WTC final: Australia remains in control despite Jadeja double strike

Marnus Labuschagne has taken Australia's lead close to 300 despite Ravindra Jadeja dismissing Steve Smith and Travis Head in quick succession on the third day of the World Test Championship final.

After Mohammed Siraj dismissed David Warner for three and Umesh Yadav had Usman Khawaja caught behind for 13, Labuschagne and Smith (34) steadied the ship for Australia in the second innings.

But Jadeja dismissed Smith before sending back Head (18).

Australia was 124 for four at stumps on Day Three, with a lead of 296.

Labuschagne would resume on 41 not out on Saturday and Cameron Green would look to add to his score of seven not out.

Earlier, Ajinkya Rahane made a superb 89 and Shardul Thakur scored 51 as India avoided follow-on.

India was all out for 296, conceding a first innings lead of 173 runs.

Rahane's stirring partnership with Thakur revived India's hopes in the morning session after it lost Srikar Bharat early.

Resuming on the overnight score of 151 for five, India got off to a disastrous start as Australian pacer Scott Boland clean bowled Bharat.

Bharat, the wicketkeeper-batsman, failed to add to his overnight score of five.

But Rahane, with support from Thakur, fought hard for India with a defiant 109-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

It was a brilliant knock from Rahane who also completed 5,000 Test runs.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins was the most successful bowler with figures of 3/83.

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