Match Blog: Pujara, Rahane Guide India to a 126-Run Lead on Day 3

All the latest updates and pictures from the third day of the Bangalore Test between India and Australia.

• India end day three of the second Test between India and Australia at 213/4.
  
• The home team has gained a lead of 126 runs.
  
• Cheteshwar Pujara top scored for India with 79* runs.
  
• Josh Hazlewood picked up three wickets for 57 runs.
  
• Australia were all out for 276 runs.

India Lead Australia by 126 Runs at the End of Day 3

India’s prime batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane came into action when India needed them the most. They strung 93 runs, which is the series’ highest partnership on either side so far.

Pujara scored 79 runs off 173 balls and Rahane notched 40 runs off 105 balls. Both the batsmen concentrated hard and also rode on a little luck along the way.

They ensured India didn’t lose a single wicket during the entire session. From here, on day four, India will be certainly targeting a lead of 200-220 runs first and then aim higher from there.

India will need 280+. Not as much because they will be needed as because the captain and the spinners will need them so they can be patient.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 6, 2017

Brilliant resolve from Pujara & Rahane. This pitch needed the old fashioned Test match grafting. And that's what they did. 👏👏👏👍.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 6, 2017

Superb batting in final session by Pujara & Rahane, two players who make big difference to the team even if they hardly make headlines

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 6, 2017

Pujara and Rahane Take India's Lead Past 100

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have got India back into the match with a gritty partnership. They have put on 72 runs together and this is the highest partnership for India in this series.

Pujara has been at his defensive best and Rahane has handled the spinners well with his drives and sweep shots.

India are leading by 105 runs at the end of the 63rd over.

India: 192/4.

It isn't exactly danger knocking on the door yet for Australia but this partnership is making things just a bit worrisome for them.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 6, 2017

Pujara's Gritty Fifty

FIFTY! @cheteshwar1 brings up his 14th Test 50 @Paytm Test Cricket #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/lbLGpi5HLL

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 6, 2017

Is this the first sign of the great Indian batting comeback? Cheteshwar Pujara brings up his 14th Test fifty and becomes the second Indian to score a fifty in the series against Australia.

Pujara has batted like a rock in the innings so far. He has read the lines and lengths of the deliveries very well and also is ticking the scoreboard.

India lead Australia by 72 runs at the end of the 55th over.

India: 159/4.

Good to see @cheteshwar1 among the runs. There is something immensely likeable about him

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 6, 2017

India's Lead Crosses 50

Dangerous times in the middle for the Indian batsmen again, four back in the pavilion in just one session. India 122/4 at Tea.

Back from the break though, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara are adding onto India’s total, with a help of a few missed chances by the Aussies.

End of over 44. India: 140/4, lead by 53 runs.