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Patna : India were 96/2 at stumps on Day 2 in their first innings in 3rd test against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia, on January 8, 2021, with captain Ajinkya ahane unbeaten on 5 in 40 balls and Cheteshwar Pujara batting on 9 in 53 balls. Replying to Australia’s first innings total of 336 runs, India started well with openers Rohita Sharma ( vice-captain) and Shubman Gill adding 70 runs for the first wicket. Rohit Sharma fell to Josh Hazlewood for 26 in 77 balls with 3 fours and a six and it was 70/1.
The six Rohit hit off spinner Nathan Lyon in the 16th over was a treat to watch. He also hit Lyon for a four in the same over. Subman Gill fell to Pat Cummins for 50 in 101 balls with 8 fours, his maiden test fifty, and it was 85/1.
Earlier, resuming at their overnight score of 166/2, Australia were all out for 338 in 105.4 overs with Steven Smith scoring 131 in 226 balls with 16 fours, his 27th century, while Marnus Labuschagne scored 91 in 196 balls with 11 fours. Smith and Labuschagne added 100 runs for the 3rd wicket. Labuschagne fell to spinner Ravindra Jadeja for 91. Smith was run out by a direct hit from all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Smith was last Australian batsman to get out. Fast bowler Mitchell Starc scored 24 in 30 balls with 2 fours and a six. Captain Tim Paine fell to Jasprit Bumrah for 1. Cameron Green fell to Bumrah for zero.
For India Ravindra Jadeja took 4/62 in 18 overs, his best figure in Australiua in tests, while Bumrah took 2/66 in 25.4 overs, and debutant fast bowler Navdeep Saaini took 2/65 in 13 overs. Mohd Siraj took 1/67 in 25 overs.