Following a scintillating batting display the previous day, India resumed their innings with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal leading the charge. Starting with a commanding lead, the pair quickly moved the scoreboard to 191/0 off 61 overs.
The highlight of the morning came in the very next over when Jaiswal brought up a magnificent century off 205 balls, giving India a significant boost.
Australia’s breakthrough came shortly after, as Mitchell Starc ended the 201-run opening partnership by dismissing Rahul in the 63rd over. Devdutt Padikkal then joined Jaiswal at the crease, displaying far more composure than in his first-innings dismissal.
The new partnership flourished, steering India to 247/1 in 78 overs, extending their lead to 293 runs. Despite taking the new ball, Australia’s frustrations grew as the left-handed duo continued to dominate. By lunch, Jaiswal and Padikkal had pushed the score to 275/1, stretching the lead to a commanding 321 runs.
The afternoon session began with a shock as Devdutt Padikkal was dismissed for a duck by Hazlewood off the first ball after lunch. However, Virat Kohli and Jaiswal continued to build India’s innings, with Jaiswal reaching a brilliant 150.
The pair moved the score to 312/2 in 93 overs, but Australia fought back as Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel were dismissed cheaply, leaving India at 325/5, with a lead of 371 runs. With Washington Sundar and Kohli at the crease, India steadied the ship, reaching 358/5 in 109 overs, leading by 404 runs at Tea, with Kohli on 40 off 74 balls.
Post-tea, the pitch showed signs of wear, with cracks allowing Nathan Lyon to gain some control, but Kohli and Sundar kept the runs flowing, extending India’s lead to 430 as the score reached 384/5. Kohli, in superb touch, brought up his fifty off 94 balls, while Sundar provided excellent support.
The pair added 89 runs, taking India to 406/5. Lyon eventually struck, dismissing Sundar and bringing Nitish Kumar Reddy to the crease. The Andhra batter looked in great form, blasting 37 off 26 balls in an attacking display.
However, the most significant moment came when Virat Kohli reached his century off 143 balls, sending the crowd into raptures. As Kohli celebrated, Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah, from the stands, signaled for the declaration, prompting the team to walk off with the score at 487/6, leading by 534 runs.
Australia’s second innings faltered immediately, with Nathan McSweeney falling to Bumrah in the opening over. The struggles continued as Pat Cummins was dismissed soon after, leaving Australia in a precarious position at 12/2 after just four overs.
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The Indian team sensed victory as Marnus Labuschagne was also sent packing, leaving Australia at 12/3, still needing 522 runs to win. With Labuschagne’s wicket, the umpires called off the day, and the Indian team walked off the field, visibly content with their dominant position.