India vs Australia 3rd Test Highlights: India Triumphs in a Gripping Battle
Venue: Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot | Match Date: February 15-19, 2024
In what was yet another thrilling encounter between two of cricket’s modern giants, India clinched a resounding victory over Australia in the third Test of the ongoing series, solidifying their dominance and bouncing back after a closely-fought second Test. With this win, India takes a decisive 2-1 lead in the series and sets up an enthralling finale in the fourth Test.
Day 1: India’s Resilient Start
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India’s openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal started cautiously on a lively Rajkot pitch that offered movement for the Australian pace duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Rohit, in particular, played with calculated aggression, unleashing his trademark pull shots when the Aussies erred in length.
However, Australia struck back in the morning session. Hazlewood dismissed Jaiswal (21) with a sharp bouncer, while Cummins trapped Shubman Gill (9) plumb in front to leave India at 50/2. It was then Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma who steadied the ship with a crucial 89-run partnership.
Rohit reached a gritty 71 before falling to Nathan Lyon, while Kohli’s elegant strokeplay saw him notch up yet another half-century. But Australia fought back in the final session. Mitchell Starc’s reverse swing proved unplayable, as he dismissed Kohli for 68 and removed Suryakumar Yadav for a duck. India finished Day 1 at 265/7, thanks to Ravindra Jadeja’s fighting 40*.
Top Performers (Day 1):
Rohit Sharma: 71 (125 balls, 10 fours)
Virat Kohli: 68 (152 balls, 7 fours)
Josh Hazlewood: 3/52
Day 2: India’s Tail Wags, Australia Crumble
The second day began with India’s lower order frustrating the Aussies. Jadeja, alongside Mohammed Shami, added a vital 65-run stand for the ninth wicket. Shami’s aggressive 35, filled with powerful heaves, allowed India to push the total to 343 before Starc ended the innings with figures of 4/78.
In reply, Australia’s innings began on a disastrous note. Mohammed Siraj, exploiting the pitch’s early seam movement, sent back Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne in quick succession. At 25/2, Australia looked to their stalwart Steve Smith, but the Indian bowlers executed their plans to perfection. Ravichandran Ashwin deceived Smith with a beauty, dismissing him for 27.
Travis Head and Cameron Green tried to revive the innings with a counter-attacking partnership. Head played some aggressive strokes en route to his 54, but Jadeja’s double strike in the final session tilted the game. Australia slumped to 192 all out, trailing by 151 runs.
Top Performers (Day 2):
Ravindra Jadeja: 3/45 & 40*
Mohammed Siraj: 2/36
Travis Head: 54 (89 balls, 7 fours)
Day 3: India Consolidate with a Commanding Lead
India began their second innings with a significant lead, but Pat Cummins’ fiery spell in the first hour brought early trouble for the hosts. Rohit Sharma fell cheaply, followed by Jaiswal, as India stumbled to 34/2. However, the middle-order duo of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli rose to the occasion.
Gill played an exquisite knock, using his footwork against spin and punishing the pacers when they pitched short. Kohli, meanwhile, anchored the innings with his trademark discipline. The pair added 120 runs for the third wicket before Gill was bowled by Lyon for a sublime 81.
Kohli remained unyielding, scoring his 29th Test hundred in commanding style. His innings of 117 off 221 balls, laced with 14 boundaries, was the backbone of India’s second innings. Useful cameos from Suryakumar Yadav (36) and Axar Patel (29*) allowed India to declare at 298/8, setting Australia a daunting target of 450 runs.
Top Performers (Day 3):
Virat Kohli: 117 (221 balls, 14 fours)
Shubman Gill: 81 (145 balls, 10 fours)
Pat Cummins: 4/76
Day 4: Australia’s Fightback and India’s Triumph
With a mammoth target of 450 ahead, Australia’s openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja began with a positive approach, adding 72 runs for the first wicket. However, once Ashwin removed Warner for 41, the floodgates opened.
Labuschagne and Smith were once again dismissed cheaply by Jadeja, who bowled with impeccable accuracy. At 120/4, Travis Head and Alex Carey staged a brief recovery. Head’s aggressive 78, coupled with Carey’s gritty 45, gave Australia a glimmer of hope, but the Indian bowlers proved relentless.
Mohammed Shami returned to clean up the lower order, while Ashwin claimed his 5th wicket of the innings by dismissing Starc. Australia was eventually bowled out for 252, handing India a commanding victory by 197 runs.
Key Moments of the Match
1. Virat Kohli’s Masterclass: Kohli’s hundred in the second innings was pivotal in sealing India’s dominance.
2. Ravindra Jadeja’s All-Round Show: Jadeja’s contributions with both bat and ball proved decisive.
3. Ashwin’s 5-Wicket Haul: Ashwin’s spin mastery dismantled Australia’s batting lineup on Day 4.
Top Performers (Match):
Virat Kohli: 68 & 117
Ravindra Jadeja: 3/45 & 40*, 2/57
Ravichandran Ashwin: 5/72
Conclusion
India’s comprehensive victory showcased their batting depth, bowling prowess, and mental toughness. With standout performances from senior players like Kohli, Ashwin, and Jadeja, India have not only seized the lead in the series but also put pressure on Australia ahead of the final Test.
The fourth Test now promises to be an exciting battle as Australia fights to level the series while India eyes another series triumph on home soil. The Rajkot crowd, electrified by the performance, will remember this match as another chapter in India’s dominance at home.