India vs Australia Live Score, 3rd Test, Day 2: Openers bring up 50, India solid in reply
India vs Australia 3rd Test Day 2 live score: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have gotten off to a promising start to bring up India’s 50 on Day 2 of the SCG Test. Ravindra Jadeja finished with 4/62 and affected the run out of Steve Smith as Australia were all out for 338 in their first innings.
Why this partnership is precious for India?
The last time an Indian opening pair put on a century partnership in Tests was 10 years ago, when Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir put on 137 in December of 2010. It’s also the first time India’s openers have lasted 20 overs outside Asia.
11:10 hrs ISTFifty up fro India, Gill and Rohit looking solid
The kind of start India have desperately been yearning for since so long. Rohit and Gill, in their first time batting together, have done a remarkable job in brining up the 50-partnership for the first wicket. India needed this if they had a chance of matching Australia’s first-innings total.
11:04 hrs ISTRohit vs Lyon: The battle to watch out for
Rohit has a penchant for going after the spinner and not letting them settle in. He’s done it once to Lyon, in the previous over but can he do it against a quality bowler as him? This promises to be a mouth-watering contest between the two.
11:00 hrs ISTHow easy does Rohit Sharma make them look?
11:00 hrs ISTInternational six No.424 for Rohit Sharma!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2021
Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/xdDaedY10F pic.twitter.com/nypB41kYvB
Lyon to Rohit: FOUR
And now he plays the paddle and sweeps the ball fine for a boundary. David Warner, with his not so 100 percent hamstring struggles to get to it. India moving along nicely here, reach 46/0 in 16 overs.
10:56 hrs ISTLyon to Rohit: SIX
After defending the first few balls, Rohit Sharma goes down the wicket and lofts Nathan Lyon over long on for his and India’s first six of the innings. Enough of seeing them off. Gets nicely to the pitch of the ball and despite not hammering it, the timing is good enough to help take the ball over. That’s almost an ODI special from Rohit.
10:52 hrs ISTNicely fielded at gully
Length ball outside off and as Gill tries to poke at it, he gets a leading edge and the ball goes to the fielder at gully where the fielder stops it. The next ball moves back in and Gill almost plays on, but uses his feet to stop the ball from rolling on and hitting stumps.
10:50 hrs ISTFirst sign of spin from Australia
It’s time for the GOAT, Nathan Lyon to take over. His Indian counterpart R Ashwin went wicketless in the first session. Can he outdo him? The ‘Bowling Gary’ chants have begun already as Rohit plays him cautiously. Lyon starts off with a maiden.
10:48 hrs ISTFOUR: Cheeky from Gill
The man’s growing in confidence... and how? Against a fast bowler like Pat Cummins, Shubman Gill gives himself a bit of room and guides the ball over short third man. His fourth boundary and the first one for India in the session. India 34/0 after 13 overs.
10:44 ISTMarnus Labuschagne wants to know Shubman Gill’s favourite player?
’Sachin? Do you reckons Virat?’
10:38 hrs ISTMarnus just wants to know who Gill's favourite player is! 😂 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/VvW7MixbQR
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2021
Cummins to Gill: 2 runs
Dabs the ball down as it squeezes through the gab between third slip and gully. Rohit and Gill run two. In case you missed it, this has been India’s best start in the series. In Adelaide, the opening pair put on 0 and 7. Then 0 and 16 in Melbourne. Here, they have reached 28/0 after 11 overs.
10:35 hrs ISTLBW appeal against Rohit
At the time of impact itself, it looked a bit high. Perhaps that’s why when umpire Wilson turned it down, Hazlewood and Paine looked at each other and decided it wasn’t worth a review. A maiden to kick things off in the final session.
10:30 hrs ISTAnd we’re set, Day 2 final session coming up
The surface looks still pretty good to bat on and the way Rohit and Gill batted in that little passage of play before it, India looked pretty comfortable. 36 overs remain in an extended session, to make up for the time lost yesterday due to rain. India should fancy their chances and just bat on.
10:24 hrs ISTRicky Ponting on Steve Smith
‘There’d been questions asked... ‘Were we worried about the slump that (Smith’s) in? Absolutely not. You never got worried about class players because you know a big innings is just around the corner,’ Ponting to Channel 7.
10:18 hrs ISTIs Ravindra Jadeja the best fielder in the world?
Check out his bullet direct hit that saw the back of Steve Smith
10:12 hrs ISTSmith's awesome innings ends after an incredible throw from Jadeja! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/XtIHFCaBUH
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2021
End of session, India 26/0 at tea on Day 2 of SCG Test
That should do it. The final over before tea is a maiden but India wouldn’t mind given they did not lose a wicket. It’s been another brilliant session for India, first picking up the five Australian wickets and then scoring five boundaries in the extended afternoon session. 36 overs left in the day but the way they’ve started, things look bright for India.
10:06 hrs ISTHuge appeal from Paine
As the ball went past Rohit Sharma’s bat and landed into Tim Paine’s gloves, he went up in a huge appeal with absolutely no support from neither the slip fielder nor the bowler Hazlewood. Doesn’t take the DRS either. Daylight between bat and ball there.
10:04 hrs ISTLabuschagne saves a certain four
Overpitched from Cummins and Gill seemed to have connected the ball well but Marnus Labuschagne dives to his left a little wide of mid-off to save what looked like a sure-shot boundary.
10:00 hrs ISTBowling change for Australia
Pat Cummins replaces Mitchell Starc after just three overs. India have begun their innings positively, scoring at over 4 runs an over at this stage. The pitch is at a stage where it’s the most ideal for batting and Indian openers look set to make the most of it.
9:56 hrs ISTHazlewood to Rohit: FOUR
Rohit brings out the pull shot, such a delight to watch. Short ball from Hazlewood but the India opener got in positions quickly and hammered it for a boundary. Second boundary for Rohit as India reach 26/0 after 6 overs.
9:50 hrs ISTStarc to Gill: FOUR, DOT, FOUR
Brilliant from young Gill. Slightly outside off but Gill adjusted so well that he has ample time to carve the ball through the gap on the offside to score his second four. Two balls later, Starc bowls short and Gill brings out the pull shot for another four. What more, it’s no-ball too.
9:44 hrs ISTHazlewood to Rohit: FOUR
Crunched! Back of a length ball from Hazlewood and Rohit Sharma connects it brilliantly for his first boundary. Good, positive early signs from India. Rohit turns the ball on the leg side to complete a couple more.
9:42 hrs ISTFinal over before tea coming up
So three overs were all that were in store for India before they head back for the tea break. And Mitchell Starc will bowl it to Shubman Gill. That will be the first aim for India, to go into the interval without a wicket down and come back for the final session with all wickets intact.
9:40 hrs ISTAh, the never-ending home and away comparisons
Do you think Rohit can improve on his away Test average?
9:38 hrs ISTThere's a big difference between Rohit Sharma at home and away #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ijUdC0MAyD
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 8, 2021
New ball is nipping
The First ball from Josh Hazlewood nips back in and raps Rohit on the pads. There may not be much bounce on this surface but Australia’s quicks surely know what works. Hazlewood begins with a maiden.
9:34 hrs ISTStarc to Gill: FOUR
India up and away as Shubman Gill gets himself an early boundary by driving Mitchell Starc down the ground. Picture perfect from the batsman. Fuller in length and Gill leans into it. Beats the diving fielder at mid-on. India 5/0 after the first over.
9:30 hrs ISTNew year, new opening pair for India
India kick off 2021 with a brand new opening pair in Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Starc to Rohit for the first ball. Drifts it down Rohit’s legs and the batsman flicks for a single. India away and off the mark.
9:26 hrs IST12 minutes to tea
The Indian batsmen will have to face about 4 overs before the tea interval is called for. Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill will have to see through this opening burst from Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. India innings coming up shortly.
9:20 hrs ISTAustralia all out for 338
OUT! A direct hit from... none other than Ravindra Jadeja... runs Steve Smith out. With three balls left in the over, Smith decided to run two but Jadeja came storming in from right of square leg and nailed the direct hit. The best fielder in the world. Period. He went for a second run With that, the Australian innings comes to an end.
9:16 hrs ISTBumrah to Smith: FOUR
A swat, nothing more. Not sure if you’ll find a shot like that in the coaching manual but it’s effective none the less. Smith continues to frustrate India with his brilliant thinking and extraordinary striking skills.
9:12 hrs ISTA thing of beauty
How good was that from Smith? He marches on
9:08 hrs ISTQuick thinking!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2021
Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/xdDaedY10F pic.twitter.com/hNYaXsLYxQ
Smith accelerates
With the last pair in, Smith has switched gears and rightly so. Plays a stunning ramp shot for a four off Bumrah and drills the ball down the ground and runs three. India have bowled splendidly to claim seven wickets in the day but have had no answers to tackle Smith. Australia 326/6, fancying 350.
9:02 hrs ISTWICKET! Jadeja gets his fourth
OUT! Fourth wicket for Jadeja as Nathan Lyon is out LBW for a duck, misses a full toss on his boots. Australia 315/9.
8:58 hrs ISTJadeja to Smith: FOUR
An examplary sweep shot from Smith. Perhaps he realises that he will shortly run out of partners with India running through Australia’s tail. His 14th boundary of the innings.
8:56 hrs ISTWicket for Navdeep Saini
OUT! Saini gets his man as Mitchell Starc top edges to Shubman Gill. Australia 310/8. He kept peppering Starc with short balls and this one finally does it for the debutant. A crucial partnership worth 32 runs comes to an end, and so does a handy cameo of 24 off 30 balls from Starc.
8:54 hrs ISTSaini to Starc: SIX
Short in length and absolutely pummelled by Mitchell Starc. Gives a little stare back at the bowler but Saini looks away. That’s his 42nd six in Test cricket. Pretty impressive for a No. 9 batsman. Tries to go big again the next ball, but the top edge beats the mid on fielder running back.
8:52 hrs ISTNo-ball: Head high full-toss from Saini
Thankfully, it was bowled wide and not aimed at Starc. Saini Immediately apologises after erring but Starc is not amused. Umpire Wilson is quick to signal the no-ball.
8:50 hrs IST300 up for Australia
Smith takes a single off Jadeja’s first ball to bring up the 300 for Australia. Every run over 300 will sting India, and moreover, with Starc having got a start, Australia look set to cross the mark.
8:48 hrs ISTSaini to Starc: Four
Short ball from Saini and Starc pulls it away fine of the fine leg fielder for his second four. This is poor from Saini, struggling to find his length. Also bowls a no-ball. Follows it up with another short ball which Starc misses going for another hoick. India need to stop the Australian tail from wagging.
8:44 hrs ISTAs Smith celebrates his century, here’s a look at his maiden Test fifty more 10 years ago
8:38 hrs IST#FlashbackFriday 😁 #AUSvIND https://t.co/e3PDRXYCSC
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2021
27th Test ton for Steve Smithm eighth against India.
There it is. A 27th Test century for Steve Smith. Raises his bat in sheer delight and joy. He’ll remember this. Australia 291/7. It’s his eighth Test ton against India. Flicks a ball from Saini to deep fine leg and he runs three. He gets there off 201 balls, one of his slowish centuries but he wouldn’t mind. No one will. What a modern great this man is.
8:32 hrs ISTSaini to Starc: FOUR
Forget farming the strike if he can hit them like that. Fuller ball from Saini and Starc takes the aerial route. Bludgeons the ball over mid on. Two bounces and over the ropes she goes. Also, takes the single and brings Smith on strike.
8:26 hrs ISTStarc cops a blow to his glove
A quick one from Navdeep Saini pins Mitchell Starc on his glove. Thankfully, no damage done. Smith has been stranded for 99 for a couple of overs now and although Starc took a single to give Smith strike, it was off the last ball of the over which Smith defended.
8:21 hrs ISTOUT! Jadeja with this third wicket
Steve Smith’s century will have to wait. Ravindra Jadeja yorks Pat Cummins to take out Australia’s seventh wicket. After a harsh no-ball call off the previous ball, Jadeja bowls a perfect yorker and Cummins plays all over it. Australia 7 down for 278.
8:18 hrs ISTSmith nearing his century
A couple down to deep point takes Steve Smith on 97, just one strike away from a fine, fine century. Following scores of 1, 1*, 0 and 8, what a comeback it will be. Not to say, it’s not already.
8:12 hrs ISTBumrah to Cummins: FOUR BYES
A good, well-directed bouncer from Bumrah but just too high. So much that even a leaping Rishabh Pant can’t get his hands to it and the ball races away to the ropes. Australia 273/6
8:08 hrs ISTSaini replaces Siraj
Saini given a shot at the second new ball but he is greeted with a boundary from Smith, who now enters the 90s is some style. He is quickly approaching towards his century.
8:04 hrs ISTBumrah to Smith: FOUR
Wow, simply wow! Steve Smith, when on a roll is next to no one. Not a bad ball from Bumrah but in such fine form is Smith that he stands tall on his toes and punches the ball through covers for a four. Incredible.
7:58 hrs ISTBOWLED HIM! Bumrah it is again
What a cracker of a ball. Knocks over Tim Paine and Jasprit Bumrah is on a roll. His second strike, with the second new ball. Australia are 6 down for 255 and India continue to soar on day 2 of the SCG Test.
7:50 hrs IST250 up for Australia
An inside edge off Smith’s bat goes to backward square leg and he and Paine complete a couple of runs to bring up the 250 for Australia. Little excitement off the last ball as Paine offers no shot and the ball hits him high on the pad. Possibly a little too high and India decide against the review.
7:48 hrs ISTConsecutive maidens from India
15 balls and Australia are yet to score a run in the second session. Siraj’s maiden followed by a maiden from Bumrah. Tim Paine and Steve Smith cautious against the second new ball.
7:44 hrs ISTMaiden from Siraj
A tight over from Mohammed Siraj to begin the second session, bowls a maiden to Steve Smith. A little inside edge onto the pads from Smith in that over but no harm done. Siraj is operating with two slips and a gully.
7:40 hrs ISTHere we go! Second session, Day 2 underway
Jasprit Bumrah finishes his over.
7:36 hrs ISTThe second session is underway ... how will this question be answered 🤔 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/CmWzWhoDZm
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 8, 2021
Second session coming up
7:30 hrs ISTPlay will resume at 1:07pm local, or approximately 9 minutes from now #AUSvIND
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2021
Did you know?
Only one fast bowler has dismissed Adam Gilchrist out bowled in a Test match. And that honour belongs to Irfan Pathan. Yes, it’s that 2004 Sydney dismissal we are talking about when a young 19-year-old quick produced a brilliant show of reverse swing bowling, getting the wickets of Gilchrist and Steve Waugh (playing his final Test).
7:24 hrs ISTAdvantage India
Remember, they are without three of their most experienced fast bowlers!
7:18 hrs ISTMan. Three wickets in first session for India is an incredible result for the bowling unit on a very good SCG wicket. Game on. @7Cricket #AUSvIND
— Trent Copeland (@copes9) January 8, 2021
What do you make of that session?
It could have been a shared session had it not been for that wicket of Cameron Green right at the very end. But Bumrah’s first wicket of the match has titled the balance in India’s favour. After just one wicket in the previous two sessions combined, getting three in one, that too in the morning session of a new day will inject a lot of positives in the Indian attack.
7:12 hrs ISTCriticism for Wade
Mark Waugh on the Matthew Wade dismissal: It’s a poor dismissal. It’s a Test match, you don’t need to do that. If the ball isn’t there (to hit) you need to pull out of the shot. It was a nothing shot, you’ve got to do better than that. That’s a really poor dismissal.
7:06 hrs ISTBrendon Julian has some good news about the Sydney weather
Brendon Julian suggests there is no more rain in the day. He also says he was surprised not to see Ravindra Jadeja bowl more on Day 1 given the two wickets he’s grabbed. According to him, Australia would be disappointed but feels 350 could be a good enough first-innings score. If India can keep Australia under that score, they should be more than happy.
7:02 hrs ISTLunch on Day 2, Australia 249/5
And with that, the two teams take lunch on the second day. One more over left to go after this but with Bumrah getting his first wicket, the time seemed apt to head into the interval. None the less, India would head into the break knowing the session has belonged to them. Three wickets in a session, India will be happy with that.
7:00 hrs ISTOUT! Bumrah strikes with second new ball
Right on the stroke of lunch, India strike again. Jasprit Bumrah raps Cameron Green on the pads and he is stone dead. Australia lose their fifth wicket for 249.
6:56 hrs ISTBumrah to Green: Beats him
Lovely delivery from Bumrah. Aces the perfect length, forces Green to err in his shot and the ball misses the outside edge of his stump marginally. He’s into his 20th over and given 37 runs. Follows it with a bouncer.
6:54 hrs ISTSmith flicks, gets a couple of runs
Siraj has looked a lot flatter as compared to Bumrah even with the second new ball. The speed is lingering in the early 130s and no signs of movement. Smith flicks him towards fine leg as he and Green run two. Lunch approaching.
6:50 hrs ISTPulls away, but only a single
The bat meting the ball made a crunching sound as Smith tries to pull Bumrah, but the timing isn’t quite there and it’ll only be a single. Smith a little quiet against the second new ball and rightly so. Even appreciates the good balls with his facial expressions. Australia 247/4 after 83 overs.
6:48 hrs ISTJust Steve Smith things
If he ain’t leaving the ball like this, is he even Steve Smith?
6:44 hrs IST😳 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/EDjUphKair
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2021
Siraj to Green: WIDE
Well, that’s how things have changed. Earlier, a ball bowled outside the white line in Test matches would have been a dot ball but the umpires have become slightly stricter with as far as the lines are concerned. Siraj to share the new ball with Bumrah but to be honest, Saini here wouldn’t have been a bad option here. Just to add a bit of a surprise element.
6:40 hrs ISTIndia take the second new ball
80 overs bowled and India have taken the second new ball. Jasprit Bumrah returns and immediately gets some movement as Smith lets the first two go to the keeper. Key moment for India, need to strike with the new ball at least once shortly.
6:34 hrs ISTToo wide form Jadeja and Smith pounces
Short and wide from Jadeja twice in the over and Smith is in too good a touch to miss out. Crunches the ball through point on both occasions to help himself to a couple of boundaries in that over. He marches on, goes to 72 off 139 balls. Australia 244/4.
6:30 hrs ISTOUT! Jadeja sends back Wade
Well, what do you know? Jadeja has done it again for India. Matthew Wade with his uncertain footwork perishes to spin again. Pretty similar to his dismissal to Ashwin in the second Test. Comes down the wicket but doesn’t get to the pitch of the ball correctly. Chips it in the air and Bumrah takes a regulation catch at mid-on. Australia 232/4
6:24 hrs ISTFOUR more to Smith
Ah, simply brilliant from one of the modern masters. On the pads and Steve Smith brings out the sweep shot and gets himself a boundary. One sweep shot too many you’d assume. Definitely not something Vihari would want though.
6:22 hrs ISTVihari in the firing line again
Twice in the over has Vihari taken a blow at forward short leg. Another sweep shot from Wade and this time the ball hits him around the arm. Thank god for the protective gear. It takes a real brave man to field at that position. 75 overs have been bowled, after which Australia are 222/3.
6:20 hrs ISTJadeja to Wade: FOUR
And now Matthew Wade jumps in the action. Terrific drive. The ball was tossed up from Jadeja and Wade simply crunches it through covers. The pitch is getting even better to bat on.
6:18 hrs ISTThat must have hurt
A sweep shot from Matthew Wade hits Hanuma Vihari at forward short leg. Gets his on the calf and it looks to be a stinging blow. He is receiving some treatment. The magic spray is out there. Powerful sweep shot and even though Vihari tried to take evasive action, he copped a blow.
6:14 hrs ISTJadeja to Smith: Four
Ah, crisp. Lovely timing there from Steve Smith. Gives himself a bit of room and drives through covers, beats the fielder there and gets himself a four. A boundary to end the over as Australia get to 217/3.
6:10 hrs ISTThat should be the last of the rain we see in the Test match
Glenn McGrath points out that there should be no rain intervals in the match going forward, but you never know with this Australian weather. None the less, the players are back on the ground and hopefully the next time they go off the field is during the lunch interval. Smith takes strike to Jadeja.
6:05 hrs ISTRestart in approximately another 5 minutes
As expected, this was just another passing shower and we’re set for play to resume shortly.
5:55 hrs ISTRestart in six minutes.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2021
Great. @FoxCricket, @7Cricket and @kayosports is where you can catch it #AUSvIND https://t.co/u3F3hAuwHS
Rain gets lighter
Looks like the rain has got lighter. This happened quicker than what we expected but the groundstaff still have all the covers on at the centre of the wicket. We wait for some official word now.
5:48 hrs ISTRain stops play again
This is really frustrating now. Just when India had their tails up with an important wicket of Labuschagne, rain returns again to force the players off the field. This time, it’s just a bit heavier. Australia are at 213 for 3 after 72 overs.
5:45 hrs ISTFIFTY for Steve Smith
FOUR! Powerfully struck down the ground by Steve Smith. There’s no stopping that one, it races away to the boundary to bring up yet another Test fifty for Steve Smith. You can’t keep a player like Smith down for too long, this has been an innings of authority.
5:41 hrs ISTJadeja gets Labuschagne for 91
OUT! That came completely against run of play. India have got their first breakthrough of Day 2 and it’s Jadeja who has broken the century stand. It was bit too close to play the cut shot this time, the ball perhaps bounced a bit too, Labuschagne got an outside edge and Rahane at first slip took a sharp catch. He was looking set for hundred there but has to go for 91 now. Australia 206 for 3
5:39 hrs ISTLabuschagne into the 90s
FOUR! Short and wide from Jadeja again, Labuschagne goes back and cuts it easily through the vacant field for a boundary. That brings the 100 stand for Labuschagne and Smith.
5:34 hrs IST200 up for Australia
A nice flick from Steve Smith off Jadeja, he will come back for a couple as the square-leg fielder will cut that one off. 200 up for Australia, they are looking set for a big big total now.
5:31 hrs ISTAshwin bowls first over
Steve Smith makes not attempts to hide his intentions against Ashwin. He has a simple plan and that is to attack India’s premiere off-spinner. He came down the track, went back, did not get a boundary but got three runs and showed a lot of intent in Ashwin’s first over of Day 2. Australia 196/2
5:27 hrs ISTShot from Labuschagne
FOUR! A short and wide delivery from Jadeja, just the kind of ball a batsman expects after a rain interruption and Labuschagne takes full advantage of it by rocking back quickly and cutting it past point and into the fence.
5:23 hrs ISTNo rain, covers off
That’s great to see. So the covers are being taken off. Looks like we will have play soon, shouldn’t be a delay of more than five minutes from now. But we won’t jump the gun, especially after the masterful hide and seek the rain played with us yesterday.
5:22 hrs ISTThe groundsmen have been superb
5:17 hrs ISTGo boys, go! These SCG groundsmen have been earning their money so far this Test! 😅 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/9ysJpb7del
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2021
Players going off
Rain stops play! The players are going off. The drizzle is still not that heavy but it has been going on for the past 10 minutes so the umpires decided not to take a rise. This really shouldn’t be a long delay, unless the rain Gods have something more in store for us. Australia are at 188 for 2 after 66 overs.
5:15 hrs ISTLight drizzle in Sydney
There is a light drizzle at the SCG now. Let’s hope it doesn’t become heavier and forces the players to go off the field. There is forecast of rain today mind you.
5:13 hrs ISTSiraj to Labuschagne: FOUR
On the pads again, Labuschagne manages to find the gap despite there being four fielder on the leg side and it races away for a boundary in the square-leg region. This stump to stump line with a dominant leg side field is not really working for India.
5:10 hrs ISTJadeja bowls a maiden
Perfect lengths, perfect lines and it finished before you even noticed - just the kind of over you would expect from Jadeja, a maiden from the left-arm spinner. Australia are 183 for 2 now, Smith and Labuschagne looking solid.
5:04 hrs ISTIndia lose a review
Wickets missing. The height was always going to be a factor when it hit Steve Smith on the thigh. India lose a review. Ajinkya Rahane seemed very interested from behind the stumps and he went for the review. Smith went across his stumps but missed it. It hit him on the thighs.
5:00 hrs ISTFirst sign of sight and It’s Jadeja
Right just at the stroke of half an hour on Day 2 we see spin and it is Ravindra Jadeja and not Ravichandran Ashwin. Well, that’s a bit of a surprise, considering he was the last to get the ball in hand on Day 1.
4:56 hrs ISTGood work by Rahane
India have been sharp in the field today and skipper Ajinkya Rahane leading the way. It was a shortish delivery from Siraj, Labuschagne tapped it well but Rahane at fourth slip dived to his right to stop the ball.
4:50 hrs ISTSmith, Labuschagne chipping away
You can’t help but notice the change of approach in Australia’s batting. We have had five overs of play on Day 2, and on every over Smith and Labuschagne have tried to score. Even in the previous maiden over of Bumrah, there was constant effort form Smith to get off strike, chip a single here or a couple there. Perhaps it has got a lot do with India’s leg-side line too.
4:42 hrs ISTIndia vs Australia live score Day 2, 3rd Test
Lot of talk about India’s plans and field setting already. Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar is not happy with India’s tactics of bowling at the stumps with a dominant leg side field to both Smith and Labuschagne at the start of a new day. Well, to be fair to India, they have been maintaining the same plan against these throughout the series but one perhaps expects them to try and find the outside edge more on a new day.
Meanwhile, Siraj’s second over of the day yields three runs. Australia 175/2
4:38 hrs ISTBumrah comes back well
Just the kind of come back you would expect from a bowler like Bumrah. After conceding a four and a single to Smith, Bumrah bowls three good deliveries to Labuschagne and even beat him on the outside edge.
4:35 hrs ISTSmith greets Bumrah with a cover drive
FOUR! a gentle loosener from Jasprit Bumrah to start his Day 2 but no such warm-ups from Steve Smith. He gets a confident stride forward and drives it through the covers to collect the first boundary of today. Australia 172/2
4:33 hrs ISTFirst runs of Day 2
...And it comes of Steve Smith’s bat, well gloves to be precise. Siraj just drifted down the leg side but the ball bounced a bit more than what Smith had expected, he did well to get his bottom hand off the handle. It took the gloves and went of the keeper for a single.
4:30 hrs ISTSiraj starts the proceedings
Mohammed Siraj has the ball in hand for India. He will be up against Steve Smith. We are all set for Day 2 of the third Test at the SCG.
4:28 hrs IST‘Introduce Bumrah-Ashwin early’
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar ‘loves’ Ashwin with the ball and he hopes that India stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane will start with Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin on Day 2.
4:24 hrs ISTA sneak-peek into Day 2 pitch
Here’s the pitch looks like for the India vs Australia third Test Day 2
4:21 hrs ISTPlay to begin 30 minutes earlier today, at 10:00am local time.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2021
We will start at 10:00am for each of the remaining days due to yesterday’s lost time #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/PWUMXGQ1Nz
India vs Australia live score: Weather updates of Sydney
It will be cloudy throughout the day with spells of showers. Hmm, that’s what the weather forecast says for Day 2 of the third Test in Sydney. But so far so good, we’ve got the sun out for now, there will be no delay at the start and let’s hope it stays that way because if it does, the weather is expected to improve drastically from Day 3, Day 4 and so on.
4:15 hrs ISTRecap of Day 1
There was a lot of rain on Day 1 after India’s Mohammed Siraj had removed David Warner early to dent Australia’s decision of opting to bat first. After a four hour delay when play resumed, Australia’s debutant opener Will Pucovski got a couple of lives and got to his first Test fifty before being trapped in front by India’s debutant Navdeep Saini. Since then Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne looked solid and took Australia to stumps at 166 for 2 on Day 1.
4:10 hrs ISTIndia vs Australia 3rd Test Day 2 live score
Thanks to all the rain on Day 1, we will start Day 2 half an early to make up for the overs. So it will be 4:30 am IST start today. But hey, we are not complaining at all. It means another half and hour of quality Test cricket. Hello all, this the live coverage of the India vs Australia third Test Day 2 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
