Live Updates: Ashwin strikes at stroke of tea, Finch walks back to the dressing room as the Indian players follow. Finch goes for 11 as Pant takes a smart bat-pad catch off Ashwin’s bowling. One down as Australia need another 295 runs to win this game. India finished on 307, taking their lead to 323 runs. ((Full Scorecard)).
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Ashwin strikes at the stroke of tea
Ashwin strikes at stroke of tea, Finch walks back to the dressing room as the Indian players follow. Finch goes for 11 as Pant takes a smart bat-pad catch off Ashwin’s bowling. One down as Australia need another 295 runs to win this game. India finished on 307, taking their lead to 323 runs. Australia would have loved to walk into the tea break without losing a wicket.
Finch and Harris looking good
With the Indian bowlers failing to pick early wickets here, the Australian batsmen have started to gain in confidence here and Finch is looking sure about where his off-stump is. Harris has also started to play a few shots here and looking to not get into a rut here. Nine overs have been bowled and India need a wicket here if they are to stay ahead in the game.
Kohli turns to Ashwin
With the opening bowlers failing to pick a wicket in the first seven overs, Kohli now goes to his trusted spinner Ashwin. It will be important to see how he bowls after Lyon picked six wickets in the Indian second innings. India need early wickets here if they are to stay in the game as drop-in pitches make it slightly easier for batsmen even in the fourth essay.
Aussie openers look to start well
With a no-ball handing Finch an early reprieve, the Australian openers are now looking to stay cautious and not taking any undue risk. They realise that the new ball will help the Indian bowlers and it is just a matter of keeping silent till the red cherry loses its shine. Kohli will want his bowlers to strike early and make the chase all the more difficult for the hosts.
Ishant and Bumrah looking for wickets
Ishant and Bumrah are sharing the new ball for India and both are looking to bowl an aggressive line here. They know the need to strike early and put the Australian batsmen under pressure as the hosts chase 323 to win the opening Test of the four-match series. A lot of chattering happening here in the slip cordon as the Indians realise the need to keep up the pressure.
No-ball saves Finch
Ishant starts really well and it could have once again been a case of Ishant getting Finch in the first over of the innings, but the no-ball saves him here. Even in the first innings, the line was almost crossed when Ishant castled Finch. The Australians need a bit of luck here if they are to chase this one down.
India finish on 307
Ishant is the last man gone as Starc finishes things for Australia. India finish on 307, taking the lead to 322 runs. Rahane and Pujara shine as the two score 70 and 71 respectively.Lyon was the pick of the bowlers for Australia with six wickets. Australia need 323 runs to win.
Ishant and Bumrah look to stand ground
Unlike the indiscipline shown by Shami, Ishant and Bumrah are looking to stand ground for as long as they can as there is no need to hurry or throw the wicket away. These days any score is chaseable and the bowlers know the need to add every single run to the scoreboard as the lead now reads 322 runs.
Shami goes for a duck
Lyon picks his sixth as Shami looks to go big over deep mid-wicket. Another show of lack of application here from Shami as he looks to slog the very first ball into cow-corner. This will not go down well with the likes of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri as he does know how to bat. The score reads 303/9.
Lyon gets Rahane
Lyon has struck again and this is his fifth and the all-important wicket of Rahane. The India Test deputy goes trying to reverse sweep the spinner. Clearly the batsman was looking to get a move as he goes for 70 with the score reading 303/8 as the lead reads 318.
Starc gets Ashwin
A very poor shot here from Ashwin. Did not really go for the hook, was a half attempt of sorts off Starc as Ashwin goes for 5 and India lose another wicket as they look to score some quick runs here. The lead is healthy at 318 with the score reading 303/7. The hosts need 3 more wickets here.
Rahane looks to up the ante
The Indian lead has crossed the 300-run mark and even as it looks like the team management is looking at what would be the perfect score to declare on, Rahane is looking to get to his century. He is still quite some distance away, but he is looking to show intent here.
Lyon gets Rishabh
He was looking to play a cameo here and Pant’s knock comes to an end as he tries to hit one shot too many. Lyon gets his man and that is a big wicket considering how the India wicket-keeper was looking to hit everything out of the ground. The score reads 282/6 as Pant goes for 28.
Pant starts second session with boundaries
Rishabh Pant comes dancing down the track to hits Nathan Lyon for back to back boundaries to start the proceedings in the second session of the day. Then, he hits the ball straight down the ground for the third four of the over. The last ball went over square leg fielder’s head for a huge six. In total, 18 runs came from that over.
Second session plan for India
Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant will look to score runs quickly post-lunch in order to extend their lead past a point of no return for Australia and give their bowlers ample time to dismiss the hosts in their second innings. With runs on the board, the Indian batsmen will look to play positive cricket against down on confidence Aussie bowlers.
Lunch!
The first session belonged to India as they have taken their lead to 275 runs. Pujara and Rahane completed their respective half-centuries in the innings. Lyon was the pick of the bowlers for Australia as he scalped the wickets of Pujara and Rohit in quick succession.
Great shot from Pant
Pant takes the attack to Lyon again and this time the ball goes for a boundary down the ground. This is how he plays and the team management backs him to play his game. The southpaw will look to add runs quickly to the Indian total and he has started in a good, aggressive fashion.
Pant joins Rahane in the middle
Rishabh Pant makes his intentions clear by hitting hi down the ground on the first ball that he faces today. The message seems to be clear that India want to score runs quickly. With Rahane settled at one end, Pant can play his game on the other.
Rohit Sharma falls
India have lost their fifth wicket of the innings as Nathan Lyon removes Rohit Sharma. Rohit edges the ball into the hands of Handscomb at silly point. Third wicket of the innings for Lyon.
Fifty for Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane brings up his half-century will a glorious short for a boundary off Hazlewood. This is Rahane fourth half-century in 2018 and he will look to continue from here on.
Stage set for Rohit to score quickly
With no pressure on India, Rohit Sharma could score freely and take India to a big target. He looked good in the first innings but got himself dismissed of a nothing shot and will look to make amends in the second essay.
Pujara finally departs
Nathan Lyon gives Australia something to cheer in the first session as he gets rid of Cheteshwar Pujara for 71. It was another gem of a knock from the middle-order maetro but Lyon had the last laugh. Despite this wicket, India will feel they are firmly on top in the match.
Reward for Nathan Lyon and Pujara’s terrific knock comes to an end.
Live coverage here: https://t.co/lTUqyqRMzW #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/f9OjOGEQfU
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)December 9, 2018
Issue with Pujara
Pujara was scene holding his hamstring in the last over and he seems to be in some kind of discomfort. To be fair to Pujara, he batted for a long time in the first innings and now he is doing the same in the second. Not to forget he was out in the middle fielding as well.
Australia bowlers seem to be down and out
The hosts lack inspiration at the moment and Rahane and Pujara are having no problems in scoring runs. They are milking singles and doubles for fun with an occasional boundary as well.
Aussies leaking runs
Starc is not able to find his rhythm yet as he bowls another wide delivery which goes for four byes down the leg side. Then, be bowls short and Pujara cuts the ball over the point fielder for a boundary. India are motoring along nicely at the moment.
Four and four
New ball has been taken but no joy for Auustralia. Rahane seems to be returning to best as he plays the perfect straight drive off the bowling of Starc to score his fourth boundary of the innings. Then, Starc bowls a wide delivery which went down the leg side for four byes. The hosts need some kind of inspiration from somewhere to lift themselves from this gloom.
Pujara on song
Pat Cummins bowls short to Pujara and the right hander simply cuts the ball past the wicket-keeper for a boundary. Eight boundary of the innings for Pujara as he moves into the 60s.
Good over from Lyon
Lyon concedes just two runs from his over but India won’t mind that as Pujara and Rahane are playing really well at the moment. So far, the first session as entirely belonged to the visitors.
Partnership
50-run partnership is up between Pujara and Rahane and India’s lead keeps on going up. Also, India have crossed the 200-run mark in their second innings.
India’s lead cross 200
Rahane hits a glorious boundary towards deep mid wicket of Lyon and with that India’s lead has gone past the 200-run mark. The visitors are in a good position on the match and firmly on top.
DRS saves Rahane
Lyon thought he picked his second wicket of the innings when the ball seemingly took an edge of his bat and was caught by the fielder a forwards short leg. Rahane asked for the DRS straightaway and replays showed that there was no contact with his bat or gloves.
Australia need wickets soon
As things stand, India are in full control of the match and Australia need to take wickets to trouble the visitors. Pujara and Rahane have been scoring runs easily and they aren’t under any pressure whatsoever.
Bowling change
Pat Cummins has been introduced into the attack for the first time today as Australia look to break this partnership between Pujara and Rahane. The duo have already added 26 runs today as India’s lead keep on increasing.
Rahane-Lyon duel lighting up first session
Rahane is constantly trying to unsettle Lyon by coming down the track to him. But the wily Aussie spinner is changing the length of the deliveries to keep Rahane guessing. This duel is simply outstanding to watch.
Half-century for Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara completes his half-century and with that, he becomes only the third Indian ever to slam a century and half-century in a Test in Australia. One of the best Indian performances Down Under from Pujara.
Bowling change
Aussie skipper Tim Paine has introduced Nathan Lyon into the attack as pacer Starc and Hazlewood failed to leave a mark in the opening few overs. Lyon will come in handy on this slow wicket.
Edge but safe
Rahane survives a close call as he almost got himself dismissed off the bowling of Starc. The left-arm pacer dropped the ball short and Rahane went for the pull shot but he was way early. The ball hit the toe end of the bat and landed just in front of Marcus Harris at mid-on.
Four and four
Glorious shot from Pujara off Hazlewood as India score their first runs of the day. Pujara plays the perfect cover drive to get a boundary. And then, Hazlewood produces an edge of his bat but the ball goes past gully fielder for a boundary. Pujara is edging close to a well-deserved half-century.
Maiden over to start proceedings
Mitchell Starc bowls a maiden over to Ajinkya Rahane to set the ball rolling on the fourth day. As things stand, Indian batsmen will feel they don’t need to take any unnecessary risks in the first session. Josh Hazlewood will now bowl the second over of the day.
First session begins
Mitchell Starc has the new ball in his hands as he will bowl the first over of the day. Ajinkya Rahane is on strike while Cheteshwar Pujara is at the non-striker’s end. The sun is shining and it is going to be a cracking contest on the penultimate day of the Test.
Extended day’s play today
The play will begin at 5:00 am today owing to the lost overs yesterday due to rain. India will look to put as many runs as possible on the board with seven wickets left. While as for the hosts, they need early wickets.
The magnificent Adelaide Oval scoreboard tells the story heading into day four #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/4h6zwtpWhc
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)December 8, 2018
Pitch report
Here is how the pitch is looking like early on in the day. The rough marks will certainly aid the spinners and Lyon and Ashwin will have a big role to play for their respective teams.
The Adelaide pitch after three days #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/R6ehQA6N9Z
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)December 8, 2018
Bumrah backs Ashwin in fourth innings
“Ashwin will obviously play a more crucial role now because with the rough, we saw Nathan Lyon using the rough to his advantage. He is an experienced bowler and knows what he has to do. So he will probably work on it and he will play a crucial role for sure.”
Yet another milestone for Kohli
Virat Kohli was fuming to have his innings cut short but still managed to join an elite club of Indians who have notched 1,000 test runs in Australia. Sachin Tendulkar (1,809) leads the list ahead of VVS Laxman (1,236), Rahul Dravid (1,166), Virender Sehwag (1,031) and Kohli.
India look to extend lead
Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli thwarted Australia in a diligent partnership to push India to a position of strength and a 166-run lead at the close of day three. Australia will nonetheless be desperate for early wickets on day four to have hope of restricting India to a gettable total.
Hello and welcome
A very warm welcome to the live blog of the fourth day of the first Test between India and Australia in Adelaide. India have taken a good lead in the second innings but with seven wickets left in their kitty, they will look to extend that today.
Source: HindustanTimes