Australian cricket team took a 23-run lead after dismissing the hosts for 405 on day three. Touring team set a chasing score of 428 on second day.
India started the third day with 110 for 2 with Rahul Dravid and Ishant Sharma not out on stumps. Rahul Dravid was not out on 21 and Ishant Sharma was on 0. They needed more 318 runs to surpass Australia’s target.
India started well but they could not hold their dominance over the Aussie bowlers. Nightwatchman, Ishant Sharma, was the first wicket to fall on third day. After that, Rahul Dravid made partnership with Sachin Tendulkar in the fourth wicket. When the pair was playing against it seemed India will take lead in the first innings and put on a huge total on the board.
However, Rahul Dravid was dismissed for 77 and failed to surpass Sir Don Bradman's tally of 29 Test hundred. There is no doubt that Australian bowlers were tortured more by Sachin Tendulkar. He was two runs short of his 49th test century as he was trapped lbw by Marcus North.
Sachin Tendulkar made two important partnerships. With Rahul Dravid, he made 79-run partnership in the 4th wicket stand and with Suresh Raina, he made 124-run partnership in the 5th wicket stand.
Suresh Raina also played well. He scored 128-ball 86 including 14 boundaries. After his departure, none of India’s remaining batsmen showed any resistance. Adding 51 runs, India lost the remaining 5 wickets.
VVS Laxman bat at number No. 9 due to his back problem. He could not make any impact with the bat. May be his injury forced him not to stay long on the field.
Mitchell Johnson was impressive with the ball as he took five wickets for 64 from 20 overs. However, Doug Bollinger took the first two wickets on day 3. Both Ben Hilfenhaus and Nathan Hauritz also took two wickets apiece.
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