IND vs AUS 3rd Test Day 2: Cheteshwar Pujara fights lone battle as Nathan Lyon Put India Under Pressure

Australia put India under pressure again on Day 2 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Indore, as the hosts lost four wickets in the second session. Nathan Lyon once again showed his skill, taking three wickets before tea to put India on the back foot. Virat Kohli, India’s standout hitter, was removed for 13 runs, adding to the pressure on him to break his century drought.

The hosts were 79/4 at tea, behind Australia by 9 runs, with Cheteshwar Pujara and Shreyas Iyer in the middle.

India opened the second session at 13/0, but Lyon wasted no time in dismissing youthful Shubman Gill for 5 by absolutely outsmarting him. While skipper Rohit Sharma too failed to score large, becoming the veteran Australian spinner’s second victim. The Indian skipper got out after making 12 runs.

Advertisement

Cheteshwar Pujara held the ground after the openers left to take India back into the game, but Kohli’s wicket once again pinned India down, this time by Matthew Kuhnemann.

Kohli looked well early in his innings, but he failed to judge the length when Kuhnemann pitched it short, and he was caught in front of the wicket. The 34-year-old was also dissatisfied with his ejection, which saw him smash his bat into the boundary rope before sprinting into the dressing room.

Pujara, on the other hand, was unbeaten for 36 innings at Tea. The magical batter played with confidence and did not appear to be under strain. While Ravindra Jadeja, who was promoted over Shreyas Iyer, was also plumb in front of the wicket, he became Lyon’s third victim.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Pujara was joined by Shreyas Iyer, who has yet to make an appearance in this match at Tea.

Earlier, fast bowler Umesh Yadav and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took three wickets each to lead India’s spirited comeback and bowl out Australia for 197 on day two.

Even though the visitors fell three runs short of 200, they still enjoyed an 88-run lead.

Australia dominated the first hour of day two, as India failed to make any breakthroughs in 16 overs. But things changed abruptly after the drinks break, with Umesh and Ashwin taking 3/12 and 3/44 respectively as Australia lost their final six wickets for only 11 runs in 28 balls.

Also Read: IND vs AUS: R Ashwin becomes India’s third-highest wicket-taker across all forms

Advertisement