This was Jadeja’s fourth time removing Labuschagne so far in the series.
India and Australia’s third Test match was played on a pitch that favored spinners on Day 1. After the first session ended, India had only scored 84 runs and had lost seven wickets to the combined efforts of Matthew Kuhnemman and Nathan Lyon. India’s post-lunch collapse to 109 runs was aided by Kuhnemann’s five wickets and Lyon’s three. Afterward, Team India’s savior was the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who took off the top of the Australian batting order and gave his team a chance to come back. The dismissal of Marnus Labuschagne was the most memorable of Jadeja’s four wickets.
Labuschagne misjudged a spinning delivery that stayed low and jarred the middle stump in the 35th over. Incredulous with Jadeja’s spin, the Australian batter was dismissed. After seeing the replay of his wicket, a heartbroken Labuschagne returned to the dugout.
Because of this, Jadeja ended Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja’s 96-run partnership. Labuschagne was fired by Jadeja for the fourth time in the series. Before this, he had already been sent packing twice, once in Nagpur and once in the first innings in Delhi.
On a tense first day in Indore, Australia applied themselves on a rank turner to seize control of the third Test from the Indians. This was after the Indian batting lineup’s long-standing troubles against spin had been thoroughly exposed.
Just after noon on day one, Australia skittled India out for a meager 109, with Matthew Kuhnemman (5/16) picking up his first five-wicket haul. For India, Virat Kohli was the most valuable player, scoring 22 runs off 52 balls.
Australia, down 0-2 in the series, came out with determination and focus on Day 3, finishing with 156 for four and a 47-run lead.
By the day’s end, India lost all four batsmen they faced, including stand-in captain Steve Smith (26 runs off 38 balls).
