India tour of Australia (Nov 22, 2024 - Jan 03, 2025)

[meninblue]

126* runs partnership in 46 overs.

A very good partnership, considering the state of the game. It has increased the chances of anything other than an Australian victory. It adds good pressure on Australia to force the running of the game. As will any continuation of the 10th wicket partnership in the morning.

If they had only a short partnership, there probably would have been a lot of today for Australia to build onto a lead. They'd probably have a 350 run lead by now, if it had just been a (say) 30 run partnership.

The small drama around Washington's dismissal, then Bumrah's dismissal, and Reddy's century added to my enjoyment of the day's cricket.

Australia has more than enough cushion of runs to take lead. But yes, India's chance to atleast attempt for a draw have increased as you mentioned. A draw looked highly unlikely if this was a 30 run partnership. These two have also batted overs (time) for India. Of they had scored at 5 an over, India would have to bat long in second innings for a draw.

[sussexpob]

Things like this do get overblown, but it was pretty poor by Kohli - someone of his stature deliberately doing that to a debutant. He accepted his sanction, and fair enough.

I am not sure it matters too much that its a player of influence doing it to a debutant, its part of sports at all levels that when you reach the elite level, experienced players are going to get in your head and test how fragile your confidence or will to win is. If the batter ends up spitting his dummy out and making an issue of it, its indicative of a player who might not have the temperament for higher level - in this case Konstas handled it like a boss and got on with it. Back when I played rugby, it was the same. Someone turning up a bit younger with a spanking clean, bright coloured kit could guarantee the first couple of hits coming his way would have a little extra weight behind them because on occasion you can see players buckle under that.

Of course, sometimes the opposite happens, and a player reacts by smacking you back or turning into the incredible hulk. I think that's part of what makes sports great, so as long as nothing OTT or flat out violent is being done, I have zero issue with this sort of soft bumping. Hell, test cricket could really do with a bit more spice.

[backfootpunch]

Sledging is fine physical contact is not. That isn't cricket.

He's lucky he wasn't banned for the last match of the series.

What made me chuckle was him trying to act like konstas had initiated it. Virat there's 20 cameras on you

[meninblue]

Sledging is fine physical contact is not. That isn't cricket.

He's lucky he wasn't banned for the last match of the series.

What made me chuckle was him trying to act like konstas had initiated it. Virat there's 20 cameras on you

Virat has drawn enough criticism in India for this. An experienced player showing maturity of a kid. Should be focussing on seeing how he can score runs when he is struggling for years in test cricket. Lucky not to be dropped. Always gets into fights with Indian fans because of his attitude and now gets booed in Australia and gets severe backlash at home.

[bigfluffylemon]

Sledging is fine physical contact is not. That isn't cricket.

He's lucky he wasn't banned for the last match of the series.

What made me chuckle was him trying to act like konstas had initiated it. Virat there's 20 cameras on you

This exactly. A few verbals are one thing. Deliberate physical contact is not on.

[andy]

Thoughts ahead of day 4? Plans gotta be bowl India out early and get a lead of 350-400 as quick as possible and hopefully be bowling by the close?

[GarlicJam]

What made me chuckle was him trying to act like konstas had initiated it. Virat there's 20 cameras on you

Kohli walking a couple of steps after the contact, then he swings around in surprise. "wtf just happened there?" He should be suspended for bad acting

[backfootpunch]

Thoughts ahead of day 4? Plans gotta be bowl India out early and get a lead of 350-400 as quick as possible and hopefully be bowling by the close?

Indeed

India are back in the game now though with a winning chance. All it takes is another bumrah special and they are chasing 300-325 on a flat enough pitch and Cummins, starc and boland have bowled a lot of overs.

[backfootpunch]

What made me chuckle was him trying to act like konstas had initiated it. Virat there's 20 cameras on you

Kohli walking a couple of steps after the contact, then he swings around in surprise. "wtf just happened there?" He should be suspended for bad acting

If he's hoping for a bollywood career after cricket it may be a short one.

[backfootpunch]

Innings number 2 for konstas.

The test for him is going to be the media floggings he's going to get when getting out playing extremely risky shots.

Look at KP, his first 2 or 3 years he was playing flamingo shots, switch hitting murali, swatting warne against the spin. Then over time the dumslog millionaire headlines start adding up and he stopped playing a lot of those shots and he was never really the same player. Think he had something like 15 hundreds in 45 matches then only 8 in his next 60 ish games. Putting the shackles on made him a lesser player (he did though make 3 all time great hundreds in that period vs india, Sri lanka and south africa.)

It'll be interesting to see how konstas goes, I suspect it'll be tough, the aussie media isn't forgiving.

Same goes for rishabh pant too.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Aussies wrap up the innings wihout fuss or mishap. Game moves on.

[backfootpunch]

India have bowled a tad too short again

When will they realise?

They are beating the bat, time after time after time. But not finding edges.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe India trying to stretch this innings into the fifth day by drying up the scoring rate....

[backfootpunch]

Maybe India trying to stretch this innings into the fifth day by drying up the scoring rate....

I'd agree that might be the strategy if they hadn't done it all series.

[bigfluffylemon]

India fighting back hard - 4 wickets for 30 runs and Australia in a spot of bother. Now Cummins and Labu are holding on. If India can bowl Australia out this afternoon for a target under 300, they'll reckon it's on.

A fascinating test match,