New Delhi:
Australia started off confidently with Marcus Harris and Usman Khawaja scoring at a good rate. The opening partnership went past fifty but Khawaja fell for 27 when he slogged at a flighted delivery from Kuldeep Yadav. Harris continued to bat aggressively and looked good for his maiden century. However, in the post-lunch session, India fought back with Ravindra Jadeja dismissing Harris for 79. Following his dismissal, the Australian middle order floundered against both the spinners, with Mohammed Shami taking the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne. India chipped away before Peter Handscomb and Pat Cummins steadied the ship. Play ended early due to bad light and rain but India are firmly on top. (SCORECARD)
The rain has arrived at the Sydney Cricket Ground and this might be it for play today.
The Hessian covers are coming on and more covers are coming out. The drizzle has arrived in Sydney. Before the players went off, Kohli had opted for a review against Peter Handscomb off Ravindra Jadeja but the ball was going past the leg stump.
Bad light has stopped play in Sydney. There is a bit of rain in the air as well. With just 90 minutes of play remaining, it might be hard for the players to come back out. Fingers crossed.
So, India have not taken the new ball and are continuing with spin. Maybe, they are planning to get one more wicket before they take the new ball. It has gotten overcast as well in Sydney.
Kuldeep and Jadeja are rushing through their overs. Will India take the second new ball or will Kohli persist with the spinners. At the moment, Cummins and Handscomb are batting comfortably.
WICKET! Immediately, India have success. Kuldeep, what a star! He knew that Paine was troubled by the angle from round the wicket. He bowls a flighted delivery and it breaks back in sharply, Paine goes for the drive and the ball sneaks past the gap between bat and pad to hit the stumps.
That is tea on the third day. India are well on top after they took five wickets in the session. Jadeja was the star while Kuldeep and Shami also chipped in.
WICKET! Finally, the stubborn partnership is broken and Kuldeep Yadav gets the breakthrough. Low full toss and Travis Head hits it straight back to the bowler to depart for 20.
Head and Handscomb are making slow but steady progress. India are striving to get another wicket.
OUT! The trap has worked and it is a great catch by Ajinkya Rahane. Shami bowls a full ball into the pads of Labuschagne, the batsman flicks it to mid wicket where Rahane dives to his right to take a low catch with both hands. Australia are crumbling here.
Marnus Lambuschagne is in confident mood as he ramps a short ball from Mohammed Shami over the slips for a boundary.
OUT! Jadeja gets his second wicket and India are on top. Shaun Marsh's woeful series continues as he edges a flatter delivery to Ajinkya Rahane at slip.
OUT! Harris departs at 79. He fell well short of a hundred. Sir Jadeja provides India the much-needed breakthrough. Tossed up wide outside off, Harris does not move his feet and he attempts the drive but ends up dragging it back on to the stumps.
That is lunch on day 3 of the Sydney Test. India removed Usman Khawaja cheaply but Marcus Harris has played brilliantly and is looking in supreme touch. Can he reach a century or will India deny him his milestone?
Marcus Harris strikes three boundaries off Kuldeep Yadav while Marnus Labuschagne is also tackling the spinners well.
Labuschagne gets going with a boundary off Kuldeep Yadav as he laces the drive to the deep extra cover fence. The scoring rate has been good for Australia and barring the wicket of Khawaja, it has been a solid session for them.
Marcus Harris notches up his second fifty and it has been a very positive knock. Muted celebrations from him as he raises his bat and acknowledges the applause. Marnus Labuschagne, on the other hand, is being troubled by Jasprit Bumrah.
WICKET! Bad shot from Usman Khawaja. Kuldeep Yadav gives this delivery a bit more air and Khawaja dances down the track, however, he gets beaten in the flight and the bat turns in his hand as he attempts the slog, holes out to Pujara at mid wicket.
Harris and Khawaja are not letting Jadeja settle as they continue to find the fence. Harris is nearing a fifty and this will be a fine effort from the youngster.
Both Khawaja and Harris use their feet to get to the pitch of the ball against Ravindra Jadeja as the opening partnership goes past fifty. Kuldeep Yadav is at the other end.
A warm welcome to day 3 of the Sydney Test between India and Australia. After dominating the first two days with the bat, India will be determined to put in a magnificent performance with the ball. However, Marcus Harris and Usman Khawaja have given the hosts a good start and the opening stand is nearing fifty.
