Australia bounced back in the 3rd Test of the four-match Test series against India in Indore as they beat the Indian team by 9 wickets on Day 3. Many fans expected a ruthless performance by the Australian team but they couldn’t provide that in the first two Test matches. However, Steve Smith got the responsibility to lead the team in absence of Pat Cummins who returned back to Australia due to a serious family health issue.
Talking about the match, India opted to bat first after winning the toss, but the decision proved wrong as the Indian batting lineup were cleaned up on the score of just 109 runs. Matthew Kuhnemann picked up a fifer in the first innings. Australia came to bat in their first innings and were batting really well as Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne stitched a brilliant 96-run stand for the 2nd wicket.
They ended the first day on a good note as they were 156/4 and the second day started with Cameron Green and Peter Handscomb batting really well in the morning. However, the partnership couldn’t last long as Indian off-spinner R Ashwin struck right after the drinks break. Australian batting line-up scattered like a pack of cards after that. They lost their 6 wickets for 11 runs.
Nathan Lyon took 8 wickets in the second innings
India started the second innings with a trail of 88 runs, and in no time they lost four wickets, as Nathan Lyon was bowling beautifully, he took 8 wickets in the second innings. There was a brief counterattack from Shreyas Iyer, who took the attack to the spinners, racing to 26 off 27 balls. Cheteshwar Pujara was looking solid at the crease but Steve Smith’s brilliant catch in the leg slip ended his brilliant inning and India gave a small target of 76 runs to Australia.
Ashwin gave some hope when he removed the in-form Khawaja off the second ball of the day, but that was the only joy for India as Travis Head decided to accelerate and stitched a match-winning partnership with Labuschagne. With this win, Australia also qualified for the WTC final.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Bhai gandi wali paunauti laga di bhai sabne 🥲😅
— yuvraj (@yuvraj60683406) March 3, 2023
jeeto na😂😂 pic.twitter.com/TC5MjXZDLQ
— Ankit 🇮🇳 (@Ankitrox0) March 3, 2023
— जितेंद्र (@hydbadshah) March 3, 2023
Sack Vadapav
Worst Indian Captain pic.twitter.com/p7EnKSuocN— Pranju💫 (@PranjaIIjain079) March 3, 2023
Aur banao super Rank Turners . We aren’t too good at playing spin either . Remember !!
— Zombie (@Zombie70000) March 3, 2023
Hum safe h? Ya 4th test is a must win game?
— Vaibhav (@vv_vaibhavverma) March 3, 2023
Sahi h inke muh pr aise hi slap padna chahiye, bilkul wrong strategy, wtc final m bhi kuch nhi hona tumse
— NainaSingh 🇮🇳 (@NainaS771) March 3, 2023
Overconfidence is a Reality
— Syed Rizvi (@SyedRiz50787807) March 3, 2023
Toota hai Indore ka khamand jeet gayi hai Australia
— CricketGoats (@CricketOpy) March 3, 2023
