On this episode of The Aussie Challenge podcast, Ayaz Memon and I discuss Day 3 of the SCG Test that ended with Australia at 103/2 at Stumps. They now hold a 197 run lead over India, with 8 wickets in hand and two days of play still left.

India started the day on the overnight score of 96/2 with Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara at the crease. But the Aussie bowlers managed to make regular inroads first sending Rahane back on 22 then Vihari was run out on 4. Cheteshwar Pujara made a half century but it was the slowest of his test career. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja both got injured while batting but both continued on and added 36 and 28 runs respectively to the team’s tally. India were bowled out on 244.

Australia lost openers early with Will Puckovski falling to Siraj and Ashwin picking his first wicket of the match- sending back David Warner on 13. Steve Smith and Marcus Labuschagne were at the crease at Stumps with the team’s score at 103/2.

15: Podcast: Australia in Command With 197 Run Lead Over India

On this episode of The Aussie Challenge podcast, Ayaz Memon and I disc Day 4 of the SCG Test that saw India on 98/2 at Stumps, needing another 309 runs to win the match.

Australia started the day on 103/2 with overnight batsmen Marnus Labuschage and Steve Smith both going onto make their half centuries. Marnus was the first wicket to fall on the day, out to Navdeep Saini on 73.  Steve Smith was looking strong and was into his 80s when R Ashwin restarted their little rivalry and trapping him lbw on 81. 

Tim Paine and Cameron Green then added 104 runs for the 6th wicket with Green also scoring his maiden test half century. He made 84 off 132 and was the last wicket to fall before Tea, which was when Paine declared the innings at 312/6, setting India a 407 run target.

Rohit and Shubhman gave India a solid start, making 71 for the first wicket, before Shubman edged one to Paine off Hazlewood on 31. Rohit scored his first half century as an opener overseas but then lost his wicket to Cummins soon after. 

Rahane and Pujara are at the crease. India 98/2 at stumps. Need 309 runs to win the match

16: Podcast: India Need 309 Runs to Win The Match, Can It be Done?

India have drawn the third Test against Australia and it’s been quite a performance from the team that had three players injured during the game, one even hobbling off the field when play ended!

On this episode of The Aussie Challenge podcast, Ayaz Memon and I discuss India’s impressive performance and the many players who helped them secure the draw.

India started the day at 98/2 with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease. Rahane though fell in the first over of the day but Rishabh Pant, an injured Rishabh Pant, who had been hit on his elbow during the first innings, came out to bat with Pujara and memorable and magical innings followed. They put together 148 runs with diametrically opposite innings. Pant was batting at strike rate of 80 by the time he got out on 97 and Pujara’s strike rate improved to move to the 30s by the time he got out on 77. But both contributions equally important to India’s cause.

It was eventually Hanuma Vihari and Ravi Ashwin who got India to the end. Vihari batting almost 4 hours with an injured hamstring that didn’t allow him to take many singles. Ashwin, showing a masterclass in handling Nathan Lyon’s spin, batted 128 delivered and scored 39.

The four match series is now poised at 1-1 with one Test to be played at Brisbane.

17: Podcast: India’s SCG Draw Among Their Best Overseas Performances

Bumrah, Ashwin, Jadeja and Vihari are out injured but India are soldiering on in Australia as Day 1 of the Gabba Test ended with the home team at 274/5.

On this episode of The Aussie Challenge podcast, Ayaz Memon and I discuss the big moments from the opening day of the Test series-decider.

Tim Paine elected to bat first after winning the toss in Brisbane and India made four changes to their line-up. Bumrah, Ashwin, Jadeja and Vihari are all out with Mayank Agarwal and Shardul Thakur getting a game along with debutants Washington Sundar and T Natarajan.

A depleted bowling attack but India drew first blood as Siraj sent back David Warner in the first over of the day and then Marcus Harris was out to Shardul Thakur in the 9th over. Australia were 17/2.

Steve Smith and Marcus Labuschagne then steadied things with the team going to Lunch at 65/2.

Washington Sundar claimed Steve Smith’s scalp as his first Test wicket, out on 36. Marcus though went onto score his 5th Test century. His 113-run stand with Matthew Wade ended with Wade becoming T Natarajan’s first Test wicket and Marnus too fell to him 2 overs later.

Tim Paine and Cameron Green then saw out the day, and also the new ball as Australia were 274/5 at stumps.

18: Podcast: More Injury Concerns & Marnus’ Big Ton Highlight Day 1

India’s rookie bowling attack continued their good work in Brisbane and rolled over the Australians for 369 in the morning session of Day 2 of the Gabba Test. T Natarajan, Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar all took three wickets each while Mohammed Siraj picked one.  

On this episode of The Aussie Challenge podcast, Ayaz Memon and I talk about how impressive the Indian attack has been especially given the injuries on the second day of the Test series-decider. 

Overnight batsmen Tim Paine and Cameron Green were looking to score quickly and started off well too. The Australian skipper was the first to fall in the morning when he edged it to Rohit Sharma off Thakur.  

Off the next over, Sundar managed to deceive Green (47) and disturb the woodwork, to leave the hosts at 313/7.  

Shortly Pacer Pat Cummins was trapped LBW by Thakur for 2 and India were looking at the countering the tail. Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood used the long handle to good effect before Natarajan wrapped things up to bowl them out for 369.  

After lunch, the Indian openers could not produce a solid start as Cummins sent Shubman Gill packing for 7. Rohit Sharma looked good till he could not resist the temptation to go for a big one and was wicket number 397 Lyon.  

India went into Tea with Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara in the middle with the score at 62/2, trailing the Australians by 307 runs. However, heavy rain from then on in meant play was called off early in Brisbane

19: Podcast: Rookie Bowlers Help India Stay On Course in Brisbane

A Test match partnership to remember.

India’s debutant Washington Sundar collaborated with Shardul Thakur to add an important 123 runs to the team’s score as they eventually folded on 336. At Stumps on Day 3 of the Gabba Test, Australia were 21/0 leading India by 54 runs.

India had Rahane and Pujara start on the overnight score of 62/2 and they added 43 before Pujara fell on 25. Rahane followed on 37, Mayank made 38 and Pant made 23 but then India found itself in trouble at 186/6. That’s when Shardul Thakur joined Washington Sundar and the two played a memorable innings, adding 123 runs for the 7th wicket with Thakur top-scoring with 67 and Sundar making 62.

On this episode of The Aussie Challenge podcast, Ajaz Memon and I discuss the partnership, Mayank’s return to the squad and analyse just how the match is poised with two more days left.

20: Podcast | ‘Sundar’s Amongst Most Formidable Test Match Debuts’

India need 324 runs to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and they have all their wickets and an entire day to accomplish what will be a truly historic and memorable achievement.

On this episode of The Aussie Challenge Podcast with Ayaz Memon, we discuss India’s big day in Brisbane that saw Siraj pick a fifer and Shardul Thakur finish the innings with four wickets.

Australia were bowled out for 294 and India were 4/0 at Stumps after rain forced an early end to the day.

21: Podcast: 324 Runs Stand Between India and a Historic Series Win

India beat Australia by 3 wickets in Brisbane to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, 2-1. With many first team players back home in India due to injuries, Ajinkya Rahane’s squad of fighters beat Australia’s star-studded team against all odds.

On this episode of 'The Aussie Challenge' podcast, Ayaz Memon takes us through the big moments from the Brisbane Test and talks about the match-winners who helped seal the historic win.

22: Podcast: Stars Are Born as India Seal Their Greatest Test Series Victory

18 Jan, 2:26 pm
India need 324 runs to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and they have all their wickets and an entire day to accomplish what will be a truly historic and memorable achievement.

On this episode of The Aussie Challenge Podcast with Ayaz Memon, we discuss India’s big day in Brisbane that saw Siraj pick a fifer and Shardul Thakur finish the innings with four wickets.

Australia were bowled out for 294 and India were 4/0 at Stumps after rain forced an early end to the day.

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The Quint