IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 3: Rain forces for an early lunch after India take 15-run lead

IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 3: India bowled out Australia for 235 runs, taking a 15-run lead in the 2nd innings

Heavy rain compelled the umpires to call for an early lunch after India bowled out Australia for 235 runs, taking a 15-run lead on the third day of the first Test at the Adelaide Oval. KL Rahul and Murali Vijay to begin the second innings after the lunch break.

After mauling Australia on Thursday, Virat Kohli and Co. looked forward to bundling up the hosts as soon as possible but, the rain played the spoilsport and delayed the game by almost an hour. Once the drizzling stopped, Ishant Sharma began the Indian bowling attack while Australia resumed their innings with 191 for seven, replying to India's first-innings total of 250 all out.

The visitors continued their dominance as Bumrah struck in the fourth over the day to hunt Mitchell Starc down. A full and wider delivery tempted Starc into a big drive and made him pay the price. The latter got a thin edge through to Pant who took it head high.

Bumrah picks up his third wicket just before the rain delay in Adelaide: https://t.co/lTUqyqRMzW #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/2qYG9VM1gU

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 8, 2018

With Starc’s departure, the heavens opened up again, prompting the groundsmen to bring the covers on.

After an hour of interruption, the weather allowed taking the covers off the ground and the play commenced again. Nathan Lyon joined Travis head at the crease while Bumrah came into the attack to complete his over.

Both Bumrah and Ishant Sharma (2-47) were guilty of bowling shorter to the tail-enders, and it didn't change this morning either. Nathan Lyon (24 not out) made good use of this, hitting two fours and a six, as he put on 31 runs for the ninth wicket. Australia were happier of the two sides having added 44 runs in just 10.4 overs of play. In their bid to get the lower order out quickly, India were guilty of leaking easy runs.

Nathan Lyon sends one over the rope and Old Mate takes the grab in the first row!#AUSvIND | @toyota_aus pic.twitter.com/ePTUpuFL5A

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 8, 2018

Soon Mohammed Shami, who remained wicketless on the second day, struck back-to-back in the 99th over to wrap up the Australian innings for 235. Eventually, the Indian speedster gets a hat-trick chance when he comes to bowl in the fourth innings.

Head's immaculate knock came to an end when he edged Shami behind, and the very next ball, the pacer finished things off with Josh Hazlewood out caught similarly for a first-ball duck.

Shami's double strike ends Australia's innings at 235. #TeamIndia take a 15-run lead #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/lVJcCeDQ9S

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 8, 2018

Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant took 6 catches to equal MS Dhoni’s record of grabbing most catches in a Test innings by an Indian wicketkeeper. The former Indian skipper took as many catches in 2009 against New Zealand in Wellington.

Earlier, Australia were 191 for seven at stumps on the second day, replying to India's first-innings total of 250 all out at the Adelaide Oval. The hosts were trailing by 59 runs with three wickets remaining.

Travis Head was batting on 61 and Mitchell Starc was giving him company on 8.

Brief scores:

India 1st innings: 250 all out in 88 overs

Australia 1st innings: 235 all out in 98.4 overs (Travis Head 72; Jasprit Bumrah 3/47, Ravichandran Ashwin 3/57).