India were left trailing Australia by 94 runs after they were dismissed for 244 at tea on the third day of the third cricket Test in Sydney yesterday.
Fast bowler Pat Cummins helped Australia do the job with 4 for 29 as the four-match series is currently tied at 1-1.
Three India batsmen were also run out with one of them being Hanuma Vihari to a brilliant piece of play by Josh Hazlewood that helped turn the match.
Hazlewood had Vihari out of his ground by several feet with a direct hit on the stumps.
Hazlewood threw the ball while diving to his right and falling to the ground from mid-off which banged into the stumps side-on, leaving Vihari (4), well out of his ground.
“It was good to get that kind of breakthrough,” Hazlewood said while walking off the ground at lunch.
Australia captain and wicketkeeper Tim Paine was furious after Pujara survived a bat-pad review on 13, with no evidence he’d edged the ball.
With Nathan Lyon searching for his first wicket of the Sydney test, Paine immediately sent the not-out call to the third umpire after Matthew Wade’s catch was turned down.
Legside hotspot replays were blocked by Wade’s body, while the “snicko” which indicates the ball hit the bat, showed very small movement as the ball went past the bat.
Third umpire Bruce Oxenford looked at the offside hotspot and didn’t see a mark as the inside edge of the bat turned, before sticking with the not-out call, prompting a verbal outrage from Paine.
On Friday, Steve Smith’s 131, his first century since the 2019 Ashes and Australia’s first this series, helped lift the hosts to their total.
India spinner Ravi Jadeja took 4-62 and completed a spectacular run out to dismiss Smith and end the innings.
Marnus Labuschagne made 91 off 196 balls for Australia with a century stand with Smith to see Australia past 200 runs for the first time in five innings this series.
Scores:
Australia 338 (Steven Smith 131, R Jadeja 4 for 62) and 103 for 2
India 244 (Pat Cummins 4 for 29)