Ravindra Jadeja. Pic/ AFP
Indian bowlers led by umesh Yadav put on a great bowling performance as vistors Australia struggle to reach 92 runs for the loss of 3 wickets at tea on Day 3 of the fourth test at Dharamsala
Umesh Yadav took 2 wickets for 22 runs.
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja showcases great batting as he scored his seventh Test fifty as hosts post a total of 332 against Australia on Day 3 of the fourth test at Dharamsala.
Jadeja scored 63 runs in just 95 balls and hit 4 sixes and 4 fours. Australian spinner Nathan Lyon picked up 5 wickets for 92 runs.
The seventh wicket partnership of 96 runs in 30 overs with Wriddhiman Saha (31) could well prove to be the turning point on this Dharamsala track, where three Indian spinners will be in operation in the third innings of the match.
For Australia, Nathan Lyon (5/98) had a five-wicket haul. Saha, on his part again showed steely temperament despite another testing morning spell by Patrick Cummins (3/94) and Josh Hazlewood (1/51).
Jadeja was adjudged caught behind off the very first ball of the third morning bowled by Cummins but he promptly used DRS to get a favourable decision after the TV replays confirmed that there was no edge.
He also got stuck by a snorter from Cummins that hit him on the helmet but the feisty cricketer didn’t show any discomfort. His best shot off the morning was a picture perfect straight drive off Cummins that raced through grass blades.
The moment, Lyon flighted one, he jumped out to loft him effortlessly over long-off for his third six. He also had a streaky boundary off Lyon past the slip cordon. While Saha dabbed around for singles and occasional doubles, Jadeja took risks at will.
A quick single brought up his 50 and there was customary sword wielding celebration from the man. In fact, Jadeja joined Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Murali Vijay among others, who have surpassed 50 six times in the current season. He also became the second Indian cricketer after Kapil Dev to achieve the double of 500 runs and 50 wickets in the season.
He was not afraid of the short pitched stuff bowled by Cummins as he pulled him to deep mid-wicket for a boundary and then for good measure hooked him behind square for his fourth six.
Cummins had the last laugh when he played on trying to smash a fullish delivery. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s (0) nightmare of a Test match continued as Steve O’Keefe got his first victim of the match.
With inputs from PTI
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