AUS vs IND: 4th Test – Shardul, Sundar lead India’s fightback on Day 3

At 186/6, India were in grave danger of conceding a mammoth lead against Australia on day three of the fourth Test in Brisbane. The fresh Test cricketers Shardul Thakur (playing his 2nd Test) and Washington Sundar (on debut) displayed tremendous skills and mental strength to get India back in the game. Eventually, India finished on 336 all out, only 33 runs short of the Australian total. Here are the talking points from day three.

Australia on top

Beginning the day with only two wickets lost, India needed to press on and come as close as possible to the Australian first innings total. However, Josh Hazlewood thwarted all such dreams as he dismissed India’s key batsmen. Pujara was the first to go on the score of 25 while Mitchell Starc removed captain Ajinkya Rahane. Hazlewood sent back Mayank Agarwal and Rishabh Pant to put India in trouble. At 186/6, India’s chances were fading away quickly.

Thakur and Sundar put up a strong stand

From the lowest point began an unimaginable stand that not only bemused the Aussies but also pleasantly surprised the Indian contingent. Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur both displayed their capability with the bat and played exciting strokes while pushing the Australian bowlers on the back foot. The duo completed their half-centuries and added 123 runs for the 7th wicket. Thakur’s innings which included 9 fours and 2 Sixers finished on 67 while Sundar fell on the score of 62 with 7 fours and 1 six. The remaining tail added a few crucial runs as India eventually finished 33 runs short of the Australian total.

Outstanding application and belief by @Sundarwashi5 and @imShard. This is what test cricket is all about. Washy top composure on debut and tula parat maanla re Thakur! ??

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 17, 2021

David Warner and Marcus Harris bat out the critical phase

Batting in the last few overs of the day is never easy but the Australian openers as manage to go unbeaten into the day four after India had bowled six overs. David Warner displayed his natural game for the first time in the series and added 20 runs in just 22 balls with three boundaries. Australia are currently leading by 54 runs and they need to win this Test match in order to regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.