Australia ended Day 3 of the ICC (World Test Championship) WTC final 2023 in a commanding position, leading India by 296 runs.
The Aussies were 123-4 at stumps in their second innings, with Marnus Labuschagne (41) and Cameron Green (7) at the crease.Australia lost early wickets in their second innings, with David Warner (1) and Usman Khawaja (13) both dismissed by Umesh Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja respectively.
However, Steve Smith (34) and Travis Head (18) steadied the innings with a 52-run partnership before Smith was caught behind off Jadeja.Head was dismissed by Mohammed Shami for 18, leaving Australia in a precarious position at 78-3.
However, Labuschagne and Green batted solidly to take Australia to 123-4 at stumps.Earlier, India were all out for 296 in their first innings, with Ajinkya Rahane (89), Shardul Thakur (51) and Ravindra Jadeja (48) all making significant contributions.India’s openers, Rohit Sharma (15) and Shubman Gill (13), were both dismissed by Pat Cummins and Scott Boland respectively.
Cheteshwar Pujara (14) was dismissed by Cameron Green, while Virat Kohli (14) was caught behind off Mitchell Starc.India were 71-4 when Jadeja came to bat, and he and Rahane put on 71 runs for the fifth wicket to steady the innings.Thakur and Rahane then combined for a 109-run partnership for the sixth wicket to take India to 296.
In Australia’s first innings, Travis Head and Steve Smith scored centuries to help the Aussies to 469.Head scored 163 off 174 balls, while Smith scored 121 off 268 balls.
India’s bowlers were led by Mohammed Siraj, who took four wickets for 108 runs.Mohammed Shami and Shardul Thakur took two wickets each, while Ravindra Jadeja took one.India will need to bowl out Australia quickly on Day 4 if they are to have any chance of winning the match.
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