At the start of third day, India was optimistic of repeating what Australia did to them in the morning session of the second day. Things, however, didn’t go as per India’s likings as they ended the first session on a back-foot, courtesy Steve Smith and Mitchell Johnson.
Although, India started the day on a right note and managed to pick a couple of quick wickets but that was it for the touring party, as a brutal attack from Johnson and yet another hundred from skipper Smith dashed their hopes of taking a big first innings lead.
Australia are 351 for six at lunch on Day 3, with Johnson (53-ball 67) and Smith (155-ball 110) are at the crease. The session completely belonged to the hosts, despite losing two wickets in the first hour of play as Johnson and Smith stitched an unbeaten 104-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Johnson, in particular, hammered the Indian attack all over the park and batted like a top-order batsman. He completed his tenth half-century in Tests and more importantly ensured Australia hold an upper-hand heading into the lunch.
Earlier in the day, Ishant Sharma drew first blood when he castled Mitchell Marsh for 11. Few overs later Varun Aaron gave another dent to Australians by sending Brad Haddin (6) back to the pavilion, but after that it was all Australia as now they are trailing by just 57 runs.
