Watch! Usman Khawaja takes a diving catch to get rid of Shreyas Iyer

Australia took an upper hand of the 3rd test at Indore late on day 2. The Australian bowlers did their best to peg back the Indian team each time they put up a fight and tried to make a comeback. Indian batters were in all sorts of trouble against the wily spin of Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann.

The story so far –

India were 78/4 when Shreyas Iyer joined Pujara in the middle just before tea. The two batters came out with positive intent. Iyer was in good form as he hit 3 fours and 2 sixes in his knock of 26.

Sensing that Iyer was starting to stamp his authority against the spinners, Steve Smith got in Mitchell Starc. The Australian left hander had just bowled 2 overs in the innings before this. In the 2nd ball of his 2nd spell, Starc had Iyer going for a pull and Khawaja dived full length to take a good tumbling catch.

Nathan Lyon was the destroyer in chief as he picked 4 wickets of the first 6 to fall. Lyon first removed the openers Gill for 5 and Rohit for 12. Lyon then came back to remove Jadeja before getting the wicket of KS Bharat for 3.

Matthew Kuhnemann meanwhile got the wicket of Kohli for 13. The former Indian captain continued his bad run of form with the bat as he hasn’t scored a half century for over one year.

Australia take 88 year lead –

Australia began the day at 156/4 with a lead of 47, but they could only add 41 runs before getting all out for 197. Umesh Yadav and Ashwin picked 3 wickets each as Australia lost 6/11 in 34 balls to lose the plot.

Handscomb and Green began well without losing a wicket in the first hour. The entire slide began when Ashwin had Handscomb caught at short leg by Iyer for 19. Umesh Yadav then got the wicket of Green, Starc and Murphy before Ashwin got Carey and Lyon to end the Australian innings.