It was a day of wickets in the third Test match between India and Australia.
The wickets were falling like nine pins on Day 1 of the ongoing third Test between India and Australia. The home team lost a lot of wickets after electing to bat, losing all but three to spinners Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon. They were all out for 109. On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja’s four-wicket haul at the close of Day 1 meant that the visitors had also lost four wickets. Australia had a rocky start to their innings, losing Travis Head in the second over and then almost losing Marnus Labuschagne in the fourth over. Yet a fortunate sequence of events brought Labuschagne a second chance.
The Indian team was already celebrating their second wicket when Jadeja bowled Labuschagne in the fourth over. The umpire stopped the batter on his way back to the dugout to wait for the no-ball check. Labuschagne was given a second chance after it was revealed that Jadeja had crossed the line.
Even India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, was spotted shaking his head in surprise after hearing the delivery. Importantly, in the 35th over, Jadeja used the identical tactic to dismiss Labuschagne.
During the hectic first day of the third Test in Indore on Wednesday, the Indian batting lineup’s historical troubles against spin were thoroughly exposed before Australia applied themselves on a nasty turner to seize control of the match.
Just after noon on day one, Australia skittled India out for a meager 109, with Matthew Kuhnemman (5/16) picking up his first five-wicket haul. For India, Virat Kohli was the most valuable player, scoring 22 runs off 52 balls.
Australia, down 0-2 in the series, came out with determination and focus on Day 3, finishing with 156 for four and a 47-run lead.
By the day’s end, India lost all four batsmen they faced, including stand-in captain Steve Smith (26 runs off 38 balls).
