Most of the spinners have delivered excellent performances in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Both teams’ spinners have relished their time in the middle. Batters, on the other hand, have had some major issues in this series.
While India played well with the bat in the first two games, Australia’s batters struggled to get going. However, the tables turned around in the third match as the home side failed to deliver with the bat on both occasions.
While they were restricted to a score of just 109 runs in the first innings, they scored 163 runs in the second innings. Australia’s premier spinner Nathan Lyon was at the helm of all affairs as India was kept at bay in the second innings. He picked up as many as eight wickets in the innings and returned the figures of 23.3-1-64-8.
Except for the wickets of Virat Kohli, dismissed by Matthew Kuhnemann, and Shreyas Iyer, dismissed by Mitchell Starc, Lyon dismissed India’s entire batting lineup. These are his second-best figures in the longest format of the game.
As for India, Cheteshwar Pujara was their only saviour. The veteran cricketer had his defensive game on point and attacked only when the ball was in his arc. He scored 59 runs in the 142 deliveries that he faced, including five boundaries and a massive six. He was finally dismissed by a great catch from Australian Skipper Steve Smith at the leg slip off Lyon.
Apart from Pujara, Shreyas Iyer played a quick-fire cameo of 26 runs in 27 balls, with three boundaries and two sixes. Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli, meanwhile, continued his poor form in the longest format of the game. Kuhnemann, playing just his second Test match, dismissed him for the third time in the series.
Earlier in the game, India was restricted to a score of 109 in the first innings. Australia followed it up with a score of 197 runs, taking an 88-run lead. As India was restricted to a score of 163 runs in their second innings, they set a target of just 76 runs. The Kangaroos will look to come in and chase down the target at the earliest on Day 3.
Here is how Twitter reacted to India’s innings
#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/LMjjF4XKfU
— Adam Voigt (@adam_voigt) March 2, 2023
The Defensive approach will always cost India the Game again #AUSvIND
— Mohd Shoaib (@Dikisukhi) March 2, 2023
#stevesmith #IndvsAus #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/3SF52jlsep
— India Fantasy (@india_fantasy) March 2, 2023
Top order has consistently failed in tests 4 @bcci #Kohli failing to contribute in the middle has been a big problem,inconsistent form of our batters has left 2 much to do for @ImRo45 nd when he fails Indian batting is always under pressure #AUSvIND batters lost this match fr us
— Amey Bapat ???? (@AmeyaBapat) March 2, 2023
Ishan Kishan ready for 4th test be like #AUSvIND #ishankishan #BCCI pic.twitter.com/WHWNlvZ2iq
— Ashutosh Srivastava ?? (@sri_ashutosh08) March 2, 2023
Cricket ? Test 3 Day 2
Australia v India #AUSvIND #INDvAUS #ICC #BCCI #RPGGroup #CEATTyres pic.twitter.com/7WgbzrCaKu
— News | Entertainment & Sports (@VSpotts10) March 2, 2023
How many of you are missing @RishabhPant17 ??#AUSvIND #IndvsAus @RishabhPant17 #RP17 pic.twitter.com/IU5rXNqZQr
— Straight Drive (@StraightDrive_) March 2, 2023
Out of form batsmen and bowlers bowling no balls, the same old story for us, we need an extra batsman in the next test, with the way our batting is struggling an extra batter will really help #AUSvIND
— Amey Bapat ???? (@AmeyaBapat) March 2, 2023
Steve Smith captaincy is impressive, reminds me of Virat Kohli's aggressive captaincy#IndvsAus #IndvAus #AusvInd #AusvsInd
— Praneet Samaiya (@praneetsamaiya) March 2, 2023
Srikar bharat has completely let us down with his batting in this bgt series ?#INDvAUS #AUSvIND
— malt worm ! ? (@NeatPeg) March 2, 2023
