Such was the timing that the ball sped through the gaps on the large MCG arena to hit the ropes. This was high-quality strokeplay.
The stage was big, the situation adverse and the response audacious. The counterattack by Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane thrilled one’s senses. The Aussies, for once, seemed shell-shocked as spearhead Mitchell Johnson took a pounding. Even the sunshine that lit the ground on an eventful Sunday seemed very Indian.
And memories of that immortal association between V.V.S. Laxman and Rahul Dravid against Australia several summers ago at the Eden Gardens came roaring back.
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Kohli’s spirit-lifting 169 — his third century of the series — and Ajinkya Rahane’s stroke-filled 147 lifted India from 147 for three to 409 when Rahane missed a sweep off off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
India’s all too familiar collapse — the side lost five wickets for 53 runs — to end the third day of the third Test here at 462 for eight was disappointing.
Yet, out of nowhere, India, 68 runs behind Australia’s first innings 530, might have earned itself a toe-hold in the Test.
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The pitch is still largely good for stroke-play but the bounce has become slightly uneven and a rough is developing for an off-spinner.
In the day’s last over, Kohli, rather unwisely, went to drive a Johnson delivery slanted across him for ‘keeper Brad Haddin to pluck an outstanding diving catch in front of first slip.
This was an innings where Kohli’s cover-driving was exceptional. He picked the length, got his feet to the pitch of the ball, and met the sphere with the sweet spot of his willow.
The manner he, on occasions, brought his wrists into play to coax the ball to the empty spaces was exceptional.
Kohli’s straight drive off Johnson was a thing of beauty. When Johnson bounced, he was pulled ruthlessly. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon was hit over his head. And Kohli’s whips scorched the surface.
He had the rub of the green on 88 when Johnson forced an edge with a hint of movement. Watson floored the catch at first slip. Australia’s ground fielding was also shoddy.
Flashpoint
There was a flash point during the day when bowler Johnson, sensing Kohli might be out of the crease at the striker’s end, threw the ball back.
The ball struck Kohli. The umpires had to speak to the Indian who, seemingly, mouthed some angry words.
A compact batsman, Rahane is sound off his back-foot. He is adept with his horizontal bat shots.
The small-built right-hander quickly got himself into good positions to pull short-pitched deliveries from Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and Ryan Harris.
Given the slightest of width, he cut Shane Watson to the fence. Rahane was picking the length capably.
The Mumbai batsman’s on-drive off Harris reflected his balance. He also revealed delicate hands for fine glances and the dab shot over slips. Like Kohli, Rahane’s cover-driving was glorious.
He was fortunate though on 70 when Lyon, who beat him a tad in flight, floored a return catch.
The second new ball was met with aggression by the two rampant Indians. The beating of the drums by the Indian supporters grew louder.
Australia fought back though. Debutant K.L. Rahul, perhaps, succumbed to nerves. He attempted a flick off Lyon, miscued, and was dropped by substitute Peter Siddle at mid-wicket.
He then tried to sweep the next delivery from the rough and was held at deep square-leg.
The big question was – Should an opener be made to bat in the middle-order on his debut?
R. Ashwin did not last long; picking the wrong ball for the drive and spooning a return catch to Harris.
The situation was still ideal for a stroke-maker such as Dhoni to build an association with Kohli but the skipper’s lack of feet movement outside off against the persistent Harris let him down.
Sensational catch
The day had started brightly for Australia. Cheteshwar Pujara attempted to cut the second ball of the day and Haddin, defying gravity, held a sensational one-handed catch.
The delivery from Harris was too close to his body for Pujara to try the stroke. Opener Murali Vijay was looking good for more when he, needlessly, pursued one outside off from Watson.
For Australia, Warner recovering from a hit on his forearm, fielded on day three.
Harris bowled with heart and skill but it was a day when Kohli and Rahane shone bright.
Scoreboard
Australia — 1st innings: 530.
India — 1st innings: M. Vijay c Marsh b Watson 68 (135b, 7x4), S. Dhawan c Smith b Harris 28 (51b, 3x4), C. Pujara c Haddin b Harris 25 (71b, 2x4), V. Kohli c Haddin b Johnson 169 (272b, 18x4), A. Rahane lbw b Lyon 147 (171b, 21 x 4), K.L. Rahul c Hazlewood b Lyon 3 (8b), M.S. Dhoni c Haddin b Harris 11 (23b, 1x4), R. Ashwin c & b Harris 0 (4b), M. Shami (batting) 9 (23b, 1x4); Extras (lb-1, w-1) 2; Total (for eight wkts. in 126.2 overs): 462.
Fall of wickets: 1-55 (Dhawan), 2-108 (Pujara), 3-147 (Vijay), 4-409 (Rahane), 5-415 (Rahul), 6-430 (Dhoni), 7-434 (Ashwin), 8-462 (Kohli).
Australia bowling: Johnson 29.2-5-133-1, Harris 25-7-69-4, Hazlewood 25-6-75-0, Watson 16-3-65-1, Lyon 29-3-108-2, Smith 2-0-11-0.