India were 96 for two at stumps on day two, trailing Australia by 242 runs in the third Test here on Friday. Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Ajinkya Rahane were batting 9 and 5 respectively at close of play.
India made a solid start with Rohit Sharma (26) and Shubman Gill (50) stitching a 70-run opening stand. Gill went on to score his maiden half-century. Australia rode on Steve Smith”s gritty 131-run knock and half centuries by debutant Will Pucovski (62) and Marnus Labuschagne (91) to come up with their strongest batting performance of the ongoing series. Brief Scores: India 1st Innings: 96/2 in 45 overs (Shubman Gill 50; Cheteshwar Pujara batting 9, Ajinkya Rahane batting 5; Josh Hazlewood 1/23, Pat Cummins 1/19). Australia 1st innings: 338 all out in 105.4 overs (Will Pucovski 62, Marnus Labuschagne 91, Steve Smith 131, Ravindra Jadeja 4/62, Jasprit Bumrah 2/66).
