Australia tightens grip over India on day 3 of fourth Test

Australia took control of the fourth test against India on day three, with two key wickets in the morning session leaving India in trouble at 244-7. 

By lunch, India was still 230 runs behind Australia’s first-innings total, struggling to close the gap.

Starting the day at 164-5, India needed Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant to counterattack and build a partnership. 

Pant played a lively knock, scoring 28 runs, but his risky approach backfired. He attempted a scoop shot off Scott Boland (3-37), only to top-edge the ball and get caught at the boundary, leaving India at 191-6.

Jadeja, who managed 17 runs, was dismissed by spinner Nathan Lyon, trapped leg-before-wicket, bringing India down to 221-7 just 30 minutes before the lunch break.

Nitish Kumar Reddy provided some resistance, staying unbeaten on 40, hitting three boundaries and one six. 

Washington Sundar, at the other end, was not out on 5 as India tried to rebuild their innings.

Australia, on the other hand, had posted a solid 474 on the board after being bowled out on day two. 

Their total was powered by Steve Smith’s 34th test century, a brilliant 140 that placed him among the top test cricketers with the seventh most hundreds.

Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler for India, taking 4 wickets for 99 runs, adding to his impressive series tally of 25 wickets at an average of 13.12.

India had reached a promising 153-2 on Friday before suffering a sudden collapse, losing three wickets for just six runs. 

Opener Yashavi Jaiswal’s composed 82 and Virat Kohli’s steady 36 had given India some hope with a 102-run partnership. 

However, things fell apart when Jaiswal set off for a risky single, only to realize that Kohli had stayed back, leaving both players stranded at the non-striker’s end.

Scott Boland capitalized on this moment of confusion, dismissing Kohli caught behind shortly after, followed by the wicket of Akash Deep for a duck, caught at leg gully. 

This late surge from Australia saw them dominate the final 25 minutes of day two.

Kohli, who has had a challenging test match, also found himself in a physical altercation with Australia’s 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas. 

After shoulder contact between the two, match referee Andy Pycroft fined Kohli 20% of his match fee for "inappropriate physical contact."

To add to his woes, Kohli was met with boos from the crowd as he left the field on Friday. 

At one point, he even stopped to turn back and confront a fan, staring them down before finally walking off.

With the series tied at 1-1 following a rain-affected draw in Brisbane, the final test will take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting on January 3.

Australia remains in a commanding position in this fourth test as India looks to avoid defeat.