Three wickets gone just like that and India are in control of the Ranchi Test!
The Indian Cricket Team celebrates the fall of an Australian wicket (Photo: AFP)
India wrested the initiative from Australia in the opening session of the 3rd Test of the India vs Australia Series being played at Ranchi, restricting the visitors to a total of 109/3 at Lunch.
David Warner (19) and Matt Renshaw (44) had looked to get Australia off to a good start after captain Steve Smith had won the toss and elected to bat. Initially the openers looked in good nick but after Ravindra Jadeja was introduced into the attack by Virat Kohli, something was bound to happen.
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And Warner got himself caught and bowled by the off spinner, slicing a full toss back at the Indian, who took the catch quite easily and India had their breakthrough.
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Steve Smith was next on the crease and with Renshaw put together some runs on the board, but even as the young opener neared the half-century milestone, Umesh Yadav struck.
The pacer had been excellent all morning with scant reward but his persistence paid off when Renshaw edged a beautiful delivery to Kohli at slips. The 20-year-old Renshaw’s wicket was a massive one, especially considering the great form he has been in.
While Smith looked well set, newcomer Shaun Marsh (2) didn't and went back to the pavilion after a DRS review by the Indians turned out to be successful, adjudging him to have glanced the ball onto his pads before settling in Cheteshwar Pujara’s hands. Ravichandran Aswhin, quiet till now, had appealed loudly hearing two sounds but with the umpire not interested, Kohli signalled for a review and their instincts turned out to be spot on.
Smith (34*) is at the crease with Peter Handscomb (6*) and the Australians are facing an uphill battle after just one session to win this Test and take the lead in the series which is currently tied at 1-1.
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