India Vs Australia, 2nd Test: India fight back to hold 126-run lead on Day 3

Bengaluru, March 6: Cheteshwar Pujara and KL Rahul slammed brilliant half-centuries to help India fight back against Australia on the third day of the second Test match here on Monday (March 6).

Series schedule; Photos; Day 2 report;

Pujara (79 not out) and Ajinkya Rahane (40 not out) were batting at the crease when the umpire signalle the day's end. India scored 213 for the loss of 4 wickets and lead visitors by 126 runs at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Pujara-Rahane lead India's fight back:

Both Pujara and Rahane showed gritt and patience as the Australians kept probing the Indian batsmen. After losing 4 wickets in the second session the duo stitched a special partnership of 93 runs for the fifth wicket and batted for 33.5 overs. This is the highest batting partnership from both the sides in the ongoing series.

Rahul hits second fifty of the match:

KL Rahul struck another fine fifty, his second of the match, and laid the foundation of a solid reply from the hosts. He was dismissed for immediately after he completing half-century. He also completed his 1000 runs in Tests after making his debut against the same opposition in 2014.

Steve Smith took an absoloute blinder at slip off Steve O'Keefe to bring an end to a fine innings of the local boy.

Hazlewood rattles Indian top order:

Opener Abhinav Mukund (16) was removed in the first over after lunch by Josh Hazlewood.

Hazlewood, later, removed India's batting mainstay and skipper Virat Kohli with leg-before. Kohli's poor show with the bat continued as he could only score 15 in the second innings. He was dismissed for 12 in the first innings.

Ravindra Jadeja was promoted as 'tea-watchman' as hosts lost Kohli at the stroke of tea, but he too was dismissed by Hazlewood for 2.

Earlier in the day, Ravindra Jadeja returned with a brilliant six-for as India bundled Australia for 276 in 122.4 overs in their first innings on third day of the second Test match here on Monday (March 6).

Jadeja, who was the pick of the bowlers for India, got three out of four wickets which India took on the third day as Australia took 87-run lead. Ashwin took the other Australian wicket hosts got.

It was Jadeja's day so far as he not only finished with 6/63 in 22.4 overs but also took a brilliant catch of Mitchell Starc (26) in the deep. Starc was the first Aussie wicket to fall on the third day.

Earlier, Australia started batting from their overnight score of 237/6 and went on to add 39 runs to their total before perishing.

Australians dominated the second day against hosts thanks to gritty half-centuries by Matt Renshaw and Shaun Marsh which placed them in a comfortable position at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Marsh was the highest scorer among the visitors with 66 runs off 197 balls while Renshaw, who did well to survive a difficult morning session, posted 60.

The duo waged a grim battle on a difficult pitch against some excellent bowling by the Indians and Australia opened up a 48-run lead by the end of the day's play. The hosts were dismissed for 189 runs in their first innings on the opening day.

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