Hosts in commanding position

  Sydney Test Day 3:

Hosts in commanding position

So 3rd Day fully dominated by hosts, in all three departments of the game. With 197 ahead and still 8 wickets in hand. Australia is in a very strong position. Their inform, best batting pair of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith unbeaten at the crease. It would require out of skin performance from Team India to reverse the fortunes.
Overnight 96/2, Rahane and Pujara struggled against world class Australian attack. Aussies were quite hostile with using short pitched deliveries sparingly. Indian Captain Ajinkya Rahane raised hopes by hoisting Lyon for six, after a difficult let off at forward short-leg. In very next over dragged one from Cummins on the stumps - on his 22. Ball was too close to cut - couldn't avoid temptation to cut waist high in coming delivery. Actually he was hoping for a steep rising bouncer to guide it over slips. 117/3. Pujara and Vihari were unable to break the shackles. Under pressure Vihari misjudged single and paid for it on 4, by a brilliant diving throw from Hazelwood at mid off. 142/4. Rishabh Pant started in his typical natural aggressive way, the very reason he is preferred over better wicket keeper Saha. But got hit on left forearm on 35, mistiming to Pat Cummins, made just 1 run after that.195/5. Pant had to go for scan so Saha kept wickets later in Australia's second innings. His 53runs partnership with Pujara was the highest for India today.
Pujara also failed to snorter from consistent Pat Cummins, after registering slowest fifty, on the same score.195/6.
Within 10 overs with second new ball Aussies turned the match fully in their favour.
Last hopes relied on Jadeja-Ashwin pair. But Ashwin was too slow off the blocks, kept watching the ball and fielder, instead of trusting Jadeja's call for single and ultimately found quite short of crease. Jadeja also received blow on his left thumb , likely to affect his bowling. Jadeja with Siraj added 28 for the last wicket and denied 3 figure lead to Australia.94.
Indian bowlers struck early blows at start in Australia's second innings. Siraj got Pucovski and Ashwin trapped sweeping Warner with his very second ball. 35/2. But Labuschagne and Smith carried on till the day end without any difficulty.103/2.
It remains to be seen if Rahane and boys show some character by putting up some fight, instead of surrendering meekly further on 4th Day.