India’s tour to Australia will be a successful one or not it will be decided on the last day of the Gabba test. Visitors need 324 runs in 98.1 overs to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The ongoing series has been nothing short of a thriller and the climax looks set to give a Hollywood movie a run for its money. Even if India manages to draw the Test it will put a scar on the Aussies as half of the visitors are injured.
That’s stumps with play abandoned on day four.
This epic series will come down to the final day at the Gabba…
Scorecard: https://t.co/qvYTMS1oAN #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/O99kwYMzUg
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 18, 2021
A win will see the ‘injury-ravaged’ Indians register back-to-back series wins on Australian soil and a draw will see them retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against all odds. But the pitch isn’t getting any better at The Gabba and with the odd ball misbehaving after hitting the cracks, the Indian batsmen need to ensure that they keep the scoreboard moving at every given opportunity. Buying time in the middle might not be the best idea as there will be unplayable deliveries every now and then which will have a batsman’s name on it.
With rain playing spoilsport, the Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill could face just 1.5 overs on the fourth evening before the umpires decided to call for early stumps. With Rohit unbeaten on 4 off 6 balls and Gill yet to score from the five balls he has faced, it will all be about starting afresh for the visitors on the final morning.
Earlier, it was poetic justice that Mohammed Siraj picked his maiden fifer as India dismissed Australia for 294 in their second innings – a target of 328.
A standing ovation as Mohammed Siraj picks up his maiden 5-wicket haul.#AUSvIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/e0IaVJ3uA8
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2021
The moment Mohammed Siraj broke through for his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket! @VodafoneAU | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/xZgHvrVgZE
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 18, 2021
Little Master Sachin Tendulkar heaped praise on Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur after the duo combined to pick nine wickets while bundling out Australia for 294.
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Shardul took four while Siraj picked his maiden five-for on day four of the fourth Test at The Gabba.
The legendary batsman congratulated Siraj for his feat and showered praise on Shardul saying that his performance has kept the match and more importantly the Test series alive.
“Well done Mohd. Siraj on your 1st fifer and @imShard on your important all-round performance which has kept the Test rather interesting so far and more importantly, the Test series alive,” Tendulkar tweeted.
Well done Mohd. Siraj on your 1st fifer and @imShard on your important all round performance which has kept the Test rather interesting so far and more importantly, the Test series alive. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/tXmLP2c9FN
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 18, 2021
On the other hand, Australia is optimistic about another historic win at the Gabba.
Australia batsman Steve Smith said his team is in a “nice place” in the fourth Test and stressed that they are “pumped” to regain the trophy.
“We are certainly not weathermen and do not know if it (rain) is coming. So, you have to play the game as you, sort of, see it. I think the game is in a nice place for us. The wicket started to play a few tricks today. Tomorrow it will be about bowling good areas, letting the natural variations of day 5 wicket do its work, and hopefully, we can hold onto all the chances,” Smith said after the end of day’s play.