Former India batsman Virender Sehwag gave his views on the fourth-day action of the ongoing Test between India and Australia.
India ended day four in the driver’s seat. At stumps, Australia were 104-4, still 219 runs shy of their target. Spin spearhead R Ashwin (2-44) accounted for Aaron Finch (11) and Usman Khawaja (8) while pacer Shami (2-15) dismissed debutant Marcus Harris (26) and Peter Handscomb (14) to put India in a commanding position.
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Australia’s slim hopes now lies on how Shaun Marsh (31*) and first-innings’ half-centurion Travis Head do with the bat on the final day. Australia will have to pull off their biggest chase at Adelaide Oval to beat India. Currently, their highest successful chase on the ground in 315 which came way back in 1902 against England.
In fact, the hosts would have been well out of the contest had India not suffered an inexplicable batting collapse. India were comfortably placed at 282 for 5 before losing their last five wickets for just 25 runs.
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Cheteshwar Pujara (71) and Ajinkya Rahane (70) started the proceedings on day four. The two added 83 runs to the overnight score before Nathan Lyon dismissed Pujara. The Australia spinner then removed Rohit Sharma for just 1 before Rishabh Pant slammed 28 off 16. But he departed soon too and Rahane didn’t last long either. But Rahane’s fifty ensured India post a challenging total. So far, the target looks like a winning target as Australia have made a stuttering start to their chase.
And Virender Sehwag perfectly summed up the day’s action with his tweet, writing:
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“Firmly India’s day today and all looks set for a memorable India win. Rahane batted beautifully today and the bowlers were excellent to not allow Australia to score freely and pick up 4 wickets”
Firmly India’s day today and all looks set for a memorable India win. Rahane batted beautifully today and the bowlers were excellent to not allow Australia to score freely and pick up 4 wickets #AusvInd
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 9, 2018
India, meanwhile, are searching for their first-ever Test win on Australian soil since the victory in Perth ten years ago. Since then India have lost 6 of the eight Tests they played in Australia.