London, June 9 (UNI) Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur fought hard to help India post 260/6, still 209 runs adrift of Australia's first innings score of 469, at lunch on Day 3 of the WTC final here on Friday.
The duo sketched a dogged and unbeaten 108-run partnership for the 7th wicket. At the break, Rahane was on 89 and Shardul 36. They took blows and were beaten a number of times, but have managed to keep India's hopes alive in the game.
Both Rahane and Shardul batted almost the whole session after Scott Boland castled overnight batsman Srikar Bharat on the second ball of the day. But Rahane put his foot down as he always does during a crisis, and he had the company of the stocky bowling-allrounder Shardul at the other end.
Pat Cummins tested with some snorters soon after Shardul arrived at the crease. The Indian batsman was struck twice on his arm, and then received a couple of body blows.
But Shardul did not give up, and spanked a couple of boundaries with grit and swagger. It could have been a different essay if Australia had held on to their chances.
Three catches were spilled in the session. Rahane was lucky once and Shardul twice. The latter also was lucky to have survived an lbw decision as the TV umpire no-balled Cummins. UNI BDN SSP