The Indian team dominated the entire Day 3 in Perth as they have gained an edge over the Australian team. The hosts are at 12/3 and chasing a mammoth total of 534.
In the first session of Day 3, India lost KL Rahul, but Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a gritty hundred. The second session saw Kohli getting back his rhythm, while Jaiswal was dismissed for 161 in his debut test in Australia.
In the first hour of the third session, Washington Sundar played with a fine intent to contribute 29 off 94 balls, before getting his stumps rattled by Nathan Lyon.
The 129th over saw signs of declaration, as Reddy piled on misery on the Australian team. He smashed Mitchell Marsh for three boundaries on the trot, that too with authority.
In the next over, Kohli played a delightful lofted six against Lyon towards the straight boundary. He then pulled Marnus Labuschagne towards the deep mid-wicket and long-on region. In the last three overs, India had accumulated 34 runs and were flying.
Interestingly, Kohli played an unconventional reverse sweep to secure a boundary against Lyon, much to the surprise to the cricket fraternity and fans.
Reddy looked at his aggressive best as he slammed Labuschagne for a sensational six towards the long-on region. The ball was pitched up right in the slot, as the right-hander dispatched it to the stands.
With a signal of declaration from the dugout, Kohli aimed at reaching the three-figure mark. With Australia opting to go with spinners Lyon and Labuschagne, things eased up a bit more, as Kohli finally managed to score his 30th test ton and end a 16-month century drought.
Reddy also played a good hand by scoring 38* off 27, as India declared on 487/6, and set up a mammoth target of 534 for the Australian team.
The visitors needed wickets upfront to pile on misery on Australia to strengthen their grip on the game. In only the first over, Jasprit Bumrah ruffled Nathan McSweeney’s pads to dismiss him for a duck. Soon, Mohammed Siraj induced an edge with his fuller length to dismiss captain Pat Cummins for 2.
In the dying moments of the third day, Bumrah trapped Labuschagne LBW for 3 as Australia ended the day on 12/3. They will have a long mountain to climb on Monday, with 522 more runs required to win the game.
With cracks developing and low bounce also on offer, the Indian bowlers have entered the ground at just the right time. It will be interesting to see whether Australian batters can pose a strong resistance on Day 4.
