KL Rahul played a memorable innings © Getty Images
KL Rahul played a memorable innings © Getty Images

Jan 8, 2015

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(Can the Steven Smith-led Australia complete a 3-0 series victory, or can Virat Kohli lead India to a consolation victory in the final Test at Sydney? Catch live cricket scores here)

Virat Kohli and Wriddhiman Saha have held the fort for India as play ends on Day Three, with India reaching 342/5 and still behind in the first innings by 230 runs. Kohli and Saha have added 50 runs for the sixth wicket. This was after Shane Watson claimed two key wickets of Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina in quick succession to leave India reeling. While Rahane was trapped in front of the wickets, Raina chased one way outside the off stump and was caught behind.

Virat Kohli smashed his 10th Test century as India are steady after losing KL Rahul earlier in this session. Kohli completed his fourth Test ton in this series, thus becoming the second Indian after Sunil Gavaskar to achieve the feat. Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane are at the crease and India would be hoping that these two stay around till the end of the session. KL Rahul fell after a fine innings of 110 off 262 balls afte the tea break. He added 141 runs with Virat Kohli for the third wicket as they consolidated India’s position in the Test. Rahul batted extremely well, hitting 11 fours and a six.

KL Rahul completed his maiden Test ton against Australia with a boundary off Mitchell Starc. He faced 253 balls, struck 11 fours and a six to bring up the memorable century. He has also added more than 100 runs with Virat Kohli, as the two consolidated. India are looking lot more comfortable with runs coming in at a brisk rate compared to the morning. Kohli brought up his 11th half-century in the Test format, and Australia take the second new ball.

Brilliant effort by Lokesh Rahul as he has put all the disappointement behind and has notched up his maiden Test half-century. He faced 164 balls in this innings, and hit five fours to score 50 not out as the lunch break beckons. Rohit Sharma completed his second half-century in Test cricket with a boundary off Ryan Harris in the 43rd over of the innings. India have been very, very slow today, scoring only 25 runs in 18 overs so far. The Indian batsman was dismissed by Nathan Lyon on a delivery that turned in sharply and kept low. Rohit faced 133 balls and scored 53 runs with the help of two boundaries and as many sixes.

Ryan Harris started off the proceedings for Australia on Day Three. While the tourists have their backs against the wall trailing by 501 runs, the hosts have a huge task in their hands to get out 19 more Indian batsmen to force a result in this game. Lokesh Rahul and Rohit Sharma showed lot of intent on Day Two, but the third day will be the real test. India made a steady start as they saw off first 45-odd minutes successfully without losing any wicket. Both Rohit and Rahul looked very positive.

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It’s the end of another thrilling day’s play with India doing tad well to get safely at the end of the day’s play without losing any more wickets — or to put it this way — collapsing. Kohli and Saha hold fort for the tourists as they still have a huge amount of work in their plates.

About three more overs left in the day.

While the others continue to struggle to find their feet and places, Virat Kohli continues to create and break records. He has now surpassed Rahul Dravid as the highest run-scorer for India ever in Border-Gavaskar Trophy history. Take a bow, Kohli!

 

Shane Watson has ripped apart the Indian lower-middle order, taking out two wickets in as many balls. Watson trapped Ajinkya Rahane leg-before wicket and then on the next ball he gets Suresh Raina caught by Brad Haddin to leave India reeling! Virat Kohli and KL Rahul did all the hard work but there could be another batting collapse here!!!
OUT! A Rahane lbw S Watson 13 (31), S Raina c Haddin b Watson 0 (1)

 

Virat Kohli becomes the second Indian after Sunil Gavaskar to smash four centuries in a series, as he gets his 10th ton in career to keep India on track. He has bee absolutely brilliant in this series with four centuries, and this time he is leading by example!

 

Finally, Mitchell Starc gets his man as KL Rahul goes for a pull and gets a top edge, the bowler completes a clean catch in his follow-through. Fine innings comes to an end, with KL Rahul and Kohli adding 141 runs for the third wicket. In-form Ajinkya Rahane is the new man in.
OUT! KL Rahul c&b Mitchell Starc 110 (262)
Play has resumed after the tea break in the final session on Day Four with India going strong. Virat Kohli sees off a maiden over from Ryan Harris.

Finally a session dominated by India, as Virat Kohli and KL Rahul take their third-wicket stand to an unbeaten 137 runs. Rahul has been magnificent as he gets to his maiden century, a superb watchful knock coming off 256 deliveries, studded with 11 fours and a six. Here’s Nishad Pai Vaidya’s second session report.

 

 

There it is!!! Lokesh Rahul gets his maiden Test century against Australia in Australia! What a fine knock by the young batsman, concentrating really hard and also having a bit of luck on his side. Certainly an emotional moment for him. Whatte knock!

 

Half-century No. 11 for India captain Virat Kohli, who completes it with a quick single off Nathan Lyon. The right-handed batsman is in terrific form. The new ball is due in another over or so. India also go past their 200-run mark in the 79th over.
The Indian captain is in full flow as he is striking boundaries at will. The two batsmen are consolidating for India as they have brought up their 100-run stand for the third wicket. Rahul hit a massive six to Nathan Lyon to move into the 90s for the first time in his international career.
India have shown more intent in this session with Kohli being his usual and Rahul also playing a little more aggressively. India trail by 405 more runs.
Virat Kohli raps two fours off Nathan Lyon in a spectacular manner to bring up his half-century stand for the third wicket with the solid-looking Rahul, as India continue to make progress in this innings. Australia’s lead is still in excess of 400, but with Kohli flourishing at the crease, India will be happy. The team total also goes past the 150-run mark.

 

India have begun on a positive note in the second session with both Kohli and Rahul batting comfortably. Rahul struck the first four of this innings with a fine drive towards the covers off Josh Hazlewood.

Only 51 runs scored by Indians in the first session, but they will be more concentrated on saving wickets. Australians stuck with their idea of playing ‘boring cricket’ and there was no usual talks when Virat Kohli came out to bat. Nevertheless, India have a mountain to climb — they trail by another 450 runs. Here’s the lunch report.

Australia bowled 30 overs in the session and India added only 51 runs in it, and lost one wicket. KL Rahul survived a run-out chance and had a catch dropped, but did very well to score his maiden half-century. Steven Smith was not happy after dropping the catch, but there is a debate whether it was the sun or the spider cam that came in the way and blocked his view. Nonetheless, a drop.
There it is! A survived run-out chance and now a dropped catch by Steven Smith, KL Rahul gets to his maiden half-century in Test cricket. Steven Smith provided the Indian opener a lifeline as he lost the ball in the sun on a mishit, but nevertheless, luck continues to favour Rahul.
The pitch has no demons at all so far, and it is supporting the batsmen amply. India’s man-in-form, Virat Kohli, has settled down with a couple of boundaries as the session heads towards lunch break.

STATS ALERT: Virat Kohli is now the only Indian cricketer after Rahul Dravid to have scored 500 runs in a Test series.

Perhaps the below embedded tweets might give you’ll a pitcure of the run-out chance that KL Rahul survived in the same over wherein Rohit Sharma was dismissed:

 

 

 

OUT! India lose their first wicket in the day with Rohit Sharma getting out after completing his half-century. It was an atrocious way to get out as Rohit looked to play a slog sweep, but missed the ball completely. Lyon’s delivery pitched outside off, turned in sharply and kept very, very low and crashed into the stumps. Little bit of comedy as well in the middle with KL Rahul making a desperate dive back into the crease and in process hurting himself to remain safe. Virat Kohli, the man in form, starts off with a four towards long on that also brings up the 100-run mark for India.
OUT! R Sharma b Lyon 53 (133)

 

Former Australian cricketers Ian Healy (left) and Shane Warne (center) before the start of the third day's play © Getty Images
Former Australian cricketers Ian Healy (left) and Shane Warne (center) before the start of the third day’s play © Getty Images

 

 

Both India and Australia are playing slow at the moment. India, who still have a deficit of 482 runs are in no hurry at all, and the Australians had already spoken about testing Indian cricketers’ patience by playing boring cricket.

 

It’s been a decent effort by these two batsmen to keep the Australians at bay, There is a bit of reverse swing which Ryan Harris generated but he could not make a breakthrough. India trail by 489 runs.
Ryan Harris starts with the first over in the day and Rohit Sharma plays out a maiden. This is a crucial first hour for India, they cannot afford to lose wickets.

Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s live blog of the third day’s play in the fourth and final Test between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday. This is Devarchit Varma, and I will be bringing you the live updates from the match. READ: India vs Australia 4th Test Day 2 Highlights

India were batting on a score of 71 for the loss of one wicket, with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul unbeaten on 40 and 31 respectively. India lost the early wicket of Murali Vijay , who was dismissed off the third ball of the innings when he was caught by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off the bowling of Mitchell Starc to depart for a duck. IN PHOTOS: India vs Australia, 4th Test at Sydney

Earlier in the second day, Australia declared on a mammoth score of 572 for seven, with Steven Smith and David Warner top-scoring for the hosts with knocks of 117 and 101 respectively. Australia’s top six managed to record fifty plus scores. Chris Rogers was unlucky to miss out on a ton as he was bowled for 95. Shane Watson scored 95. The opening stand between Warner and Rogers was worth 200. Watson and Smith put up a 196-run stand. Shaun Marsh and Joe Burns scored important fifties. READ: Mohammed Shami’s wickets need to come cheaper

Towards the end, Australia were entertained with a quick cameo of 25 by Ryan Harris before Steven Smith called them back to the dressing room. India have the tough task of going after 572 although it is a good track. There is some turn in the surface though. Mohammed Shami was the best bowler for India, having taken five wickets.

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