adminSYDNEY. — Lokesh Rahul hit his maiden century, Virat Kohli his fourth of the series, but Australia’s Shane Watson hit back with two wickets in as many balls to leave India on 342 for five after the third day of the fourth Test cricket yesterday.
Kohli, who became the first player to score centuries in his first three innings as test captain, was still at the crease on 140 when stumps were drawn after a hot, sunny day packed with incident at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
India, already 2-0 down in the four-match series, had resumed on 71-1 in reply to Australia’s 572-7 declared and restored a great deal of pride as well as reducing the deficit to 230 runs. Rahul had more to prove than most after his torrid introduction to test cricket in Melbourne last week, where he scored four runs in two innings.
The 22-year-old rode his luck and was forced to dive bat-less into the Sydney dirt to prevent being run out soon after Rohit Sharma (53) had become the only batsman to fall in the opening session.
He was perhaps even more fortunate to escape with his wicket just before lunch when, on 46, he ballooned the ball into the air but Steve Smith failed to hold the catch.
The Australian captain, who later also dropped Kohli on 59 at second slip, made it clear he believed the wire that holds the overhead TV camera — Spidercam — in place had prevented him from dismissing Rahul. — SuperCricket.
Online Reporter