India v Australia, 3rd Test – India Player Ratings

The 3rd Test of the Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia in Ranchi ended in a draw after the visitors batted superbly on the final day to eke out result in their favour. It also meant the series is still on the line with the final Test yet to be played in Dharamsala. After Australia managed to post a mammoth 451 in their 1st innings courtesy brilliant centuries by Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell, India somehow managed to get past their score and make a formidable 603.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Wriddhiman Saha played superbly which ensured India took a big 150 runs lead. On the final day, Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh applied themselves brilliantly and ensured Australia didn’t give away wickets to the Indian spinners. Eventually, the match ended in a draw which will be a morale victory for the visitors

 KL Rahul – 8/10

The Karnataka lad continued from where he left in the Bangalore Test and smashed his 4th half-century of the Test series.  He looked in total control of proceedings and looked in ominous touch during his innings of 67 of 102 deliveries. He struck some exceptional shots especially of Josh Hazlewood and took on the Australian bowlers with authority.

For the 4th time in the series, Rahul failed to convert his start into a big one as he was dismissed by a scorcher of a delivery from Pat Cummins. It was a well directed short ball and in an attempt to fend it, Rahul gloved it straight to the wicket-keeper Matthew Wade.