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

[GarlicJam]

Key wicket of Pant by Boland. But tense period of the game with the follow on just about in India's reach.

I expected Aus to enforce the FO if they had the chance last test, but I don't for this one.

[bigfluffylemon]

50 run partnership and follow on saved. Good effort by Reddy.

[GarlicJam]

50 run partnership and follow on saved. Good effort by Reddy.

and the new ball is working in India's favour, atm. The ball is racing off the bat

[meninblue]

What a wonderful partnership this has been between Nitish and Washington. 105 so far.

Still Australia are in a commanding position as India trail by 148.

[alfie]

Feisty fight back by this Indian pair

Honestly thought this was all but done when Jadeja got out. Still a big advantage to the home team but with a rain delay and the lead shrinking it seems Australia might have to do a bit of thinking about how to set up that fourth innings target. And with a pitch staying true and India with a deep batting line-up (albeit with some experienced players struggling) the prospects of another draw are edging back into calculations.

Has been another fascinating day so far. Some flawed batting from both sides otherwise I think that draw would be higher in the charts : but those errors have actually served to keep the eventual outcome far less predictable.

Back on in twenty , I hear. We will see how the light goes later of course ; but sounds promising. Still have Australia in a strong position to force a win but no longer guaranteed...

[meninblue]

Washington Sundar had played clutch knocks in previous test series in Australia. He clearly has temperament required to bat against best bowlers in this format and in a place like Australia which is very different to Indian wickets due to bounce and pace. He needs to add more quality as a spinner because he does not spins the ball much neither he is as versatile like Ashwin. Can work with the spin coaches to improve bowling skills and repetoire.Has been getting injured frequently and I hope he remains injury free.

[alfie]

Washington Sundar had played clutch knocks in previous test series in Australia. He clearly has temperament required to bat against best bowlers in this format and in a place like Australia which is very different to Indian wickets due to bounce and pace. He needs to add more quality as a spinner because he does not spins the ball much neither he is as versatile like Ashwin. Can work with the spin coaches to improve bowling skills and repetoire.Has been getting injured frequently and I hope he remains injury free.

With Ashwin gone and Jadeja not getting any younger he has plenty of room to nail down a regular spot. As you say , a bit more variety in his bowling would solidify his case - especially outside Indian/Asian conditions , where his batting becomes so valuable.

Doing a great job for his team today !

[meninblue]

Washington Sundar had played clutch knocks in previous test series in Australia. He clearly has temperament required to bat against best bowlers in this format and in a place like Australia which is very different to Indian wickets due to bounce and pace. He needs to add more quality as a spinner because he does not spins the ball much neither he is as versatile like Ashwin. Can work with the spin coaches to improve bowling skills and repetoire.Has been getting injured frequently and I hope he remains injury free.

With Ashwin gone and Jadeja not getting any younger he has plenty of room to nail down a regular spot. As you say , a bit more variety in his bowling would solidify his case - especially outside Indian/Asian conditions , where his batting becomes so valuable.

Doing a great job for his team today !

Jaddu has also been under pressure over the years along with Ashwin on overseas tours. Yes, As you mentioned definitely Jaddu is 36. After this twin spin attack of Ash and Jaddu has served Indian test cricket for so long with tremendous performances with the ball and bat as well, it is transition time.

Axar also doesn't turns ball much and he like Kukdeep is unavailable.a

Tanush Kotian, the Mumbai spinner has been called as Ashwin's replacement. Kuldeep was another option but he is not like for like replacement for Ashwin as Kuldeep is a Chinaman bowler. Tanush has scored runs in age level in Mumbai domestic cricket as well as in Ranji. But like Manav Suthar who is also another option, there is a lot of work to do as a spinners to improve.

Of all the options, Kuldeep is easily the most skillful at this point of time. Luckily, England series is far too away (6 months) so he will be fit and available for selection.

Hope the BCCI and think tank mange this spin attack transition well. But that is doubtful.

[meninblue]

107 overs batted. Welcome and refreshing change as team just couldn't survive against NZ bowling.

[meninblue]

126* runs partnership in 46 overs.

[meninblue]

50 fro Washington and 100 for Nitish.

Indi 356/9 in 115.3 overs

[meninblue]

Play stopped.

India traling by 116 runs. The Australian batting innings will not be far away when play resumes. Indian think tank have dropped specilaist pacer for Nitish who bats at 8, and it was clear that the think tank lacked confidence in carrying Rohit, Virat and KL. However, Rishabh, Jaddu, Nitish and Washington will not score everytime. This is still Australia's match to lose as apart from Yashasvi nobody from 1 to 6 were actually away from beign dropped if we did not have a bias selection panel and BCCI did not need poster boys.

[alfie]

Well no way really for Australia to lose this - barring a dreadful collapse tomorrow or an over-generous declaration...not seeing either as likely on this fairly benign pitch. But India now have a real chance to escape with a draw - though they will need to bat solidly again on Monday.

That wonderful partnership has changed the outlook massively . Was looking like a typical Australian home win (bat big , take a lead , extend it with a pressure free second knock and apply the killer blow over days 4-5) : now they have a bit of work to do ; though still in with a good chance to go 1 up in the series. A good Test Match , this

[meninblue]

There was one match last Ranji season which Mumbai won against TN. Against Mumbai in Ranji trophy semis Washington came in when TamilNadu had lost 5 wickets for 40 something runs and he took TN to nearby 150. Mumbai won but Washington showed he can handle the pressure of top order collapses.

He has also batted as one down. Couple of months back in Ranji trophy Washington scored 152 against Delhi batting one down. The lofted shot he hit for 6 against Mahesh Rawat, most would have hit over deep mid-wicket. He played it over long off. The straight drive against Navdeep Saini all along the ground to long off was like a specialist batsman had played it. He is also good at playing the cover drive well all along the ground.

Washington has also shown at international level against last series in Australia and this one as well, that he can score decent runs, play clutch knocks himself and get into meaningful partnership. In Washingto,n he had a capable batsman to reduce Australian lead by such a huge margin and get his 100 as well.

Well done to Nitish for 100 in tough debut series. His primary skill though is batting. With this knock and a few handy innings next year at international level, there may come a time when he will get to bat higher at 7 gradually.

[GarlicJam]

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.