IND vs AUS 3rd Test: Jadeja & Gill duo gives Team India a slight edge, India are 96/2 at Stumps on Day 2

IND vs AUS Boxing Day Test Highlights: Day 2: Stumps - India trail by 242 runs

Brief score: AUS - 338 All-out (Smith 131, Labushagne 91, Jadeja 4/62, Saini 2/65)

IND - 96/2 (45 overs) (Pujara 9* Rahane 5* Cummins 1/19, Hazelwood 1/23)

India and Australia are taking on each other in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series at SCG. Ajinkaya Rahane led Team India was the happier side after having restricted Australia to 338. However, at one stage, the hosts looked set to get a total of 400-plus until 'SIR' Jadeja came in their way with his outstanding spell with the ball and his scintillating fielding. In reply, both Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill played watchfully and gives India a solid platform up front by putting a decent 70-run stand for the opening wicket. 

At stumps on Day 2, India ended with a score of 96/2 and still trails by 242 runs. Gill scores his maiden Test fifty but departs off Pat Cummins just after the splendid knock. Skipper Ajinkaya Rahane remains unbeaten on 5 while Cheteshwar Pujara is giving him support from the other end by making 9 not out. Now, both Rahane and Pujara will need to step up and bail the team out of trouble because India will have to bat in the 4th innings.

STUMPS on Day 2 of the 3rd Test.

India 96/2, trail Australia (338) by 242 runs.

Join us for an all important Day 3 of the 3rd Test tomorrow.

Scorecard - https://t.co/tqS209srjN #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QnkDalr3wW

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 8, 2021

The SCG wicket is a good one to bat on, and it will only get quicker on three two, and batting might get easier. The Indian cricket team will be eyeing at least a 400-run mark to take psychological advantage over Australia in their first innings.

It takes a brilliant Jadeja run-out to dismiss the magnificent Steve Smith 🔥

Australia are all out for 338. How will India's response go?#AUSvIND SCORECARD ▶ https://t.co/Zuk24dsH1t pic.twitter.com/AdIKMLRNsf

— ICC (@ICC) January 8, 2021

Earlier, Steve Smith became the first Australian to score a hundred in this series with a scintillating knock (131 off 226) in Sydney after failures in the first two Tests. Marnus Labushagne also notched a fine 91. Debutant Will Pucovski also impressed with the bat and hits his maiden Test fifty after a couple of dropped chances.

Ravindra Jadeja was the major contributor on the Indian side, he took 4/62 and run-out centurion Steve Smith on a direct hit to keep the Aussies in check in the ongoing third Test at SCG.