India vs Australia Score, WTC Final 2023 Day 3: Aus 123/4 at Stumps, Lead by 296
India vs Australia, WTC Final 2023 Updates, Day 3: Ravindra Jadeja dismissed the centurions of first innings.
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India and Australia are competing in the 2021-23 ICC World Test Championship final, which is being played in England's Oval.
After being asked to bat first, Australia scored 469 runs.
India scored 296 runs in their first innings.
At the end of Day 3, Australia are 123/4, enjoying a lead of 296 runs.
Marnus Labuschagne is unbeaten on 41.
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India vs Australia Live Score: India Pin Hopes on Rahane as Odds Are Stacked Against Them
Rise up and shine!
Well, you might have already done that long back if you are joining us from India, but the team certainly needs to rise, and rise against all odds, if they are to stage a comeback in this ultimate Test.
The first couple of days of the 2021-23 ICC World Test Championship final has been all about doom and gloom for the Indian cricket team. After choosing to bowl first, Rohit Sharma's men conceded 469 runs, with both Steve Smith and Travis Head scoring centuries.
At that stage, the pitch seemed to be what is regarded as a belter, but things changed drastically when India came out to bat. The likes of Scott Boland and Pat Cummins caused troubles aplenty, with half of the Indian team already sent back for a paltry total of 151 runs.
India are still 119 runs away from avoiding a possible follow-on, and 318 runs away from equaling Australia's total, but with Ajinkya Rahane still at the crease, batting on a resilient 29 off 71 deliveries, they can still harbour some hopes of making a comeback.
It will be crucial not to lose a wicket in the first session of Day 3, and for that to happen, wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat will also need to come up trumps.
This looks all set to be the most important day of the match. We will be bringing you live updates from throughout the day.
India vs Australia Live Score: Can India Survive Australia's Early Attack?
The biggest question ahead of Day 3's first session is, undoubtedly – can the Indian batters survive the early attack they are about to face? Scott Boland looked ominous on Thursday, with the likes of Cameron Green, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc also doing well.
In case either of Bharat and Rahane depart early, India's tail will be exposed sooner than they would ideally prefer, and it could result in a collapse. Yet, some resilience from the pair currently at the crease could go a long way in helping India get back in the game.
India vs Australia Live Score: New Day, New Dawn?
The two batters, Ajinkya Rahane and KS Bharat, are seemingly ready. Certainly, the Aussie bowlers are, too. Hopes are slender, but can India, somehow, anyhow, by hook or by crook, spring a surprise?
India vs Australia Live Score: KS Bharat Departs
WICKET! All of the previews and pre-match analyses go in vain!
Australia have taken all but two deliveries to strike first blood on Day 3. Scott Boland comes up with yet another precise, and pacey in-swinger, and KS Bharat has absolutely no clue about how to tackle the delivery. Instead, the Indian keeper gets his stumps dismantled, as his team lose another wicket.
India are 152/6. Follow-on looks like a real, major possibility now.
India vs Australia Live Score: Relentless Pressure From Australia
UNRELENTING AUSSIES!
Shardul Thakur is feeling the pain, and quite literally so, for he has been struck on the forearm twice by Pat Cummins. He is now batting with additional protection, but it is quite evident that the Indians are under immense pressure here.
Score: 167/6.
India vs Australia Live Score: 200 Up For India
Commendable!
This is sensible, resilient batting from Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur. The latter might consider himself fortunate, having had two catches dropped by Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green, but they have done well to neutralise Australia's relentless attack. Making his comeback, Rahane also brought up his 26th Test half-century.
India are currently 209/6.
India vs Australia Live Score: Impressive Batting
Hat tip to Rahane and Thakur!
When Scott Boland bowled KS Bharat in only the second ball of the day, it seemed that India were headed towards a follow-on. Yet, Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur have been brilliant for the men in blue.
Both have had catches dropped, with fortune smiling brightly on them, but it has taken an effort and a half to confront Australia's four-pronged pace attack.
India are currently 249/6.
India vs Australia Live Score: Promising First Session For India
Grit. Determination. And all words along the same lines.
After two underwhelming days, India have finally managed to produce something that will cheer up the fanbase. Yes, both Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur has been fortunate, but it does not take away anything from the resilience they have exhibited, against an Aussie bowling unit that had its tail up.
At lunch on Day 3, India are 260/6, trailing by 209 runs. Ajinkya Rahane is unbeaten on 89, with the 'Lord' batting on 36. We will be right back for the second session. Game on!
India vs Australia Live Score: Rahane Out For 89
HEARTBREAK!
What is with this Indian team, and losing wickets right at the start of a session? In only the second over of the second session, Pat Cummins has done the trick by getting the big wicket of Ajinkya Rahane.
The ball is banged short and outside off, but being in the nick that he is, Rahane opts for the shot instead of leaving it. Alas! The red cherry catches a thick outside edge, and having dropped a dolly early today, Cameron Green has taken a fantastic catch this time around. The journeyman will have to wait for his 13th Test ton.
India are 261/7.
India vs Australia Live Score: Umesh Departs
Another one bites the dust!
Now that Ajinkya Rahane is back in the pavilion, it might only be a matter of time before curtains are called on this Indian innings. Umesh Yadav could survive only 11 deliveries, wherein he scored 5 runs, before getting bowled by Pat Cummins.
India are 272/8.
India vs Australia Live Score: Thakur Out After 50
LORD OUT!
This has been an exemplary knock from Shardul Thakur. He has been at the receiving end of multiple blows, but came back stronger every time, and eventually managed to bail his team out, to some degree, with a 51-run knock.
India are 294/9.
India vs Australia Live Score: India All Out For 296
THAT'S IT!
Mohammed Shami is the last batter to depart, and India's innings comes to an end for 296 runs. Holistically, the score might look underwhelming, but India could afford to a sport a smile after it once seemed that they might be bowled out for less than 200. Lion's share of the credit goes to Ajinkya Rahane, for scoring 89 runs, whilst Shardul Thakur backed him commendably with a courageous 51.
Australia are leading by 173 runs. Their second innings to commence soon. We will be back with all the live updates.
India vs Australia Live Score: Early Breakthrough For India
BIG WICKET!
Just what the doctor ordered for India. An early wicket was essential to even dream of making a comeback, and Mohammed Siraj has done just that, by dismissing the dangerous David Warner. The experienced campaigner could not deal with Siraj's out-swinger, with an outside edge finding KS Bharat's gloves.
Australia are 2/1.
India vs Australia Live Score: Labuschagne, Khawaja Stabilise Innings
Carbon copy of the first innings!
India did manage to strike early yet again, with David Warner being the victim this time, but they haven't been able to pick up wickets in clusters. Australia are 23/1 at tea, with Marnus Labuschagne batting on 8 and Usman Khawaja batting on 13.
India vs Australia Live Score: Usman Khawaja Gone
ANOTHER WICKET!
Usman Khawaja will be disappointed with himself, but India will not mind this one bit. Just the seventh ball that Umesh Yadav has bowled in this innings, and Khawaja opts for a drive. Albeit, it catches an outside edge and finds its way into Bharat's gloves.
Australia are 31/2. Can India trigger a collapse? Can they?
India vs Australia Live Score: Smudge & Smudge Jr. Going Strong
How quickly has the glimmer of hope evaporated into thin air?
When Usman Khawaja took the long walk back to pavilion, it did seem that India might be able to script a comeback, an unforeseen turnaround of sorts, with quick wickets.
Yet, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, or as we have referred to them as in the headline, Smudge and Smudge Jr. had some very contrasting plans. Both have found their footing, with the former batting on 32 and the latter batting on 34.
Australia are now 83/2, with a lead of 256 runs. A minimum of 28 overs left in day's play. India have entered the now-or-never corridor.
India vs Australia Live Score: Smith Gone
WICKET!
Right, we might have jinxed Steve Smith. Just when he was looking indomitable, Ravindra Jadeja triggers his unceremonious downfall. The batter goes for a big hit, but could not get the proper connection and ended up giving a fairly simple catch to Shardul Thakur.
Australia are 86/3.
India vs Australia Live Score: Head Falls
NO MORE TRAVBALL!
Are Australia going a bit too gung-ho here? Are they somehow bringing India back in the hunt?
Travis Head started his innings in the usual Travis Head style, but he will not cause the Indians as much trouble as he did a couple of days ago. Instead, he falls prey to Ravindra Jadeja while batting on 18.
Australia are 112/4.
India vs Australia Live Score: Australia End Day 3 on 123/4
One-Two-Three-For-Four.
No, we are not going back to pre-school, this is what Australia's scorecard reads at the end of Day 3. Analysing the day's play, it will be difficult to pinpoint who will be the happier of the two outfits.
Finding themselves with backs to the wall, the Indians put up a commendable fight, led by the pairing of Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur. And then, Ravindra Jadeja came up trumps to dismiss both of first innings' centurions.
Yet, keeping the game in perspective, Australia will be fairly comfortable. Marnus Labuschagne is looking in good touch, being nine runs away from a half-century, whilst his team is only four runs away from taking a 300-run lead.
Hence, the big question for tomorrow will be about Australia's approach. Will they go all guns blazing to take the lead to over 400, and declare around lunch time? Or, rather, will they try to play it out cautiously, in order to avoid any possible collapse? And, most importantly, at what point will they consider declaring, should India not pick up the next six wickets soon?
Questions aplenty, but don't worry, all answers will be furnished tomorrow. We will be back with all the live updates from Day 4 of this World Test Championship final. Till then, enjoy a great night's sleep.
Score at the end of Day 3: Australia 123/4, leading by 296 runs. Labuschagne is not out on 41, Cameron Green is batting on 7.