Australia found a foot back in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2023 series, winning the third of the four Tests at Indore by 9 wickets. The hosts will still lead the series 2-1, but Australia’s win holds significant implications. Firstly, it spices up the final game at Ahmedabad starting March 9. Secondly, the game becomes a must-win if India want to cement their place in the final of the Global Test Championships to be played at the Oval between 7 to June 11, 2023.
India were also riding on a chance to win a hattrick of Test series against the men from down under, having won the last two BGT Test series in Australia. Although the hosts are still very much alive to achieve that, it brings the Ahmedabad Test to the very centre of things.
Nathan Lyon dropped a performance to remember picking up eight in the second innings
India won the toss and decided to bat first on a tricky track; they could only manage 109 runs. They fell prey to their own weapon – spin. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann remained the pick of the bowlers for Australia with five scalps in nine overs whilst conceding just 16 runs. Nathan Lyon picked up three while Todd Murphy dismissed Virat Kohli. The final man to be dismissed, Mohammed Siraj, was run-out by Travis Head. The three spinners of Australia gulped up all of the bowler’s wickets in the first Indian innings.
In reply, Australia reached 197, riding on a half-century by opener Usman Khawaja. Umesh Yadav, who replaced Mohammed Shami, returned with three scalps in the first Australia innings. India’s spin twins Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin cleaned up the rest seven picking up four and three wickets, respectively. India were again bowled out again in the second innings, this time for 163, with Cheteshwar Pujara hitting 59 of them. Nathan Lyon dropped a performance for the ages picking up eight wickets, while Matthew Kuhnemann and Mitchell Starc picked up a wicket each.
Australia just required 76 runs to win on Day 3, a target they cruised to relatively easily. There was a shocker as Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Usman Khawaja in the second ball of the game. But, following that minor mishap, it was a smooth sail, and the Kangaroos reached the target within 19 overs.
Here’s how fans reacted to Australia’s clinical win:
And people underestimater Don Smith's captaincy.
— Factos (@I_say_factos) March 3, 2023
Abb aur do din kya karoon?
— Cricket Fan 07 (@Manas_pr_sharma) March 3, 2023
Garam karke Thanda hi chodh diya
— Cric Wizard (@CricWizz_13579) March 3, 2023
Achha nahi hua? pic.twitter.com/TDF5TSd4A7
— Govind Nishad (@klassyrahulfans) March 3, 2023
India missing aggression of Sir Virat Kohli – The Captain pic.twitter.com/8VgHnFg0G5
— Aarav (@sigma__male_) March 3, 2023
This camara was used when last time Virat Kohli played for India from his heart pic.twitter.com/vyos5JYDIq
— ROXY (@RoFan4Life) March 3, 2023
— ???????? (@hydbadshah) March 3, 2023
Austrialia have qualified for the WTC final now.
— Vincent. (@VinciJ6) March 3, 2023
