#WTCFINAL : Day 3

Oval, London Day 3 : Aussies continue to be in driver's seat. 296 ahead with 6 wickets in hand .

Australia start in a great way Bharat bowled by Boland on the very 2nd ball. 156 / 6 . Shardul gets dropped in the same over, very difficult chance in second slip. Shardul Thakur too gets hot on the glove by at Cummins. Ajinkya Rahane gets to his fifty in style - with a six over fine leg to Pat Cummins. By the end of 1st hour India cross 200, with partnership crossing 50. 

209/6 - Rahane 62*,Thakur 16*. 

 Partnership between two Mumbaikars getting momentum and scoring runs at every opportunity. Meanwhile Rahane gets dropped on 72 - 236/6 , by Warner- Carey off Cummins. Shardul survive lbw due to no ball by Pat Cummins on 36 - 260/6, just before lunch. Partnership grows upto 108.

So at lunch : Ajinkya Rahane 89* and Shardul Thakur 36* : 260/6 - 60 Overs.

But shortly after lunch talllest Green's outstanding fully streched , one handed catch at gully ends Ajinkya Rahane's fightback on 89 off Cummins - 261/7. Excellent Partnership of 109 runs.

India still 208 runs behind, how much Indian pacers can reduce this with batting.

India avoids follow-on. After Umesh Yadav's departure Shardul Thakur press accelerator and plays some scintillating shots. One classic straight drive to Cummins stands out, followed by brilliant off drive to get to his 50, his 3rd on this ground. 51* off  108 balls, with 6 fours. But falls to Green immediately after that . Siraj survived lbw due to in side edge at 294 ...Funnily Australia has to rush back in from boundary line after DRS to continue. 

Ultimately Australia wraps up Indian innings in 70th over on 296 - 173 runs behind. 

Siraj gets Warner early 1- 2 and gives Labuschagne very hard time at crease. 

By tea Australia were 23/1 . 196 runs ahead.

Post tea Umesh Yadav removed Khwaja. Jadeja later removed very confident looking Smith, followed by Travis Head - 111/4 . Lead 284.

Day end : 

India starting with 318 behind , 119 still to avoid follow on , though most likely Australia may not enforce it. 2001 Eden Gardens, Kolkata: VVS and  Rahul's unforgettable partnership after following on is still as fresh as yesterday in cricketing world memory.

How many runs Jinx can add with lower order ?  151/5 onwards?