Axar Patel left no hopes for Australia’s win on Day 3 of the first Test in Nagpur by slamming a well-constructed 84. He received apt support from the pacer Mohammed Shami (37 off 47 balls) as India piled on 400 in their first innings, stretching their lead to a massive 223 runs. India started at 321/7, hoping to extend their lead to more than 200 runs when Jadeja shouldered arms to a Todd Murphy delivery that went straight with the arm to crash into his off stump.

Axar and Shami, however, made a partnership of 52 runs for the 9th wicket to almost put Australia out of the game. Shami made full use of the opportunity and hit three sixes and two fours to race to 37. He was finally caught out in the 133rd over to become the 7th victim of debutant Murphy.

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Reacting to India’s dominance in the first session of the third day, former cricketer Ajay Jadeja said the hosts rubbed salt and lemon into Australia’s wounds. During a chat on Cricbuzz, he said, “The first two days were agony, they (Australia) were burnt and hurt. But today, in this first session, India rubbed lemon and salt into those wounds.”

The former Indian batter said there were certain chances of India to register innings win as it will be difficult for Australia to cope with the turn-on offer for the Indian spin troika -Ashwin, Jadeja, and Axar.

Ajay Jadeja said, “When they were bowled out for 177, I had said that I would be surprised if India are needed to bat twice. After the first session on Day 2, it looked like Australia were making a comeback but after Lunch the way India have dominated, it will also leave its impact psychologically on the Australians. The one little thing that went in Australia’s favor was that Lunch was taken when the last Indian wicket fell, otherwise their openers would have had to rush in.”

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Ravindra Jadeja heaped praise on Axar Patel for coming in at No.9 and playing a crucial knock. He added, “He has performed very well of late with the bat. The pitch is not that easy. The way Rohit batted, Axar did the same. He made the wicket look easy. If Ravindra Jadeja took 30-40 Tests to come out as a batter, he has done it only in 3-4 Tests.”