Mohali, March 18 (IANS) India just need another 104 runs to beat Australia and take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series on the final day of the third cricket Test at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium here Monday.
Murali Vijay was batting on 19 and Cheteshwar Pujara 10 as India reached 30 for no loss in the second innings at tea while chasing a target of 133 runs.
Earlier resuming at 75 for three, Australia were bowled out for 223 runs in the second innings and took a 132 runs lead. Australia made 408 in the first innings and then bowled out India for 499.
India’s left arm spinners Ravindra Jadeja (3/35) and Pragyan Ojha (2/26) wrecked havoc in the Australian middle-order. Offie Ravichandran Ashwin also bagged two including the wicket of top scorer Phil Jacques, who came back to form with 69.
Ojha and Jadeja struck in tandem as Australia lost five wickets for 54 runs. Ojha was the first to strike to get rid of nightwatchman Nathan Lyon (18), caught behind by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Jadeja dismissed skipper Michael Clarke (18) again for the fifth time in the series. Clarke tried to flick but got an inside edge onto his pad and Cheteshwar Pujara took an easy catch at short-leg.
Jadeja also got rid of Moises Henriques (2) with an excellent diving catch off his own bowling and Ojha castled Peter Siddle (13) to leave Australia struggling at 143 for eight.
But two crucial stands helped Australia cross 200-run mark. Brad Haddin (30) and Mitchell Starc (35) added 36 runs for the ninth wicket while Starc and Xavier Doherty (18) contributed valuable 44 runs for the last wicket.
