Melbourne: Australian knocked over for 151 runs in the first inning of the third Test match and India has conceded a lead of 292 runs. After India declared their innings on 443, they needed quick wickets on day 3 to take control of the match. The bowlers, who have been outstanding all year, did not disappoint as they made most of an uneven surface with some relentless bowling and discipline.
Ishant Sharma got things rolling with the first wicket of Aaron Finch and Ravindra Jadeja kept plugging away at the other end. However, the day belonged to Jasprit Bumrah, who was fast, nasty and accurate as he sliced through the Australian batting order and ended up with a 6-wicket haul.
This spell from Bumrah is now the best by any Indian at the MCG (6/33). It is also the 2nd best spell by an Indian fast bowler in Australia in Tests.
Jasprit Bumrah surpassed Dileep Doshi to register most wickets for India in his debut year in Test cricket with 45 wickets and counting.
Dileep Doshi in 1979 had taken 40 wickets in his debut Test year, which was a record till Bumrah broke through in 2018. Venkatesh Prasad is on third behind Doshi with 37 in 1996. Narendra Hirwani with 36 wickets in 1988 and Sreesanth with 35 in 2006 complete the top five.
With this effort, the fast bowler became the first Asian bowler to take a five-for in each South Africa, England and Australia in a same calendar year in Tests.
Virat Kohli did not enforce the follow-on as India looked to have a quick dash on a surface which is showing signs of deterioration and will be quite notorious to bat on in the fourth innings.
