Cheteshwar Pujara looked in great form, and it took a special effort from Steve Smith at leg slip to end his steady innings on Day 2 of India’s third Test against Australia in Indore on Thursday. Batting on 59, Pujara appeared confident, and it appeared that the veteran batter would be able to give India a good lead against Australia.
However, Nathan Lyon pitched the delivery outside the leg stump, and Pujara ended up edging it straight towards Smith in an attempt to guide it towards the fine leg. The skipper of Australia eventually pulled off a perfect catch by diving almost full length. Lyon dismissed Pujara for the 13th time in Test cricket, the most among Indian top-order batters. A video of Smith’s catch is doing rounds on the internet.
Here is Steve Smith’s excellent catch
Steve Smith ? pic.twitter.com/5zZeqUQRXA
— Zeus_Cricket (@Zeus_Cricket) March 2, 2023
Lyon took eight wickets as India were bowled out for 163 in 60.3 overs in the second innings. The hosts are facing a crushing defeat as the Kangaroos have been set a target of 76 runs to win the Test and advance to the Test Championship final.
Lyon threw a web around India’s batters, finishing with figures of 23.3-1-64-8. Cheteshwar Pujara batted tenaciously but was dismissed after 59 runs. With Smith taking a blinder at leg slip off Lyon’s bowling, the veteran batter’s departure effectively ended India’s resistance.
Aside from Pujara, Shreyas Iyer contributed 26 runs in 27 balls in a quick-fire cameo, with three boundaries and two sixes. Meanwhile, former Indian captain Virat Kohli continued his poor form in the game’s longest format. Matthew Kuhnemann dismissed him for the third time in the series, despite only playing his second Test match.
Earlier in the game, India was limited to 109 runs in the first innings. Australia responded with a 197-run score, 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 try to come and chase down the target as soon as possible on Day 3.
