A historic win for India as they cruise home by eight wickets. A proper team effort this spearheaded by skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who has led with gusto and bravado. Massive props to both debutants Siraj and Gill. Siraj looked like he belonged and Gill, during his brief stays in both innings, gave ample evidence of why he is being touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket. Remember, they were shot out for 36, their lowest Test total, in Adelaide but have bounced back while missing the services of regular skipper Kohli, Shami and Umesh. Kudos to Team India. Plenty of work to be done for Australia before the New Year's Test. We still don't know where it will be - Sydney or Melbourne - but we will know for sure soon. That would be all from our side. Thanks for joining us.
INDIA VS AUSTRALIA SECOND TEST - SCORECARD
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India 57/2 after 13 Overs: Gill is showing off his repertoire of shots - targets Hazlewood with a majestic pull shot for four. India are cruising at the moment.
India 42/2 after 10 Overs: Shubman Gill is in a hurry. He has raced to 25 off 22 deliveries which includes yet another boundary off Pat Cummins. Rahane meanwhile has rotated the strike well. Good, positive cricket overall from India.
India 33/2 after 7 Overs: Starc and Cummins have caused early damage with the new ball. Meanwhile Rahane got off the mark with a pull shot for four. Gill, at the other end, continues to impress with a glorious cut shot off Starc. India need 37 more to win.
India 15/0 after 4 Overs : Gill is looking in imperious touch already. He welcomed Pat Cummins into the attack with a dismissive cover drive before unfurling a beautiful straight drive off Mitchell Starc. This is already a good start for India.
India 2/0 after 1 Over: Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill strut out to the middle. Starc to take the new ball. Agarwal to take strike. Starc on the money straightaway - bounce and shape back into Agarwal, safely negotiated. A short leg in place. Mayank gets off the mark with a single. Gill opens his account with a single too.
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LUNCH
GONE! Hazlewood shoulders arms and the ball crashes into the stumps. Ashwin gets the final breakthrough. India need 70 to win and level the series. Ashwin and Bumrah picked two each while Siraj stood out with three wickets. A brilliant performance from India on a rather placid day three and four track.
Australia 196/9 after 100 Overs: Bumrah and Siraj continue their search for the last wicket. First session has been extended by 30 minutes. Australia lead by 65 runs. All three wickets this morning have come off short balls.
Australia 190/9 after 97 Overs : Siraj has been brilliant with the ball. Three for 36 so far. Hazlewood and Starc are at the crease. The lead is 59. Rahane has turned to Bumrah.
GONE! Wicket No. 3 for Siraj as Lyon is adjudged caught behind trying to go for the pull.
Australia 181/8 after 94 Overs : Ashwin and Siraj have kept the lid o the scoring. A couple of wickets to go for Australia. The lead is now 50. 15 minutes to go for lunch. Will Bumrah be back for a short burst?
Australia 177/8 after 91 Overs:GONE ! Heartbreak for Green. He was looking good but hits this one straight to Jadeja at mid-wicket. He falls for 45 off 146. Big break for Siraj. India move a step closer to that 1-1 scoreline. Nathan Lyon joins Starc.
Australia 171/7 after 88 Overs : Cameron Green starting to play his shots, crunches a cut behind square on the off-side off Bumrah for four. Australia also earned 4legbyes earlier in that over . Handy runs these for the host. Starc, at the other end, happy to dead bat everything for the time being. Australia lead by 40 runs.
Australia 160/7 after 85 Overs: Starc is a good striker of the ball. He likes to go after the spinners. So, India have long-on, long-off back and mid-wicket back. They also have two men at catching positions. The message is clear: tempt Starc to hit the long ball.
Australia 154/6 after 82 Overs : Bumrah takes the new ball straightaway. Just two slips and a gully. Not overly aggressive tactics from India yet. There's a little bit of swing. Australia ticking along, no urgency to go for the big shots. Will be interesting to see the strategy of these two batsmen against the new ball. The scoring rate has been very slow. Ashwin is sharing the new ball with Bumrah. Green got the first boundary of the morning courtesy a short and wide delivery from Ashwin. The lead is now 24.
SECOND NEW BALL TAKEN
Australia 148/6 after 79 Overs: Its been a very watchful start from the Australians. Just getting themselves in you'd imagine. The next challenge will be to see off the new ball. Jadeja has been brought into the attack. He replaces Siraj; keeping both pacers fresh for the new ball. It will be available after 1 over.
Australia 144/6 after 76 Overs : Ashwin has got a leg-gully after a thick inside edge off Cummins went through that vacant region in the previous over. While the Indians haven't allowed easy runs to these two, Cummins and Green have safely negotiated the first half-hour. There was also a lbw decision against Cummins off Ashwin's bowling that Rahane reviewed but the replays showed the ball sailing over the stumps.
Australia 141/6 after 73 Overs: The new ball will be available after seven overs. Cummins and Green have had to contend with singles for the time being. Meanwhile, Bumrah has been taken off. He has been replaced by Md. Siraj, who is getting the old ball to reverse back in. So, just a couple of overs for Bumrah. Keeping him fresh for the new ball. The lead is 10.
Australia 137/6 after 70 Overs : Ashwin and Bumrah bowling in tandem. Two catching men on the leg-side for Bumrah while it's a little less aggressive field for Ashwin. There's not much turn or bounce on offer for the off-spinner, so he will have to work hard for his wickets today. The defence of both these batsmen has been absolutely spot on so far.
Australia 136/6 after 67 Overs: Indian team walking out. Bumrah to start proceedings. Green will take strike. One slip and a gully in place. Green's off with a quick single before stealing a second courtesy an overthrow at the bowler's end. Green has looked resolute in defence.
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Big day coming up. Can Australia pull off a miracle or will India steamroll Australia to make it 1-1? The conditions have eased out but there is still something in this wicket for the bowlers if they stick to the right lines and lengths. We are all set for action to resume.
Day 3 Recap
68 runs came in the final session on Day 3 for the loss of four wickets. Australia are effectively 2 for 6. Cam Green and Pat Cummins stalled India's charge with a gritty partnership late on the third day. That said, India's still in control and will hope to wipe out the tail as quickly as possible. Here's how Day 3 unfolded -
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HIGHLIGHTS - AUS vs IND, 3rd TEST, DAY TWO
TOSS : Australia had won the toss and elected to bat first.
STAT ALERT
This is the 100th Test between Australia and India. Australia have won 43 and India 28. There has been just one tie and 27 draws. England is the only other team that has played more than 100 or more Tests against India.
Boxing Day Tests between India and Australia in Melbourne
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