IND VS AUS 5TH TEST

The ebbs and flows of Test cricket are what makes the format so captivating. With a lead of 145 runs, the approach from the Indians on Day 3 will be crucial. After Pant's dismissal, they seemed to retreat into a shell, which doesn’t appear to be the right approach on a wicket where any ball could have your name written on it. As for Australia, their pacers will be raring to go after a good night's sleep, eager to skittle India out for under 175. With only the tail to follow, it's a target they will certainly feel is within reach. The uncertainty surrounding Jasprit Bumrah’s further participation in the Test adds another layer to the contest. It all sets up for a massive day ahead. The first ball on Day 3 will be bowled at 5 am IST (11.30 pm GMT, the previous day). We look forward to having your company. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Beau Webster has a quick chat with Isa Guha. He starts off by saying that he is happy to contribute with the bat. Further adds that the Test match has run very fast. Mentions that he has the full backing of the team to play his game. Adds that the wicket has plenty on offer for the quicks. He further talks about how happy they were to see the back of Rishabh Pant. Mentions that he is super excited to try and get the job done with the bat whenever he gets the chance in the second innings.

In India's second innings, Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone early, punishing any loose deliveries. Scott Boland, brought on as the first change, quickly dismissed three of India's top four. With India reduced to 79/4, Rishabh Pant counter-attacked, smashing a rapid 29-ball fifty. Pat Cummins eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Pant. The hosts then tightened the screws, resulting in the wicket of Nitish Kumar Reddy. It would have been an ideal end to the day for Australia, but Steven Smith dropped a catch of Ravindra Jadeja that he had no business going for.

After the break, Alex Carey came out with positive intent, complementing Beau Webster's approach at the other end. The duo steadily chipped away at the deficit, swinging the momentum back in the hosts' favour. However, the tide turned again when Carey was dismissed. With Bumrah off to the hospital for scans, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Prasidh Krishna took charge, running through the Australian lower order. Webster, with his maiden Test half-century, was the standout performer for Australia, but the rest of the batting fell short, and the hosts ultimately conceded a 4-run lead.

The day started with a topsy-turvy first session with India striking early through Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Steven Smith and the debutant Beau Webster led the fightback for the home side after they were reduced to 39/4 inside the first hour. Smith fell 5 runs short of the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket as the tourists went into the Lunch break with the momentum on their side.

SESSION SUMMARY - 32 overs, 141 runs and 6 wickets. What a riveting day of Test cricket! The game has progressed at a brisk pace, with momentum swinging back and forth. As Day 2 draws to a close, the contest remains finely poised, with both sides locked in a proper arm wrestle with the series on the line.

Gets runs! Pitched fuller and on the fourth stump line, Washington Sundar presses forward and knocks it behind square. The ball rolls towards deep backward point and the batters complete the second run. And that will be STUMPS ON DAY 2!

Angled onto the pads, on a good length, Ravindra Jadeja steers it off the hips towards deep square leg for a single. Sundar to face the final delivery of Day 2.

Boland goes fuller and on off at 130.7 kph. Jadeja gets behind the line and knocks it straight to mid off.

Back of a length, outside off, left alone.

Wow, this one zips through the surface! Length, and just outside off and skidding through. Ravindra Jadeja makes a very close leave.

Back of a length, on top of off, Jadeja gets on the back foot and taps it in front of cover.

The last over of the day coming up. It will be Scott Boland to bowl.

Hard length outside off. Sundar offers no shot.

Full and wide outside off. Sundar leaves it alone.

Good length and around off. Sundar defends it to point.

EDGED AND DROPPED! A chance goes begging in this twilight period! And Jadeja can breath a sigh of relief for now! Webster bowls it on a hard length and it does just enough to nip away from the deck, around off, Ravindra Jadeja is taken aback by the excessive bounce as he hangs his bat away from the body while trying to drop his wrists on it. A healthy outside edge is found and it goes straight parallel to the ground towards Usman Khawaja at the first slip. It is Khawaja's catch to be taken, but Smith from the second slip, who is stacked closer to Khawaja dives to his right and ahead of the first slip to catch but shells and parries it behind. A single taken.

Gets that away shape again, on a length and outside off, Jadeja is happy to let it through.