The Australian cricket team has won the third Test in the series against India, with Nathan Lyon being named Player of the Match.
Test Match: Australia vs India
The match ended within three days, and Australia is now in a position to draw the series. Despite not having a chance to win the series, the teams have a week to prepare for the final Test in Ahmedabad, which is expected to be an even contest.
Reflecting on his team's performance, Nathan Lyon credited their success to a team effort. He believed that his belief in his stock ball was the key to his performance and that he loved challenging himself at the highest level. Steve Smith, the Australian captain, attributed the win to the collective effort of his bowlers, who bowled in partnerships and put India under pressure. He also praised Usman Khawaja's outstanding performance in the first innings and expressed his pride in clinching a spot in the WTC final.
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma, the Indian opening batsman, acknowledged that his team did not perform well in the first innings and did not bat well enough to put up a competitive score. He emphasized the importance of putting runs on the board in the first innings and acknowledged that they did not adapt well to the challenging pitch. He also mentioned the need for players to stand up and take responsibility to take the team through tough times.
Although Steve Smith has not been performing well with the bat, his captaincy has been top-notch, as he has shown an admirable approach and tactical nous. Despite a shocking start to the game, Smith trusted his spinners and rotated them smartly to ensure that there wasn't too much burden on one particular bowler. He held his nerve during the final session on day 2 and introduced pace to change the complexion of the game, which ultimately paid off.
Conclusion:
Overall, the series has been superb, with both teams putting up a good fight. Although the third Test ended quickly, the final Test in Ahmedabad is expected to be an exciting and fitting finale to the series.
