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In the third Test of their gripping series, India and Australia provided the cricket world with a spectacle of brilliant spin. The Indian tourists prevailed in a fierce battle between the bat and the ball at the Gabba in Brisbane thanks to left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhemann’s outstanding performance who claimed a five-wicket haul to send the Australian batting order into a state of “ Spin Mayhem”.
After the opening day of the Third Test against India, Australia was comfortably in charge thanks to Usman Khawaja’s 60-run innings and a first-ever five-wicket haul by Matthew Kuhnemann. Australia bowled out India for 109 after winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Left-arm spinner Kuhenmann recorded career-best figures of 5-16. Prior to Khawaja leading the tourists to a winning reply total of 156-4 with Peter Handscomb still in the game and Cameron Green still unbeaten on six, India suffered seven-wicket losses in a frantic morning innings.
In the opening over Rohit Sharma appeared to be out twice ( once caught behind and once LBW), but umpire Nitin Menin was unconvinced and Australia decided not to appeal the calls. Before Shubham Gill was caught at slip for 21 runs, Kuhnemann match ball finally had Sharma stumped for 12. When the ball began to turn suddenly, Nathan Lyon (3-35) bowled Cheteshwar Pujara for one and caught Ravindra Jadeja's cover for four runs. When Shreyas Iyer was bowled for a duck while attempting an expansive cut, India slipped to 45-5.
Despite Virat Kohli’s cautious batting in which he managed to score 22 off 52 balls he eventually was bowled by spinner Todd Murphy. Even after the break the thighs did not get any easier for the team India as Ravichandran Ashwin was caught behind for three runs off Mathhew Kuhnemann and Srikar Bharat was lbw to Lyon for 17 which left India at 84-7. Also, Umesh Yadav went out for 17 after Kuhnemann trapped him lbw and Mohammed Siraj was run out for a duck to end the session. Lastly, Jadeja a rounder bowled
While India was facing challenges The spinner Jadeja quickly cost Australia a wicket when he trapped Travis Head's leg before wicket for nine. Jadeja also dismissed Marnus Labuschagne with a no-ball before the Australian No. 3 narrowly avoided an excellent lbw from Ashwin. Before being bowled out by Jadeja for 31 Labuschnage shared a 96-run partnership with Khawaja. Jadeja also terminated Khawaja’s wicket when he caught the opener at deep midwicket. The Indian spinner finished with 4-63 after catching Steve Smith behind for 26.
The first two matches of the four-Test series were played on turning tracks and India won both in Nagpur and Delhi in three days and ensured their retention of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy whereas the Pitch used for the Test drew widespread criticism after 14 wickets fell on the first day. Mark Waugh, a former Australian test batsman remarked it as “It was mayhem”. He stated, "I think it's fair to say that the pitch was not up to Test standard."
Australia finished the day on 156/4 runs ahead of India. While it appeared that Australia would collapse similarly to India on a spin-friendly field when Jadeja quickly removed opener Travis Head, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne shored things up for the visitors and put them close to India’s mark.
FAQ’s
Why did PBKS release Mayank Agarwal?
Mayank Agarwal was taken in by Punjab Kings to replace KL Rahul, the team’s former captain and star player who moved for the Luckow SuperGiants.
Which cricket formats has Mayank Agarwal played?
Mayank Agarwal has covered all the formats of cricket including Test, One Day International and T20 matches.
