Sydney: India gave a befitting reply to Australia’s huge total of 572 runs as the team safely scored 342/5 at the end of the third day’s play in the final test. At the time of stumps the visitors have already put 342 runs at a loss of 5 wickets. Virat Kohli and Wriddhiman Saha remained unbeaten on day three. Kohli is playing at 140 Not Out while Saha’s score is 14*. The pair has already added 50 runs for the unbeaten sixth wicket partnership to keep India’s successful chase on. India are now just 30 runs short to avoid the follow-on.
Virat Kohli becomes 2nd Indian to score 500 in a Test series in Australia
Virat Kohli scored his fourth ton in the ongoing bi-lateral test series between India and Australia. He is in explosive form and amassed a staggering 639 runs until now to be on the top of the list of India’s highest run scorer in Australian soil at a single series. The dashing batsman broke the record of the legend Rahul Dravid, who smashed 617 runs in the 2003-2004 test series.
The spotlight might have been on Indian test captain on day three, but KL Rahul also played his part excellently at number three. The position associated with the legends like Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid and Brian Lara. At the very second test in his career the Bengaluru batsman scored elegantly to grab the attention of every cricket expert. His inning showed the perfect class and technique necessary to play test cricket.
The 22-year-old played patiently and struck the balls well to reach his century in 253 balls. The spectacular knock consisted of 13 boundaries and a six. There were some concerns when he was in his 90s but the young lad overcame all odds and was successful in scoring his maiden ton.
Rahul was dismissed when India’s score was 250. The 141 run third wicket partnership between Kohli and Rahul was the highlight of the day. On the other hand Kohli was at his best. Unaware of Rahul’s dismissal, his run riot was on. He reached to 90 at a very quick time. Eventually at the 97th over the skipper scored his tenth century in test matches. The dashing batsman took 162 deliveries and 17 fours to reach his hundred.
With this spectacular ton Kohli created a world record and becomes the first test captain to score three consecutive centuries in each of the three innings while leading a team. Earlier Gregg Chappel held this forty year old record as he had scored two consecutive hundred in his first couple of innings as a test captain of Australia in 1975-76 test series.
India’s 100th over was the obnoxious one. Australia picked up two wickets in the same over to put some pressure back on the visitors. Both Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina were dismissed cheaply. However Saha and Kohli played safely and didn’t give any opportunity to the Kangaroo bowlers. They remained unbeaten at stumps.
Tags: 4th Test, Australia, India, KL Rahul, Sydney, Test Match, Virat Kohli
