MELBOURNE: Pat Cummins grabbed four wickets in a destructive spell of pace bowling to leave India reeling at 54/5 in the second innings at stumps on Day 3 of the third Test in Melbourne on Friday. Despite the collapse, the visitors still led by 346.
Skipper Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara both fell for ducks to the right arm quick who also scalped opener Hanuma Vihari and Ajinkya Rahane. Josh Hazlewood chipped in with the wicket of Rohit Sharma.
Debutant Mayank Agarwal remained unbeaten on 28 while wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant was keeping him company with six runs to his name.
Earlier, India decided not to enforce the follow-on after Australia were skittled for 151, trailing by 292 runs with Jasprit Bumrah taking six wickets.
They began the day with eight runs on the scoreboard after surviving six nervy overs on Thursday following India’s daunting 443-7 declaration.
But on a Melbourne pitch showing signs of wear and tear, their downfall began quickly when Aaron Finch was out for eight.
None of the batsmen could muster more than 22, again exposing how much they miss the banned Steve Smith and David Warner.
Skipper Tim Paine and opener Marcus Harris both top-scored with 22. Pace spearhead Bumrah took only his third five-wicket haul, bagging 6-33. In contrast to Australia’s frailties, India’s batsmen shone with Cheteshwar Pujara making 106, Virat Kohli 82 and Rohit Sharma not out 63.