Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India a fast start as he scored 22 off 35 balls. Jaiswal’s knock included four fours against Mitchell Starc in the first over of the Indian innings.
Scot Boland then helped Australia bounce back as picked the wickets of KL Rahul, Jaiswal and Virat Kohli in quick succession. Shubman Gillyet again played a rash shot against Beau Webster and edged the ball to Carey and departed after playing a cameo of 13 off 15 balls.
At this stage Pant joined forces with Ravindra Jadeja. While Jadeja blocked one end, Pant attacked the Australian bowlers and helped India up the ante.
Pant scored 61 in 33 balls and hit six fours and four sixes before edging a delivery from Pat Cummins to Carrey. The wicketkeeper’s knock was important in helping India bounce back in the match after they had been reduced to 78/4.
Jadjea 8 off 39 balls and Washington Sunday 6 off 17 balls were in the middle when Stumps were called for the day.
Earlier, a three-wicket spell each by pacers Mohammed Siraj and Praisdh Krishna helped India bowl out Australia on 181. Webster, making his debut in this Test, top-scored for the hosts with a half-century (57 off 105 balls).
There was some panic for Indian supporters as stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah left the field early in the second session. He was latter reported to have gone to a nearby hospitals for some scans. The pacer though returned to the stadium during the Indian innings.
The five-match series is locked a 1-1. India clinched the series opener in Perth by 295 runs. Australia then bounced back to win the Tests in Adelaide and Melbourne by 10 wickets and 184 runs respectively. The Test in Brisbane ended in a draw.
India need to win the Test to have an outside chance of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship final.
