India vs Australia 2023 Highlights, 3rd Test, Day 3: Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne Guide AUS to Nine-wicket Win

The toss didn’t go their way. They were trailing 0-2 in the series. Two of their top players back home due to different reasons. Down and out. Australia were certainly not the favourites in Indore when India captain Rohit Sharma won the coin toss and opted to bat first at the Holkar Stadium a couple of days ago. However, in about six-and-a-half sessions, they engineered a remarkable turnaround, beating India at their own game to seal a memorable nine-wicket win. At the start of Day 3, Australia needed 76 runs to win with all 10 wickets in the bank. Ravichandran Ashwin picked up the wicket of Usman Khawaja with the second delivery of the morning session to raise India’s hopes. A few nervy overs followed. But having settled in, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne then switched gears and began scoring boundaries nearly every over. Head scored 49 not out while Labuschagne made 28 not out as the target was overhauled in just 18.5 overs. Australia certainly will celebrate this victory which would boost their confidence sky-high going into the fourth and final Test that will be played in Ahmedabad. India still lead the series 2-1.

A loud roar from Marnus Labuschagne as he launches one from Ravichandran Ashwin to clear midwicket region for a the winning boundary. Australia overhaul the target of 76 in just 18.5 overs to win the third Test by nine wickets. A massive win for the tourists who have bounced back in style. And they have officially qualified for the final of the ICC World Test Championship.

A pull from Marnus Labuschagne to  square leg region gets him a four. 5 runs from it. Australia need 7 runs to win now.

Last throw of the dice from India. Umesh Yadav introduced into the attack. He was brilliant yesterday but the ball was old then and he generated reverse swing. This one is just 15 overs old. Travis Head threads the gap between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma at covers to score his fifth four of the innings. 5 runs from it. AUS 61/1 in 6 overs, chasing 76.

Some change in momentum this has been. Australia are bossing this chase now. Plenty of boundaries. One each to Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne in the over of Ravichandran Ashwin. Head punched one through covers while Labuschagne used reverse sweep to score his boundary. 11 runs from the over. AUS 56/1 in 15 overs. Time for a drinks break.

Ravindra Jadeja bowls it outside off. Travis Head waits and cuts it away past the short third region for a four. 5 runs from it. AUS 45/1 in 14 overs.

Ravichandran Ashwin goes full and Marnus Labuschagne drives it through covers for a four. 5 runs from it. AUS 40/1 in 13 overs, chasing 76.

There has been a clear change of tactics from Australia since the ball was changed. Ravindra Jadeja continues and Travis Head lifts the first delivery over the bowler’s head for a four. And then Marnus Labuschagne brings out the sweep shot for a four of his own. AUS 35/1 in 12 overs, chasing 76.

India weren’t happy with the ball and got it to be changed. Travis Head clears the front foot and sends the ball racing through the gap on the leg-side for a four. And then follows that with a couple of runs before launching the penultimate delivery over long-on for a six. 13 runs from the over. Australia 26/1 in 11 overs, chasing 76.

So Marnus Labuschagne interrupted Ravichandran Ashwin to before taking his guard. Ashwin was preparing for a two-step run-up to deliver. Labuschagne continued to make him wait. Ashwin wasn’t impressed. Umpire had to step in and he had a word with Labuschagne. Rohit Sharma approached the batter too. All smiles. And then off Ashwin goes to the top of his original run-up. Blockbuster stuff. AUS 13/1 in 9 overs, chasing 76.

An appeal for a catch by India. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer convince Rohit Sharma  after taking a diving catch at leg-slip. The ball spun towards the leg-side after pitching. No spike on ultra-edge, no pad involved either. AUS 11/1 in 8 overs, chasing 76.

Australia are aware how playing out these initial few overs will be the key to how easily they chase down the target. Slowly they will whittle down the requirement. But as of now, it’s not easy. India need wickets and a bunch of them to have any hopes of making a match out of it. Score 10/1 in 6 overs, chasing 76.

The pitch is behaving how it was expected to. Unfortunately, India don’t have enough runs to defend. They have started well by picking up a wicket with the very first delivery but can they sustain it? Every single run scored will put India under more and more pressure. AUS 7/1 in 4 overs, chasing 76.

Left-arm orthodox Ravindra Jadeja joins from the other end. Travis Head gets off the mark with a single and then a rare poor delivery from Jadeja as he drops short allowing Marnus Labuschagne to to cut it through backward point for a four. 5 runs from it. AUS 5/1, chasing 76

WICKET! Oh my! Ravichandran Ashwin has gotten rid of Australia opener Usman Khawaja with the second ball of the day. A full delivery that turned away after pitching as Khawaja prodded forward for a defensive shot. The ball kissed the outside edge before being caught by the wicketkeeper. Khawaja reviewed but ultra-edge showed a spike. What a start to the day. AUS 0/1 in 0.2 over, chasing 76.

Travis Head and Usman Khawaja are out in the middle. Ravichandran Ashwin will open the attack for India who have just 75 to defend. Here we go!

India will be defending 75 runs and should they do that, it will be the lowest ever total defended in Test history. The lowest ever total defended in Test history is 85.

When he walked out to bat at 15/1 in the fifth over, India were left with a mountain to climb. They first had to wipe off the deficit and then put on enough runs on the board to challenge Australia on a wearing fourth-inning track. None happened as the hosts’ batters fell one after the another and none applied themselves like Pujara did. Read More Here.