O'Keefe keeps Aus A in control

Australia A are on top but face the prospect of what could be a tricky run chase on an intriguing final day of their match with India A in Chennai.

The home side finished a hard-fought third day on 6-265, a lead of 51, after the tourists took a massive 214-run lead on the first innings.

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Kohli hits out on his way to 45 // BCCI

Abhinav Mukund (59), Virat Kohli (45) and Shreyas Iyer (49) were the backbone of India A's second innings, while left-arm spinner Stephen O'Keefe finished the day with 3-83 and was also instrumental in a run-out.

The NSW Blues bowler got the key wicket of India's Test skipper Kohli, who was bowled attempting to launch a heave through the leg side, while he also ran out Cheteshwar Pujara for 11.

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Pujara is left stranded by O'Keefe's throw // BCCI

O'Keefe was particularly pumped up after dismissing Shreyas Iyer, who had his middle stump pegged back, with the batsman pointed in the direction of the dressing room.

Australia A captain Usman Khawaja, who took two catches in the slips, said his side's bowlers had been below par but would rebound to push for a win on the final day.

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O'Keefe celebrates bowling Iyer for 49 // cricket.com.au

"We probably didn't bowl very well in the middle session, probably didn't bowl as well as we could have all day," Khawaja said.

"But credit to the Indians, they put a lot of pressure on us.

"I still think we're doing really well. We need to have a good first session tomorrow and hopefully chase these runs down and win the game."

All wickets taken by the bowlers on day three fell to spin; Ashton Agar (1-71) had Mukund well caught by centurion Cameron Bancroft fielding in close under the helmet, while Gurinder Sandhu - who again alternated between bowling pace and spin - removed Karun Nair with his off-spin.

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Mukund salutes his half-century // BCCI

I'm not used to using this many spinners," Khawaja said. "We use our pace bowlers in Australia first and spinners, especially on the first day, barely bowl.

"It's different but I've played in India a few times, you know what you're coming into. As long as you set a field and bowl to it, the wicket does enough for you which is always a bonus.

"In Australia you have to reply on flight and a bit of guile to get your wickets. Here you can bowl at a spot and know the wicket will do something eventually."

Australia A's first innings ended early in the day on 349, of which Bancroft contributed 150, when Andrew Fekete was the last man out for 10 to give Pragyan Ojha his fourth wicket. O'Keefe finished not out on 16.

India A had been bowled out for just 135 in their first innings having won the toss and elected to bat first.

Quick Single: Bancroft 150 caps day two

Quick Single: Agar, Sandhu first day collapse

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