Umesh Yadav turned savior for India in 3rd Test. The first day of the third Test between India and Australia saw a disastrous batting display from the hosts as they were bowled out for just 109 runs within two sessions of play. Even their skipper Virat Kohli could only manage 22 runs off 52 balls. It was Umesh Yadav’s pinch-hitting effort that helped India get into three figures.
Umesh Yadav scored 17 runs off just 13 balls, including two sixes and a four. His second six equalled a record held by Kohli himself – 24 sixes in Test cricket. However, Yadav was unable to do much more as he became Mark Kuhnemann’s fifth wicket of the day.
Kuhnemann, who made his debut in the second Test, took five wickets while veteran Nathan Lyon took three as Australia dominated with the ball. However, India managed to strike early with the ball, dismissing opener Travis Head in the second over.
But Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja then formed a strong partnership, taking Australia within one run of India’s score before Labuschagne fell to Ravindra Jadeja for 31 runs. Khawaja continued to dominate, scoring 60 runs before being dismissed by Jadeja as well.
India will need to regroup and come back stronger on Day 2 if they hope to compete against a dominant Australian side. Umesh Yadav determination need to rub on other players as well if India has to challenge Australia in this test.
