AUS vs IND: 4th Test – Intriguing fourth day finishes with all eyes on weather
324 runs. 10 wickets. Rain. These are the three factors which everyone will have in mind when the fifth day’s play will start. The Border Gavaskar Trophy is up for grabs and clearly, Australia will go on an all-out attack to regain it. On the fourth day, the hosts showed clear intent scoring quick runs to extend their lead.
But India kept picking wickets to slow down the run-rate. The battle continued the same way until Australia got bowled out for 294 runs to set India a target of 328 runs. The visitors ended the day on 4/0 in 1.5 overs before the rain returned and eventually, the umpires decided to call stumps. Here are the talking points of the day:
Australian top-order scoring runs with intent
Australia’s top four showed intent from the word go by scoring quick runs. They were clear to make India bat again at some point later in the day. David Warner scored 48 runs while Harris mustered 38 runs before getting out in quick succession. But that didn’t deter Marnus Labuchagne and Steve Smith who continued playing their shots. The duo scored 25 and 55 runs respectively and despite all of them getting out after starting the innings well, their intent led to Australia scoring at almost 4 runs per over and setting a target for India.
Mohammed Siraj five-wicket haul
Mohammed Siraj, after landing in Australia, lost his father back home and the cricketer decided to stay on with the team. And he has definitely made his father proud with his performance. Siraj took his maiden five-wicket haul dismissing the likes of Labuschagne, Smith, Wade, Starc and Hazlewood in the second innings. He returned with the figures of 5/73 and ended with 13 wickets in the series.
Mohammad Siraj’s maiden five-fer pic.twitter.com/NFA3mDtjRg
— ✊? (@paddlesweep_) January 18, 2021
Shardul Thakur warned by umpire
This was an interesting incident which happened in the final session of the day. Shardul Thakur was bowling back to back bouncers to Australia’s tailenders and much to everyone’s surprise, the umpire Bruce Oxenford interfered to warn him for his intimidating bowling. It was certainly a surprise for many as none of the Australian bowlers were warned earlier for bowling similar kind of deliveries at India’s tailenders. There could’ve been an issue of light but it didn’t go down well with the Indian fans who were quick to point it out.
