Aus vs Ind, 2nd Test, day 3 as it happened: India on top as Australia finish on 133/6 at stumps
Updates from day three of the second Test between Australia and India.

Terrific bowling performance yet again. India hold all the aces. Have to play diabolically poorly for Australia to escape defeat
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 28, 2020
Partnerships for 7th wicket onwards:
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 28, 2020
Australia 1st innings: 40 runs
India 1st innings: 32 runs
Australia 2nd innings: 34 runs and counting.
Watch this space. #AUSvIND
Aus 133/6 after 64 overs: Stumps on Day 3. Australia have somehow got through the day. Green (17) and Cummins (15) in the middle. As usual, India’s bowlers were brilliant. In the final session of the day: 38 overs, 68 runs, 4 wickets. A fitting end to a day India has dominated.
Aus 127/6 after 64 overs: Just a few more minutes left till close of play. Australia may survive the day but India are firmly in command.
Rishabh Pant has now dropped 11 catches in Test cricket - since the start of 2018, no keeper has dropped more. #AUSvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) December 28, 2020
Aus 126/6 after 62 overs: Cummins and Green keeping Australia alive for the moment but Pant did drop Cummins off Ashwin. Australia trail by 5 runs now.
Aus 110/6 after 54 overs: Last 10 overs, 12 runs, 2 wickets. That is the kind of pressure India have been putting on Australia. How they would have loved to have Gilchrist here... to come out and hit a few quick runs...
India's quicks have found less swing, less seam, and been slower, than their Australia counterparts in this Test - yet have averaged almost exactly half. The key point? India have built pressure, pitching 48% of balls on good line + length, compared to Australia's 36%. #AUSvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) December 28, 2020
Once upon a time, at a far off place called Leeds, a team was seven down in their second innings, and still 92 behind. They won.
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) December 28, 2020
26% of Ravindra Jadeja's deliveries in this Test would have hit or clipped the stumps. That's higher than both Ashwin (20%) and Lyon (12%). #AUSvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) December 28, 2020
Aus 102/6 after 49 overs: Green can bat (he has a first-class average of 51) but he doesn’t have much experience at this level. Big challenge for him. Cummins joins him in the middle now.
The only thing that Rahane hasn’t done right in this Test is not calling it right at the toss.....and that too turns out to be a blessing in disguise. Bowling changes ✔️
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 28, 2020
Field placements ✔️
DRS referrals ✔️
Batting ✔️#AusvInd
If Hotspot had feelings, it must feel pretty useless right now.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 28, 2020
Aus 99/6 after 47.4 overs: WICKET! Nothing on the hot spot but a spike on snicko and Paine is walking back. Jadeja strikes again, Pant takes the catch. Wow. Paine c Pant b Jadeja 1(9)
Test series between Australia and India where India have won the series having lost the first Test:
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) December 28, 2020
2000-01 (in India)
2016-17 (in India)
Aus 98/5 after 46.1 overs: WICKET! Siraj comes in and gets a wicket right away. Head edges that to the second slip. Nothing shot really. Change of pace worked. Good move by Rahane again. Head c Agarwal b Siraj 17(46)
40 off 137 balls.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 28, 2020
Did not expect Matthew Wade to outbat Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne combined at any point of this series.
Aus 98/4 after 44 overs: WICKET! Wade (40 off 137) trapped LBW by Jadeja. He took the review but that was gone. A bit quicker in the air from Jadeja too. Big wicket this. Australia trail by 33 runs. Wade lbw b Jadeja 40(137)
Head’s primed for a bowled-caught behind dismissal vs Jadeja. Going too deep too soon. #AusvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 28, 2020
Matthew Wade has countered Ashwin with crisp footwork, and a clear willingness to get forward. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/8neXA2m2p6
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) December 28, 2020
Aus 95/3 after 42 overs: Very tight bowling by India. Head has looked to score but there have not been many opportunities.
Update: Umesh Yadav has a calf niggle. He is being taken for scans.
It’s been a season of second innings for Travis Head. Two 150+ scores and a lot of grit in match-saving performances for the @WestEndRedbacks in the #SheffieldShield. He’ll need all of it and some more here #AusvIND
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 28, 2020
Aus 94/3 after 40 overs: Just a change of ends for Ashwin. Spin from both ends now but two very different bowlers. They will attack in different ways too.
Aus 89/3 after 38 overs: Jadeja into the attack now. Replacing Ashwin or just a change of ends?
Aus 86/3 after 37 overs: Bumrah continues. India know that another wicket could really have Australia in big trouble. One can feel the tension.
Bumrah and Ashwin are two of India's greatest cricketers. And yet this is just the 8th Test they have played together. Today is perhaps the best they have bowled in tandem. So good to watch such quality from both ends. One teasing. The other zipping through. Pressure unrelenting
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) December 28, 2020
Aus 81/3 after 35 overs: Wade took a hit on the helmet from a Bumrah bouncer. That is the thing about his bouncer – he doesn’t just throw it up there, he is looking to force a mistake. A short break as Wade changed the helmet and the next ball was another bouncer. Riveting stuff.
Thank God you can't review bowled dismissals, otherwise Smith would be not out on umpires call! 😄 #INDvAUS #AUSvsIND
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 28, 2020
Went for a little walk at tea. Overheard a father and son chatting. Father said, "Geez it's nervy watching Smithy bat." Certainly wouldn't have heard that in the past several. summers. And here we are. #AUSvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) December 28, 2020
Aus 78/3 after 34 overs: This is an Indian attack without Ishant, Shami and now, Umesh. Just goes to prove the quality of this Indian bowling attack. If the batting produces the goods more often (when away from home), they could really dominate world cricket. Ashwin and Bumrah are giving the batsmen no room to breathe.
Only for the second time in his career Steve Smith has been *dismissed for single figures three consecutive times.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 28, 2020
(*Adelaide second innings he was unbeaten)
This could be the match from Bumrah. Whoever thought Smith would have a lean run!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 28, 2020
Aus 71/3 after 32.2 overs: WICKET! Smith gone early again. The bail on the leg-stump has been disturbed. Incredible. Bumrah gets it right. They took a review to check and confirm the dismissal. Brilliant execution of plans, they have clearly identified a problem. If he doesn’t have a problem outside the off-stump, let’s target his leg-stump.
Aus 71/2 after 32 overs: Misfield off the last ball by Agarwal lifts the pressure a bit. Ashwin continues to impress. He is giving little away.
Aus 67/2 after 30 overs: Ashwin really getting the ball to talk here. There is so much to Ashwin’s bowling that you won’t see in the highlights package – changes of pace, the angles, the variations, the setup. He got one to beat Wade completely. It beat Pant too. Brilliant exhibition of off-spin bowling.
Players are back on the field. Vital session coming up!
Aus 65/2 after 28 overs: And that is tea. 28 overs, 65 runs, 2 wickets in the session. India doing well to get two wickets but Australia have moved the match along. Session shared? It just feels like that. Steve Smith still in the middle, looking nervous but still there.
Aus 64/2 after 27 overs: Three short balls to start the over and then Bumrah pitched it up. Wade (27 off 84) was ready and hit it to the long-on boundary.
#AUSvIND #INDvAUS
— The Field (@thefield_in) December 28, 2020
Some needle in the competition today… Pant vs Wade edition
Video: Cricket Australia
pic.twitter.com/LOoISaYWN5
Aus 60/2 after 25 overs: Bumrah back into the attack. Just around 10-15 mins to go for the tea break. Not letting Smith settle. Good move by Rahane.
Aus 58/2 after 24 overs: Smith batting nervously against Ashwin. They both understand what this match-up means for this game.
Aus 56/2 after 23 overs: Siraj doing enough in the middle. Good pace, gets the odd ball to do something, wants to review everything.
Siraj’a approach to taking the reviews pic.twitter.com/U66kzQGmWE
— Tareque Laskar (@tarequelaskar) December 28, 2020
Aus 51/2 after 21 overs: Australia go past 50. The pitch doesn’t have much for the pacers now but Ashwin and Jadeja should be up for the challenge.
Aus 44/2 after 19 overs: India waste a review. Siraj cajoled Rahane into taking the review but that pitches way outside the leg-stump. Wade still in the middle. Meanwhile, Smith vs Ashwin – that just might be the match there.
The reason players opt for a review is because they’re unhappy with the decision taken by the on-field umpire.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 28, 2020
The DRS system needs to be thoroughly looked into by the @ICC, especially for the ‘Umpires Call’.#AUSvIND
Well bowled, Ashwin. Now...the third chapter of Smith v Ashwin battle 😇🥳 #AusvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 28, 2020
Aus 42/2 after 17.5 overs: WICKET!! What a ball by Ashwin, who was bowling from round the wicket! Labuschagne had no answer to this. It went straight on, took the edge and through to Rahane. Labuschagne c Rahane b Ashwin 28(49)
#AusvInd
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) December 28, 2020
The umpire's call system is not working. People have been saying it for so long, doesn't the ICC get it? In tennis, once they review, they don't consider that the line judge said... that is the whole point. In cricket, though, let's respect the umpires. Why?
Aus 34/1 after 15 overs: Labuschagne survives a review. Umpire’s call again. So close. So very close. Siraj followed it up with a bouncer that got a top edge. India just haven’t had much luck with the umpire’s call.

Aus 33/1 after 14 overs: A three for Labuschagne and Australia trail by 98 runs now.
🏟️ The MCG
— ICC (@ICC) December 28, 2020
What a sight!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/BWvFmLsvrh
Aus 28/1 after 13 overs: Short drinks break but Labuschagne (19 off 32) is looking good. He is rotating the strike well and has kept the scoreboard ticking along. Wade (5 off 36) has been much more subdued.
First slip to a spinner is the best place for a Captain to marshall his troops from. #AUSvsIND
— Jatin Paranjape (@jats72) December 28, 2020
Aus 22/1 after 11 overs: Bumrah continues from the other end. India will need to be careful of workload management as well.
Aus 21/1 after 10 overs: Ashwin coming into the attack. Will be interesting to see how Wade tackles him…
When Mitch Starc gave Ravindra Jadeja a send-off. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Y889fcqNhT
— The Field (@thefield_in) December 28, 2020
Aus 18/1 after 9 overs: India will be a pace bowler short for a bit at least but Bumrah will be key. Ashwin and Jadeja should be able to shoulder the workload but pressure on Siraj too.
Aus 13/1 after 7.3 overs: Umesh limping a little – pulled up after bowling. Not a good sign. He is going off the field. It helps that India are playing five specialist bowlers.
Jasprit Bumrah's control of line is outstanding.
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) December 28, 2020
In Australia, 57% of his deliveries have been in the channel outside off.
That's the highest figure for any seamer in Australia (min 1000 balls) in the last decade of Test cricket.#AUSvIND
Aus 13/1 after 7 overs: Singles, lots of quick singles. Australia are doing this well. The left-right combination will keep disturbing the bowler’s line as well.
I have ranted about this before but here goes again. If umpire gave not out on field, he must communicate whether he thought it was bat first, surely? Why not tell TV umpire 'If no bat, then "Umpire's Call" is out'. Happens far too often. pic.twitter.com/H0NEJj1BvZ
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 28, 2020
Umesh Yadav has bowled so straight in this innings. Not one of his deliveries has been wide outside off - while it's led to singles, only two balls have been left alone. He's making the Australians play while the ball is moving. #AUSvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) December 28, 2020
Aus 10/1 after 6 overs: Umesh continues. He has been much better today than he was in the first innings. More control, better line. There isn’t much in the pitch but enough to keep the bowlers interested.
Aus 8/1 after 5 overs: Another good over by Bumrah but Australia are looking to rotate the strike. We have seen quite a few quick singles already.
74 previous Tests where Aus trailed by 130+ on the first innings, for 49 losses, 16 draws and 9 wins. #AusvInd
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) December 28, 2020
Joe Burns nearly out 3 ways (edge,bowled & lbw) worst of all takes a review with him!
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 28, 2020
Warner has found his slot if fit. #AUSvIND
Aus 4/1 after 3.1 overs: WICKET! Burns is finally walking back now. The review did not help. Hotspot showed he edged it. Umesh Yadav has his first wicket of the game. What a mad, mad stay at the wicket... almost run out, almost LBW and then edges it to the keeper. Burns c Pant b Umesh Yadav 4(10)
That is an unbelievable yorker from Bumrah - that goes unrewarded!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2020
Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/0nwGP4uO49 pic.twitter.com/KHjMB9z4Mq
Aus 1/0 after 2 overs: Burns gets off the mark with a quick single but he could have so easily been out there. What is it with quick singles in Test matches?
Joe is off the pair.... JUST!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2020
Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/0nwGP4uO49 pic.twitter.com/lrNOpNUUMh
Aus 0/0 after 1 over: Bumrah starts off the proceedings with a maiden over. The pitch did look a little flat in the morning and experts reckon this will be the best time to bat but India will want to make some inroads with the new ball.
Bumrah has the new ball. India have a lead of 131 runs. The Australia second innings is all set to begin.
Jasprit Bumrah is ready #AusvIND pic.twitter.com/enAhG7Q0ct
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 28, 2020
Lunch break: The collapse aside, India have never lost two successive Tests in a series when they have taken a first innings lead. Suddenly, the lead of 131 looks very good indeed. But Smith is going to be a big wicket on a pitch that looked like it had started to flatten out a bit.
India's losing last five wickets in Tests in 2020
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) December 28, 2020
Wellington
1st inn: 33/5 (132/5-165)
2nd inn: 43/5 (148/5-191)
Christchurch
1st inn: 45/5 (197/5-242)
2nd inn: 35/5 (89/5-124)
Adelaide
1st inn: 38/5 (206/5-244)
2nd inn: 17/4 (19/5-36)
MCG
1st inn: 32/5 (294/5-326)#AUSvIND
Most wickets at home for Australia in Tests:
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) December 28, 2020
319 : Shane Warne
289 : Glenn McGrath
231 : Dennis Lillee
195 : Nathan Lyon*
193 : Craig McDermott #AUSvIND
Australia’s session, picking up remaining 5 wickets without conceding too many runs. India have a crucial lead though and Australia’s top order has been dodgy so far this series. Exciting, exacting cricket ahead!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 28, 2020
India 326 all out after 115.1 overs: Bumrah goes for the slog sweep and hits it only as far as the fielder in the deep to give Lyon his third wicket. India are bowled out. The lead is 131 runs - a crucial lead, a big lead. And that will be lunch too.
India 325/9 after 114.4 overs: Wicket! Hazlewood got that one to bounce on Ashwin a bit. Lyon, at gully, took a good catch. India’s lead is 130 runs now. Ashwin c Lyon b Hazlewood 14(42)
There are two kinds of bouncers. One, that’s bowled as a formality just to register one for the over. The other is with intent to intimidate, eventually leading to a wicket. Australia bowled the the second kind only today.#AUSvIND
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 28, 2020
India 325/8 after 114 overs: WICKET! Lyon drew Umesh into that defensive stroke with his wide line and then Steve Smith, at first slip, managed to hold on to the catch. Umesh Yadav c Smith b Lyon 9(19)
India 323/7 after 113 overs: Hazlewood into the attack as Starc gets a break. Umesh and Ashwin are doing well to hang in there – they have put on 18 already.
Skippy the Kangaroo is out in the middle atm! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/NQSOMMqwjv
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2020
Fast bowlers have long memories. #AUSvIND
— Jatin Paranjape (@jats72) December 28, 2020
India 318/7 after 111 overs: When Starc is bowling, India’s batsmen are just looking to survive. Quick and short is his mantra at the moment.
India 316/7 after 110 overs: Lyon continuing from the other end. And Umesh is going to use the long handle against him. Australia starting to look nasty now.
India 310/7 after 109 overs: Lots of short balls from Starc at the Indian lower order. A bit of a barrage really.
Ashwin cops a nasty blow from a Starc short ball, but is continuing on 🙏 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ztGHfR8OMe
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 28, 2020
India 307/7 after 108 overs: Australia’s catching showing little sign of improving. They have put down another catch. Quick but Labuschagne, at leg slip, gives Ashwin a life. Lyon the bowler. The fielder instead of staying down was already on his way up and caught on the heels a little.
Australia well and truly went for the short ball barrage against Ravindra Jadeja today, and the Indian eventually fell to it. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/v2c6El0hGu
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) December 28, 2020
India 306/7 after 106.5 overs: The trap was sprung. Starc had been bowling short from round the stumps to Jadeja and there was a fielder in the deep. But Jadeja decided to take him on and ended up hitting the ball straight to the fielder. Strange end to an innings in which he showed so much restraint. Jadeja c Cummins b Starc 57(159)
For India, the lead is now 111 runs. After the first hour on day 3, the visitors are building on their advantage but how crucial will that Rahane runout prove to be?
India 306/6 after 105 overs: Starc finishes a furious over with a ripping bouncer from around the wicket for Jadeja. Deliberations for a caught behind review, Australia decide against it.
India 303/6 after 104 overs: 300 comes up for India, as Jadeja goes for a big shot through midwicket off Lyon.
STAT: The most improved aspect about Ravindra Jadeja’s batting in Tests: in the 72 innings he has batted, he has faced more than 100 deliveries 8 times including this one. Seven of those occasions have come since September 2018.
Most balls faced by R Jadeja in Tests
Runs | BF | SR | Pos | Dismissal | Inns | Opposition | Ground | Start Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
90 | 170 | 52.94 | 8 | caught | 2 | v England | Mohali | 26 Nov 2016 |
86* | 156 | 55.12 | 8 | not out | 2 | v England | The Oval | 7 Sep 2018 |
51* | 144 | 35.41 | 7 | not out | 2 | v Australia | Melbourne | 26 Dec 2020 |
100* | 132 | 75.75 | 7 | not out | 1 | v West Indies | Rajkot | 4 Oct 2018 |
51 | 119 | 42.85 | 6 | caught | 1 | v South Africa | Ranchi | 19 Oct 2019 |
81 | 114 | 71.05 | 8 | bowled | 1 | v Australia | Sydney | 3 Jan 2019 |
58 | 112 | 51.78 | 8 | caught | 1 | v West Indies | North Sound | 22 Aug 2019 |
91 | 104 | 87.50 | 6 | caught | 1 | v South Africa | Pune | 10 Oct 2019 |
5️⃣0️⃣
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 28, 2020
An excellent half-century from @imjadeja, his 15th in Test cricket and he celebrates it in his trademark style. #TeamIndia's lead has now crossed the 100-run mark. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/0KbLuWdI8M
India 298/6 after 102 overs:
Again @ajinkyarahane88 showing leadership begins with actions, his response to his fate was true of a genuine team man! #AUSvIND
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 28, 2020
India 298/6 after 102 overs: There was a time when Ashwin was the better Test match batsman as compared to Jadeja but now things have changed. The left-hander is making the most of his immense talent now.
⚔⚔⚔#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/lhmMdk14mX
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2020
India 294/6 after 101 overs: Jadeja gets to his 15th Test fifty. The celebrations a bit muted. He knows Rahane should have still been there. The wicket will have given Australia a bit of a lift.
When he run Virat out in the first match, Rahane apologized. After today's run out he gave Jadeja a fist pump, as if to say, 'It's OK, it happens. You continue." Such a gentleman. #AUSvIND
— Rahul Fernandes (@newspaperwallah) December 28, 2020
Just when it looked like Australia were down and out, Ajinkya Rahane has been run out with Ravindra Jadeja going for a quick single. The first ever runout dismissal of Rahane's Test career, and the second he has been involved in this series. Gave a pat to Jadeja as he walked off.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 28, 2020
Cos last time an Indian batsman ran out the skipper the rest of the Test went sooooo well for them... 🤣 #AUSvIND
— Oliver Brett (@sport_oliver) December 28, 2020
India 294/6 after 99.5 overs: RUN OUT! And that came out of nowhere. Jadeja wanted a quick single to get to his fifty but Rahane is run out. after a brilliant 112. Absolutely no need to do that. Rahane is run out for the first time in his career.
India 291/5 after 96 overs: Still the same line of attack. A bit too full. The Australian bowlers, from a body language point of view, are looking a little flat. India lead by 97 runs.
India 284/5 after 94 overs: Commentators making an interesting point about how Rahane was almost dismissed by a short ball last night but everything today morning to the right-hander has been full. Poor tactics?
India 279/5 after 93 overs: Cummins starts off from the other end with a maiden over. Jadeja presenting an impressive straight bat to everything.
India 279/5 after 92 overs: Starc starts off the day with a three-run over. India will want to break this down into smaller targets and then go from there again.
04.54 am: India need to put Day 2 out of their minds and take fresh guard again. The Aussies will look to do the same as well. If the catches had been taken by the hosts, the match might have been in a very different position. Both teams will know that and even though India are ahead, there is still a long way to go in the game.
Hello all and welcome to the live coverage of day three of the second Test in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. It has been two days of great Test cricket (especially if you are and Indian fan) at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Can Australia bounce back on day three? How much will the game move forward?
Day 2 recap: Ajinkya Rahane played a captain’s knock with a workmanlike century that steered India into a dominant position and took the sting out of Australia’s potent bowling attack in the second Test on Sunday. Trailing 0-1 in the four-match series, India ended the second day at 277/5 for a handy 82-run lead after bowling out Australia for 195 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
At stumps, which was brought early owing to rain, Rahane was going strong on 104 and giving him company was Ravindra Jadeja on 40, the two having added what might prove to be a game-changing 104-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Stumps, day 2
Batsmen | Runs | Balls | 4s | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mayank Agarwal | lbw Mitchell Starc | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Shubman Gill | c Tim Paine b Pat Cummins | 45 | 65 | 8 |
Cheteshwar Pujara | c Tim Paine b Pat Cummins | 17 | 70 | 1 |
Ajinkya Rahane* | 104 | 200 | 12 | |
Hanuma Vihari | c Steve Smith b Nathan Lyon | 21 | 66 | 2 |
Rishabh Pant | c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc | 29 | 40 | 3 |
Ravindra Jadeja* | 40 | 104 | 1 |