Vikrant Shekhawat : Jan 07, 2021, 04:42 PM
Cricket Desk: Australia seized the initiative on Day 1 of the third Test against India as they ended the day at a commanding 166/2 after winning the toss and deciding to bat first. Will Pucovski made a promising start to his Test career and scored an attractive 62 at the top of the order. The long-haired 22-year-old Australian scored four boundaries in his 110-ball stay and put on a 100-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne.Australia will also be pleased with the fact that their batting talisman, Steve Smith has finally found some form. The batting maestro had endured a horrible run leading into the third Test and had aggregated just 10 runs till the start of the Sydney Test. But, Smith looked comfortable at the crease in his 64-ball stay, and remained unbeaten on 31, as he and Labuschagne put on an unbeaten 60-run stand to put the kangaroos on top.
Also, Steve Smith is known for his weird mannerisms at the crease. Australia’s No.4 shuffles across the stumps a lot, adjusts his box, and his mannerisms are well known to the cricketing world. Previously, Indian pacer Ishant Sharma had also hilariously imitated Smith in a Test match in India in 2017.Now, in the third Test in Australia on 7th January 2021, it was pacer Jasprit Bumrah who did the same. When he was returning to his run-up, Bumrah shook his shoulders in a funny fashion and mimicked Smith’s actions, as Mohammad Siraj can be seen patting him on the back with a laugh.Jasprit Bumrah could not find much success on Day 1Meanwhile, there was very little success for Bumrah on Day 1 of the third Test. The pacer sent down 14 overs but was unable to take a wicket on a rain-hit day. Only 55 overs were bowled, and Australia scored their runs at just over three runs an over. Also, David Warner’s awaited return to Test cricket ended in disappointment as the left-handed opening batsman lasted just 8 deliveries, and was scalped by Saini for 5 runs.With the series currently in a stalemate at 1-1, both the teams will be looking to land the killer punch in the decisive third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground(SCG).Hahaha @Jaspritbumrah93 reaction on Smith #AUSvIND 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/vjgOMokAMn
— Jasprit Bumrah FC (@JBFC93) January 7, 2021