Australia was for loss of four wickets in their second innings of the second Test against India at Perth, extending their overall lead to 175 runs. Responding to Australia's first-innings total of 326, India got all out for 283.
The last session witnessed some great bowling effort and implementation of strategy form the Indian bowlers. Undoubtedly, the aggression and spirit showed by the bowlers in the final session lifted spirits in the Indian camp.
However, India missed an important oppurtunity to completely dominate the Aussies after Rahane dropped Khawaj's catch. A short pitched delivery bowled by Vihari in the 46th over was edged towards the first slip by Khawaja but Rahane failed to reach the ball in time.
The change in the bowling attack did the trick again for India as star speedster Jasprit Bumrah provided the first breakthrough for his squad.
The first wicket for India came in form of Australian opener Marcus Harris (20), who decided to leave Bumrah’s delivery that clipped off his off-stumps. Harris looked good with the bat but once again failed to convert a good start into a decent batting score.
Mohammad Shami was the second bowler to get his side a much needed wicket in form of Shaun Marsh (5). The men-in-white got all pumped up after Marsh under-edged an extremely misjudged ball and Pant made no mistake to compete the catch comfortably behind the stumps.
However, among the fielding side, Indian skipper Kohli looked most excited after Marsh’s dismissal as he gave the send-off to Marsh with a few words and actions.
India’s senior bowler Ishant Sharma finally made up for his poor performance with the bat and delivered immediately; he picked up his first wicket of the innings. It was in the 26th over when Peter Handscomb was adjudged LBW on a first-ball stunner by Sharma.
Travis Head looked strong but ultimately played a loose shot in the air towards the third man on a wide ball bowled by M Shami in the 41st over; Sharma made no mistake to grab the catch and put India in strong position ahead of the crucial fourth day.
According to media reports, Finch left for the hospital due to the injury he sustained on day three on the second Test. Commentators revealed that the Aussie star opener had previously suffered a blow to his finger from Starc on November 2 at the WACA during a practice session.
Both Australia and India had put their bodies on the line to secure the second Test in Perth. Before Tea on day 3, a short ball from Bumrah crashed into Harris' helmet and knocked him on his back. After the blow, he seemed all good, but a new helmet was on the way out to him.
After helping the visitors to get a superb end to the day 2 for, Indian skipper Virat Kohli scored a brilliant century against Australia on day three of the second Test against Australia at Perth. Kohli played 218-ball knock to score his 25th ton, taking 127 innings, only behind Sir Don Bradman (68).
The 30–year-old has now equaled Sachin Tendulkar for most hundreds by an Indian batsman in Australia. Not only that, previously no Asian batsman has scored Test 100s in South Africa, England and Australia in the same calendar year.
India was dismissed for 283 runs in the first innings on the third day of the second Test against Australia. For hosts, star spinner Nathan Lyon emerged as the player of the day. The Aussie star player led his side off the field after he dominated the day’s play, taking five for 67.