The third day of the 4th test match between India and Australia was engrossing. The wicket is still flat. But, the Australian bowlers maintained line and length. India lost only 4 wickets, hit two centuries too but managed only 270 runs on a batting track. The confidence shown in Rahul paid off, Rohit also performed better but Raina failed. India still trails by 230 runs, very close to avoiding follow on with 2 more days to go in the completion of test series as captain Kohli remains unbeaten with his 3rd century in as many innings. Kohli achieved another World record becoming the first captain to score 3 centuries in his first 3 innings as captain.
2014-2015 Indian Tour of Australia: Schedule
Day 3 Statistics
- 1st Captain in the World to score 3 consecutive century in his first 3 innings as captain (Virat Kohli)
KL Rahul scored his maiden century.
Kohli scored his 10th century, 3rd as captain in as many innings.
4th century helped Kohli equal Indian record of Gavaskar for maximum centuries in a test series.
4 centuries make Kohli join the likes of Herbert Sutcliffe and Wally Hammond as the third visiting batsmen to achieve the feat in a series at Australia.
639 runs by Kohli is now the highest by any Indian vs Australia in a series. He broke Dravid’s 619 run (2003-04 series) record.
698 runs by Smith and 639 runs (including current unbeaten inning) by Kohli get them close to Bradman’s record of 715 runs, maximum by any batsman in a India-Australia series.
Indian Response
Starting with the overnight score, Rohit Sharma (53) stayed around for 18 overs during the day scoring only 13 runs and his torture was ended by Lyon as he added 97 runs with KL Rahul (110), who went on to score his maiden century in his 3rd test innings. He added 141 runs for the 3rd wicket with captain Kohli before getting out on another atrocious shot in his 3rd consecutive test innings, just after tea. Rahane (13) stayed along to add 54 runs for 4th wicket. But unlucky to be given LBW, Rahane and Raina (0), playing a test after 2012 were sent back on consecutive balls by Shane Watson. The score read 292/4 and the tail was in danger of getting exposed.
But Saha (14*) showed some application as he and Kohli (140*) added unbeaten 50 runs for 6th wicket to finish Day 3 at 342/5, 230 runs behind the Australian total.
Starc (2/77 in 21 overs) and Watson (2/42 in 15 overs) were the most successful Aussie bowlers. Lyon (1/91 in 32 overs) got rewarded for hard work, while Harris (0/63 in 23 overs), Hazlewood (0/45 in 20 overs) and Smith (0/17 in 4 overs) remained wicketless.
Kohli and Rahul
After his atrocious shots and poor performance and considering the past trend of new comers getting dropped immediately, KL Rahul needed to Thank the team and new skipper Kohli for showing faith in him. He did it in the best possible way by scoring his maiden century.
Kohli on the other hand, like Smith, continued as if there is no tomorrow. He remained unbeaten on 140 runs scored with 20 boundaries in 214 balls. His job is still not finish though.
The way Indian tail bats, if Kohli gets out in first over tomorrow, there is a probability that Indians might not be able to manage the remaining 30 runs that they need to avoid follow on.
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