Related Links: India Tour of Australia 2014/15 | Border-Gavaskar Trophy – 1st Test at Adelaide Scorecard
After Australia’s overnight declaration at 517 for 7, India replied in a fitting manner ending the crucial day three at 369 for 5. The visitors batted out 97 overs on the third day to strengthen their chances of drawing the First Test at Adelaide. Skipper Virat Kohli regained his lost confidence in the longer format of the game by scoring his 7th Test century. However, a rank bad shot in the dying stages of the day’s play from Kohli pushed India in a spot of bother.
Above photo: India’s batsman Virat Kohli points to his country’s national flag on his helmet as he celebrates his century during the third day of the first Test cricket match between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval on December 11, 2014 (Photo credit: KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Staring at the big Australian total, India got off to a bad start losing Shikhar Dhawan in the 8th over. Shikhar Dhawan who eased his way to 25 from 24 balls with 5 fours played an expansive drive with a closed face off Ryan Harris and got bowled dragging it on to the stumps. Fortunately for India, there were no further inroads as Murali Vijay and Chetehswar Pujara saw them through for most part of the morning session. Just before lunch, Murali Vijay lost his concentration and poked at a full ball from Mitchell Johnson to edge it behind. Murali Vijay scored 53 from 88 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes before he made the mistake of hanging back expecting a short ball from Johnson which ended up being a fuller ball. Vijay and Pujara added 81 for the 2nd wicket before the former was dismissed in the 31st over.
After lunch, there was another 81-run stand this time between Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli for the third wicket. Cheteshwar Pujara got out playing half cock to a jumping off break from Nathan Lyon which dropped off the bat and rolled down on to the stumps. Pujara was looking awesome until then with the exception of handling Nathan Lyon and he finished with 73 from 135 balls with 9 fours.
Skipper Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane took India safely to 223 for 3 in 61 overs at Tea. Virat Kohli created a moment of panic in the ground when he was struck on the badge of his helmet in the early part of his innings while ducking blindly under a Mitchell Johnson bouncer. Kohli took his helmet off and regained himself quite soon. However, the Aussies were rattled as they were yet to recover from the Phillip Hughes’ tragic death. Especially Mitchell Johnson was shaken up and needed a quick counselling from Skipper Michael Clarke.
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 11: Australian players check on Virat Kohli of India after he was hit on the helmet with a bouncer from Mitchell Johnson during day three of the First Test match between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on December 11, 2014 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
India was getting its best partnership of the match before Nathan Lyon struck removing Ajinkya Rahane with an unplayable delivery that was flat, and turning and bouncing from outside off to force the batsman to fend it off the glove to slip. Rahane was well set on 62 (from 76 balls with 10 fours) and yet had no chance in handling that vicious delivery off the rough from Nathan Lyon which broke the 101-run stand. Once again India got another solid partnership going after the fall of a wicket this time with Rohit Sharma batting well to support Virat Kohli.
The second new ball was taken straightaway by the Aussies but only for it to be smashed all around the park by Virat Kohli. Just when it was about to be stumps on Day 3, Virat Kohli attempted an ambitious hook shot off Mitchell Johnson to top edge it to the diving Ryan Harris at long leg. Kohli walked back with 115 to his name which came in just 184 balls with a dozen boundaries. It was a majestic knock for sure but Virat Kohli would be guilty of not converting it into a bigger knock.
India finished Day three without further damages at 369 for 5 with Rohit Sharma on 33 with Wicket Keeper Wriddhiman Saha just joining him at the crease. The tourists trail behind by 148 runs with five wickets in hand.