India Beat Australia by 137 Runs in the Third Test Match

India took Australia’s last two wickets on day 5^th of the third test match after the start was delayed due to rain of the third test to complete a 2-1 series lead into the Sydney finale by making an emphatic 137-run win. India, was restricted to win on day four by bowlers i.e., Pat Cummins, tail enders and waited for nearly two and a half hours for the play to continue due to rain on day 5 of third test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but it was not unfortunate for India as when the weather cleared the bowlers did a wonderful job by wrapping up the Australian innings to just 261 in 22 minutes and 27 balls.

On the 5^th day, in his second over, the lead Indian Bowler, Jasprit Bumrah had Cummins wicket when he edged the ball to Cheteshwar Pujara at slip, who took a sharp, low catch to remove the tail ender for a high scoring performance of 63, his career best. Soon after, Ishant Sharma took the wicket and sealed the outcome of the match when he had the wicket of Nathan Lyon who edged the ball behind to the wicketkeeper, Rishabh Pant for just seven runs while in his attempt to slog the ball. The wicket made fans joyful and gave them the reason to celebrate. Indian team dominated with the batting and their balling in first innings in the one-sided Boxing Day clash, as the Indian cricketers will now move to the Sydney Cricket Ground with an expectation that they can now become the first ever Indian team to win a test series in Australia. This win will help them to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as contested between the two nations after India claimed last year series by 2-1 at their home ground. After the match the skipper, Virat Kohli said “We’re not going to stop now, this thing has given us more confidence to go out in Sydney and play even more positive cricket”. As on the 5^th day Australian team resumed on 258 for eight which was 141 runs to get victory, Australia team was hoping for the rain to delay the match and finish with a draw but the fortune was in India’s favour. There was a knock of ton by Pujara in the first innings which made India come on the driving seat and end the match in their favour.

By: Anuja Arora

Content: http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25623079/cheteshwar-pujara-confident-india-enough-runs-board-win