India did have its share of success, but Australia had the last laugh, as it dismissed India for 336 on Day 3 of the final Test, for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, at The Gabba in Brisbane, on Sunday. While Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur scored half-centuries each, pacer Josh Hazlewood claimed a five-for, as the host leads by 54 runs at stumps.
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Australia had won the toss and elected to bat first, as it was bundled out for 369, with Marnus Labuschagne (108) and skipper Tim Paine (50) playing the best innings, while three Indians claimed three-for. India lost a couple of wickets at the end of day's play on Saturday.
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As the Indians resumed at the overnight score of 622, 30 minutes prior, due to rain washing out the post-tea session on Saturday, Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper pair Ajonkya Rahane handled the early hour quite well. The two put up a 45-run stand for the third wickets, before Pujara fell for 25 at the score of 105, as pacer Josh Hazlewood made him caught behind off Paine.
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Rahane continued to dominate, setting up a 39-run stand with Mayank Agarwal. Nonetheless, at the score of 144, the skipper drove it to Matthew Wade in the slips, off seamer Mitchell Starc, as he departed for 37, while the lunch break was called in at 1614.
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The post-lunch session saw a shaky start from India, with Mayank falling in the very second ball of the session, as he handed a catch to Steve Smith in the slips off a reckless shot. It was Hazlewood, who got his number for 38, as the score read 1615.
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As Washington Sundar joined Rishabh Pant, the pair could only contribute 25, with the latter falling for 23 off Hazlewood, after being brilliantly caught by Cameron Green at backward point. Nonetheless, it was then all about the pair of Sundar and Shardul Thakur.
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The couple took control for the rest of the session, as they contributed to an unbeaten 67-run stand for the seventh wicket. It is also the most for the wicket by an Indian pair on this ground, as the tea break is in effect.
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In the post-tea session, as India resumed on 2536, while Sundar and Thakur's pair continued its onslaught, as it contributed to a 123-run stand for the seventh wicket. During the course, they also brought up their respective maiden half-centuries in the format.
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At the score of 309, Thakur departed for 67, after being cleaned up by pacer, Pat Cummins. 19 runs later, Navdeep Saini fell for mere five to Hazlewood, after edging to Smith at the slips.
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Sundar was next to depart, at the score of 328, as he fell for 62 to seamer, Mitchell Starc, after being caught by Green. Meanwhile, eight runs later, Siraj was the final man to fall for 13, off Hazlewood, who bowled him out.
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As for the Australians, they utilised six bowlers. It was a consolidated performance from most of them, with Hazlewood being the star, claiming his second five-for of the series.
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As Australia came out to bat, there were no shaky starts, with openers Chris Harris and David Warner staying unbeaten at stumps. Meanwhile, the Indians have utilised three bowlers, with Natarajan and Sundar being the most economical ones.Brief scores: 369 & 210 (Warner 20; Sundar 03) leads India 336 (Sundar 62, Thakur 67; Hazlewood 557) by 54 runs.
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