India is bowled out for 244 runs on Day 3.
Shubhman Gill scores his maiden half-century, Pujara gets one too. Soon after the new ball is taken, Pujara and Pant depart followed by the lower order falling apart.
Australia is continuing its attack after the loss of two initial wickets.
Ashwin strikes early as Warner, wanting to sweep, misjudged the wrong-un and has been given out.
Siraj sends Pucovski packing as Saha dived to the right to take a stunner.
Steve and Marnus Labuschagne continue taking the lead up (197 by the end of day 3), making it tougher for Team India as the bowling line-up is missing an experienced and wicket-taking bowler in Jadeja.
Injuries hit hard Team India
This tour has been disdainful for India as injuries have hit the camp several times. After Kohli departs for his paternity duties, Shami injures himself after the first match at Adelaide and has been ruled out from the rest of the series.
Umesh Yadav got injured in the second match and has been ruled out from the series. KL Rahul fell injured while practicing in the net and has been sent to India.
The third test sees Risabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja sustaining injuries while batting. Risabh Pant received a blow in his elbow of a Pat Cummins delivery and has been taken to the hospitals for scans.
Jadeja was hit in his left thumb while batting and has been taken to the hospitals.
Though India is playing Saha as a replacement of Pant as the wicket-keeper, Saha can’t bat in the second innings as per the ICC rules. In that case, India has to bat with ten batsmen, missing one crucial batsman.
Favoritism in foreplay
Wridhiman Saha, a specialist wicket-keeper, deserves more chances as he has proven his wicket-keeping skills more so often. Albeit, it is the favoritism card that is played quite often, ruling the less famous player(less branded) like Saha out of the game.
Pant has dropped Pucovski twice in the first innings at Sydney Cricket Ground, one against Ashwin and another against Siraj. Ricky Ponting lashed out at Pant for his disastrous stint with wicket-keeping, especially against the spinners.
Syed Kirmani in his column has suggested Pant take some wicket-keeping lessons from his senior, Wridhiman Saha. A wicket-keeper is the pillar of the team. The footwork of a wicket-keeper against the spin attack is very crucial which is seen missing in Pant’s part. Kirmani also has expressed his concern regarding the proclivity of the selectors towards a wicket-keeper cum batsman rather than a specialist wicket-keeper. The trend started after Mahendra Singh Dhoni came in to play and changed the scenario with his devastative batting displays as well his unusual wicket-keeping techniques.
Successor of Dhoni is a myth
BCCI seems to be looking in dire need of a successor of MS Dhoni which is nonsensical. Pant is desperately trying to step into the shoes of MS Dhoni, resulting in costing the game for the team. Dhoni, a non-copybook cricketer, comes once and stays irreplaceable. Pant must accept this simple fact and focus on his wicket-keeping skills.
Saha deserves a permanent place in the team, if not as a batsman but as a specialist wicket-keeper. The constant fear of getting dropped breaks a sportsman from the inside.
