Hazlewood 92 (221b)
Over 85 | Score 238/6 | (Pujara 88*, Saha 0*)
Things changed drastically after Australia took the new ball in the 85th over. Starc first trapped Rahane in front of the wicket off the third ball and then bowled Karun Nair off the next ball, which was a brilliant inswinger. Starc is on fire and India are in some sort of trouble here. Pujara is the set batsman and India would want him to get going.
KK Nair b Starc 0 (1b)
AM Rahane lbw b Starc 52 (134b)
Over 81 | Score 232/4 | (Pujara 87*, Rahane 51*)
Ajinkya Rahane drove Mitchell Starc through covers for a boundary to bring up his fifty. These two are looking confident at the crease. India now lead by 145 runs and this pair has stitched unbeaten 112-run partnership for fifth wicket. Australia need a wicket as soon as possible and Steve Smith is using all his bowlers for that one breakthrough.
Over 77 | Score 221/4 | (Pujara 83*, Rahane 44*)
India finally got a DRS right when Cheteshwar Pujara got a lifeline at 83. Nathan Lyon looked like he had trapped the batsman in front of the wicket, but replays suggested that the ball was missing leg stump. Lyon and O'Keefe are bowling from both ends and are getting plenty of purchase from the wicket.
KL Rahul's half-century and Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane's resolute 93-run partnership revamped India's hopes of getting the maximum out of the second Test match being played in Bengaluru.
At Stumps on Day 3, India were 213 for four, leading Australia by 126 runs. Pujara (79) and Ajinkya Rahane (40) were at the crease. The 5th wicket stand between Rahane and Pujara was all-the-more special considering the fact that they played on a difficult, dry, cracking pitch, and the duo batted the entire final session and lifted India`s lead to 126 runs.
Earlier, Rahul (51), who top-scored with 90 in first innings, put on 45 with Pujara after Abhinav Mukund (16) was bowled by Josh Hazlewood just after lunch. (IND vs AUS - Scorecard | Full Coverage)
For the Aussies, Hazlewood claimed three wickets, including the key scalp of skipper Virat Kohli for 15.
In the morning session, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja took a six-wicket haul to help dismiss Australia for 276 in their first innings, a lead of 87.
Schedule
Time: 9:30 AM IST
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TV Telecast: Star Sports Network
What to expect on Day 4
As KL Rahul said, the hosts will be hoping Pujara-Rahane to add 100 more runs in their partnership and give their side a fair chance to put the Aussies into pressure for the first time since the start of the series.
Pujara produced a 173-ball 79, while Rahane hit 40 off 105 balls after opener Rahul had laid the foundation with a 85-ball 51 to help India reach 213 four four, leading Australia by 126 runs. Virat Kohli will be hoping his boys can bat until the Tea session on 4th day and try to take lead past 300-run mark. If successful in the target, India will not just put pressure on the visitors but also hand them a stern test of chasing a tricky total on the 'unpredictable' 4th innings wicket.
