The Indian bowling attack kept a check on the hosts as they could score only 104 runs in 49 overs after losing 4 wickets while chasing a mammoth target of 323 runs in the third session of the Adelaide test. At the time of stumps, Travis Head remained unbeaten on 11 while Shaun Marsh was batting on 31. Australia need 219 more runs to win while India require 6 more wickets to lead the series.
After the tea break, Australia’s run chase began with the fall of Marcus Harris on 26. In the 17th over, Mohammed Shami bowled a good length delivery with a hint of width. Harris nicked the ball and Pant yet another catch.
Shaun Marsh stepped out to bat at number 4 and unlike his previous innings, he looked much confident and determined. On the other hand, Khawaja’s struggle against the Indian bowling attack was clearly visible. They stitched a partnership of 16 runs in which Khawaja contributed just 4 runs while Marsh smashed two boundaries to add the other 12 runs.
They failed to carry this tuning forward as Ashwin struck again to end Khawaja’s struggle in the middle. The left-hander moved down the line to go for a lofted shot over mid-off, but he ended up slicing it towards deep extra cover and Rohit Sharma took a great catch to finish the job.
Handscomb was the next man in who batted quite patiently alongside Marsh to keep the run-chase stable. However, he failed to score much and lost his wicket to Mohammed Shami in the 37th over.
Travis head, who top-scored in the previous innings for Australia, well supported Marsh to finish the day’s play, scoring 11 runs off 37 balls. The duo will resume the innings at 104/4 on the final day.
Earlier, India scored 307 in their second innings riding on half-centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara (71) and Ajinkya Rahane (70). Nathan Lyon took six wickets.
Brief Scores:
India 250 and 307 (Cheteshwar Pujara 71, Ajinkya Rahane 70, Nathan Lyon 6/122)
Australia 235 and 104/4 (Shaun Marsh 31 batting, R Ashwin 2/44, Mohammed Shami 2/15).