India make a strong comeback

It was a valiant effort from Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane that saw India staying afloat in the third test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after the end of the third day’s play. At stumps India were 462/8 still trailing Australia’s mammoth first innings total of 530 by 68 runs. Had Kohli and Rahane not played couple of unbelievable innings, it could have been worse.

[Image Source: AFP]

India made the worst possible start to the third day’s play as Cheteshwar Pujara got out of the second ball that he faced. Kohli and Vijay then played for sometime before Vijay getting out on the total of 157. At 157/3, India were staring at conceding a huge first innings lead to Australia. But it was not to be. Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli played excellent cricket to steer India past the follow on target and then closer to the Australian total of 530. The Australians just did not have any answer to batting display of Kohli and Rahane. Dropped catches did not help their cause either. Rahane was aggressive from the word go, while Kohli was more patient and cautious at the beginning. And once they had the Australian attack under their grip they simply showed no mercy.

The Australian bowlers looking evidently tired tried their best to get them out but to no vain. Finally in the final session of the day’s play Nathan Lyon broke the partnership when Rahane (147) missed one while trying to sweep the bowler for a boundary. He was given leg before wicket although the correctness of the decision is highly debatable. However that somehow opened the flood gates. And just before the end of the day’s play Virat Kohli (169) got out with just 4 balls remaining. Had Kohli stayed there India would have been in a much better place. But that’s how the game of cricket goes.

However the biggest disappointment of the day was KL Rahul, the young Karnataka batsman who made his debut in the Boxing Day test match. His short stay at the crease showed his nervousness. He was dropped on the previous ball that he eventually got out and paid the price for not being patient in the middle.

However at the end of the day’s play it can be said that India is right back in it. Yes they are still trailing by more than 50 runs. Still India can think of a victory from here on. They have to keep in mind that Australia are leading the series 2-0 and draw in this match will make sure that they will take back the Border-Gavaskar trophy once again. Also a defeat in the series for India will not be a result just enough for players like Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli and Murali Vijay for they have performed well till now. It’s only few poor sessions that have cost India badly in the previous two matches. Hope there will be no repetition of that.

• About the Author

About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.