Melbourne, Dec 28 (NationPress) Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon claimed the significant wickets of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja as India posted 244/7 in 73 overs, trailing Australia by 230 runs at lunch on day three of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. This session was captivating for Australia, with their bowlers exhibiting remarkable control and discipline by dismissing both overnight batters, especially as Pant's dismissal drew considerable scrutiny.

With Nitish Kumar Reddy looking impressive again with his footwork and proactiveness at 40 not out, and Washington Sundar supporting him at five not out, India is heavily relying on these two to not only surpass 275 and evade the follow-on but also to minimize the deficit as much as possible.

Resuming from 164/5, the measured Pant accumulated boundaries off Pat Cummins and Boland, while surviving a caught behind appeal, as replays indicated the ball merely brushed his elbow, along with two near run-outs with Jadeja. However, in the 56th over, Pant began to show aggression – attempting a big shot off Boland but getting struck on his body. On the subsequent delivery, Pant attempted a scoop shot again but ended up with a thick top-edge, resulting in his catch at third man for 28.

Reddy commenced with a drive and slice that yielded him two boundaries, but Lyon posed challenges to Jadeja with his looping deliveries. On the fifth ball of the 65th over, Lyon unleashed a skiddy delivery that struck Jadeja's back pad in front of off-stump, trapping him plumb lbw. Jadeja attempted to contest the decision, but ball-tracking indicated the delivery would have hit the stumps, leading to his walk back for 17. Lyon continued with his off-stump line, yet Reddy advanced down the pitch to send the off-spinner over his head for a splendid six, followed by a four off Travis Head in a similar fashion.

Cummins bombarded Reddy with some aggressive short balls, but the young all-rounder held his ground admirably. However, Sundar appeared uneasy against the Australian skipper, as the hosts secured yet another favorable session.

Brief scores:

Australia 474 leads India 244/7 in 73 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 82, Nitish Kumar Reddy 40 not out; Scott Boland 3-37, Pat Cummins 2-70) by 230 runs