KL Rahul overcame the nightmare of Melbourne and stroked a much-refined maiden century.
It
has been an extremely hard beginning to Test cricket for young KL
Rahul, both with the bat and on the field. Following his forgettable
debut in Melbourne, twice out to silly shots for cheap scores, the
22-year-old had a rough opening day at the SCG, dropping a simple catch
and misfielding several times. All that changed on Thursday, when Rahul
held it together to score a well-refined maiden Test century, in the
process forging a 141-run alliance with Virat Kohli that raised Indian
hopes of a draw.
The presence of Kohli, who took another giant step towards greatness with his fourth hundred of the series, not out on 140 at the end of the third day is crucial to India's chances from here on. India still trail by 230 runs, five wickets remaining.
Rahul and Kohli batted with conviction and for nearly 50 overs either side of the final session, laid a strong platform for the visiting team. On a day where patience, composure and perseverance remained the key, India had almost the perfect outing, finishing on 342 for 5. Had Rahul not thrown away a solid effort with a loose pull shot and Suresh Raina not flirted outside off stump at his first ball faced in whites since September 2012, that too just after Ajinkya Rahane got a rough lbw verdict, India could have ended in a far stronger position.
The flat SCG surface provided an ideal opportunity for the Indian batsmen to cash in. Rahul's century came in the final over before tea, when he guided a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc behind point for four. Many believed he was lucky to have been given a second go, which meant that this was chance to prove himself and batting at the position he is most comfortable at, Rahul did not disappoint. He struck 13 fours and six and scored heavily both sides of the wicket.
Overcoming a dour first session, India did not lose a wicket post lunch and doubled the amount of runs scored in the morning session (112 in comparison to 51). The Australian fast bowlers tightened the screws from the first ball, allowing India just 11 runs in the first 15 overs of the day. Watson and Josh Hazlewood, introduced as the third and fourth bowlers, repeatedly landed the ball in the good length area, restraining the batsmen.
As expected, overnight batsmen Rahul and Rohit Sharma were circumspect early on as India slowly marched towards the 100-run mark. Rohit, two balls after reaching his second Test fifty with an uppish drive through covers, inside-edged a sweep off Nathan Lyon onto his stumps, once again failing to capitalise after a decent start and seeing off the difficult period. Lyon continued to get significant turn from the dry SCG surface, but Kohli and Rahul remained up to the task and ensured India did not suffer from any further casualties.
Kohli was once again his fluent best, playing crisp cover drives and scoring a fair clip. Rahul, easing down after showing early nerves, grew in confidence in the company of his captain. He had earlier received a lifeline, when he top-edged a pull off Watson, but in a bizarre incident, Steven Smith grassed the chance when the ball emerged from the sky with the spider-cam hovering around distracting him into a rare error.
His partnership with Kohli was essential after the dismissal of Rohit. While Rahul batted in a more conventional style, Kohli scored his runs at a much better rate. At 97 for 2, after surviving a few close shouts early on, the pair took India to precaution post tea. But soon after, Rahul played his third poor stroke of the series, pulling a ball wide of off stump for a simple top-edged return catch to Starc.
Rahane looked scratchy from the onset and after registering 13 to his name, was out lbw to Watson to a ball that kept a tad low and struck the batsman on his right thigh. The much-talked about return of Raina ended in mute fashion when the left-hand batsman nicked a full and wide delivery to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
India had lost two in two. In Melbourne, their last seven managed just 56 and a many predicted another collapse, but Kohli and Wriddhiman Saha (14) played out the final 15 overs of the day in an unbeaten 50-run stand before the players retreated back to the pavillion.
Brief Scores: India 342/5 (Virat Kohli 140*, KL Rahul 110; Shane Watson 2/42) trail Australia 572/7 decl by 230 runs.
The presence of Kohli, who took another giant step towards greatness with his fourth hundred of the series, not out on 140 at the end of the third day is crucial to India's chances from here on. India still trail by 230 runs, five wickets remaining.
Rahul and Kohli batted with conviction and for nearly 50 overs either side of the final session, laid a strong platform for the visiting team. On a day where patience, composure and perseverance remained the key, India had almost the perfect outing, finishing on 342 for 5. Had Rahul not thrown away a solid effort with a loose pull shot and Suresh Raina not flirted outside off stump at his first ball faced in whites since September 2012, that too just after Ajinkya Rahane got a rough lbw verdict, India could have ended in a far stronger position.
The flat SCG surface provided an ideal opportunity for the Indian batsmen to cash in. Rahul's century came in the final over before tea, when he guided a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc behind point for four. Many believed he was lucky to have been given a second go, which meant that this was chance to prove himself and batting at the position he is most comfortable at, Rahul did not disappoint. He struck 13 fours and six and scored heavily both sides of the wicket.
Overcoming a dour first session, India did not lose a wicket post lunch and doubled the amount of runs scored in the morning session (112 in comparison to 51). The Australian fast bowlers tightened the screws from the first ball, allowing India just 11 runs in the first 15 overs of the day. Watson and Josh Hazlewood, introduced as the third and fourth bowlers, repeatedly landed the ball in the good length area, restraining the batsmen.
As expected, overnight batsmen Rahul and Rohit Sharma were circumspect early on as India slowly marched towards the 100-run mark. Rohit, two balls after reaching his second Test fifty with an uppish drive through covers, inside-edged a sweep off Nathan Lyon onto his stumps, once again failing to capitalise after a decent start and seeing off the difficult period. Lyon continued to get significant turn from the dry SCG surface, but Kohli and Rahul remained up to the task and ensured India did not suffer from any further casualties.
Kohli was once again his fluent best, playing crisp cover drives and scoring a fair clip. Rahul, easing down after showing early nerves, grew in confidence in the company of his captain. He had earlier received a lifeline, when he top-edged a pull off Watson, but in a bizarre incident, Steven Smith grassed the chance when the ball emerged from the sky with the spider-cam hovering around distracting him into a rare error.
His partnership with Kohli was essential after the dismissal of Rohit. While Rahul batted in a more conventional style, Kohli scored his runs at a much better rate. At 97 for 2, after surviving a few close shouts early on, the pair took India to precaution post tea. But soon after, Rahul played his third poor stroke of the series, pulling a ball wide of off stump for a simple top-edged return catch to Starc.
Rahane looked scratchy from the onset and after registering 13 to his name, was out lbw to Watson to a ball that kept a tad low and struck the batsman on his right thigh. The much-talked about return of Raina ended in mute fashion when the left-hand batsman nicked a full and wide delivery to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
India had lost two in two. In Melbourne, their last seven managed just 56 and a many predicted another collapse, but Kohli and Wriddhiman Saha (14) played out the final 15 overs of the day in an unbeaten 50-run stand before the players retreated back to the pavillion.
Brief Scores: India 342/5 (Virat Kohli 140*, KL Rahul 110; Shane Watson 2/42) trail Australia 572/7 decl by 230 runs.
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