3rd Test: Hazlewood Undergoes Scans, Doubtful for Further Participation

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood's further participation in the ongoing third Test is in doubt after going off the field with calf soreness in the first session on Day 4.

Hazlewood arrived late on the field at the start of play and appeared to struggle when he began his spell, rarely exceeding 131 kmph. His first delivery was a wide long hop, which KL Rahul cut away with ease.

Over the drinks break following that over, Hazlewood had a long conversation with Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, and physio Nick Jones before walking off the field.

Cricket Australia confirmed Hazlewood's injury and said the pacer will undergo scans to assess the severity of the injury.

"Josh Hazlewood reported calf awareness in this morning's warm-up. He will be taken for scans to assess the injury," a CA spokesperson said.

Coming into the third Test, Australia made only one change in their playing 11 with Hazlewood replacing Scott Boland. Hazlewood missed the second Test in Adelaide Oval due to side strain.

In Hazlewood's likely absence for the remainder of the match, Cummins will rely on Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne for pace bowling options.

At lunch, India were 167/6 in 49 overs after KL Rahul struck 84, completing his second half-century of the series. He was the only Indian batter who looked prepared for Australian pacers despite being repeatedly tested on the outside off-stump line. His front-foot defense and art of leaving the ball frustrated Australian pacers in the opening session.

But Rahul erred in shot selection as he played Nathan Lyon's front-foot ball on the back-foot only to find Steve Smith, who dropped Rahul on 33, at slip.

The first session of the day was a shared contest between both the teams. Australia picked up two key wickets of Rohit Sharma (10) and Rahul (84) while India managed to add 116 runs to the board in the elongated first session that witnessed 32 overs being bowled even after a short interruption due to rain.

Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy remain unbeaten at 41 and 7, respectively. India are still 79 runs away from avoiding follow-on and are trailing Australia by 278 runs.