India finished at 8/462 after impressive centuries from Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane on day three at the MCG. 68 runs behind the Australians, India have a faint sniff of a much needed victory. The tourists are 2-0 down in the series but today looked set to bring life back into the race for the Border/Gavaskar Trophy.
On a day that was tough for the Australian bowlers fronting up against two superb batsmen, dropped catches and close chances made the job a little tougher to handle.
Dropped Catches and Near Misses
Early breakthroughs were posted for the Aussies after flashy strokes from Pujara and Vijay were caught behind the wicket off the bowling of Ryan Harris and Shane Watson. Harris captured Pujara with the second ball of the day after a spectacular diving catch by Brad Haddin, who made up for dropping the same batsman yesterday.
Vijay was caught at first slip by Shaun Marsh after trying to squeeze a cut shot off the bowling of Watson. Possibly still a bit shaky after being hit in the helmet by some Mitchell Johnson lightning minutes earlier, Vijay was visibly disappointed as he left the ground.
Just as the Australians seemed to be settling in to a rhythm, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane mounted a stellar comeback for the tourists. With some elegant square drives, vicious hooking and sumptuous poking off the pads, both batsmen were displaying their true potential before an appreciative MCG crowd.
In a 262 run partnership Kohli hit 169 including 18 boundaries and Rahane 147, including 21 boundaries. Both batsmen were dropped during their innings in a day that the Australians, minus Brad Haddin, would like to forget.
Rahane was given a lift on 70 when Nathan Lyon dropped a bobbing catch in the last over with the old ball. Kohli edged to Shane Watson in first slip on 88, the ball ripped through down low and was possibly better suited for an attempt by the keeper. Kohli skyed the ball moments later to short leg, but Haddin was unable to get there quick enough.
Both batsmen made the Australians pay adding another 160 runs collectively. The frustration was evident as Mitchell Johnson followed-through with a shot at the stumps off his own bowling, hitting Kohli in the back. Words were exchanged between Kohli and the Aussies not for the first time this summer, but Kohli made it hurt where it counts.
“They were calling me a spoilt brat,” Kohli told reporters.
“I said ‘maybe that’s the way I am – I know you guys hate me and I like that’.
Ryan Harris was the pick of the Aussie bowlers earning 4 including an excellent, juggling caught and bowled that was taken at blistering speed. When asked about the altercations with Kohli the veteran replied:
“We try not to say too much to him, but sometimes he brings it on himself I guess when he starts it.”
“It’s never personal, it’s always a bit of fun,” Harris said.
Brad Haddin took another screamer to remove Kohli off what proved to be the final ball of the day. Diving in front of Watson at first slip, Haddin snatched the chance off a pacey Mitch Johnson delivery proving that he still has what it takes at the top level.
The Australians will be looking to wrap the tail up quickly on day four so they can set about posting a defensible total. India have a good chance to claim victory if their bowlers are able to back up a good effort by the batsmen. India will resume at 8/462, 68 runs behind the Australians with Shami and Sharma at the crease.
