Pat Cummins struck three times on a tense third day of the third Test against India to give Australia hope of a victory that would ensure the visitors retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The four-Test series is level after two dramatic matches and the contest in Ranchi is on track to be a classic.

India were 360-6 at stumps on Saturday, trailing Australia by 91 runs. Cummins and Josh Hazlewood bent their backs throughout an absorbing day in which wickets and runs were hard to come by. Cheteshwar Pujara became the top-ranked Test side’s first centurion of the series.

Pujara was 130 not out at stumps having defied Australia all day, and Steve Smith might feel aggrieved the talented batsman wasn’t dismissed on 22 when a contentious referral was turned down by third umpire Nigel Llong.



Pujara century keeps India in the hunt in Ranchi - as it happened Read more

Smith reviewed a confident lbw shout from Steve O’Keefe. Front-on replays appeared to show the ball hit bat before pad, but the snickometer picked up a clear noise that suggested it might have glanced the pad first. Llong was interested only in the raw footage.

Cummins continued to excel in his first Test since a memorable debut in 2011. The injury-prone express paceman started the day with three consecutive maidens and always looked the bowler most capable of creating a breakthrough.

Cummins removed Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin with bouncers, and he claimed the key scalp of Virat Kohli. The 23-year-old also snared the only Indian wicket to fall on day two. “He deserves a five-for. He’s been outstanding in his first Test back,” Michael Clarke said on Star Sports. “(Late in the day) he still has that little hint of reverse swing coming back in.”

Kohli continued his miserable series when he attempted to drive the first delivery he faced from Cummins. The resultant edge rocketed to Smith at second slip. The injured skipper, who sarcastically applauded Smith’s failed review in the morning session from the balcony, was out for six. He has totalled just 46 runs from five digs in the series.