After the end of the fourth day of fourth test of Australia vs India test series, it is almost clear that India’s hope to level the series after winning Adelaide test has come to an end. Australia surpassed India’s mammoth first innings total of 526 and took a lead of 37 runs before the host put on 563 runs losing all wickets. India batted 17 over and put on 45 runs losing the wicket of Irfan Pathan at stumps. Now, India has a lead of eight runs with 9 wickets at hand in the second innings.
Now, India has only one day left to them to do whatever they can in order to win the test, which seems to be impossible at this moment. India needs to throw a possible, fighting total in the second innings in order to lure Australian to chase. Then India can give a last shot bringing on two spinners in attack from the very beginning. At this moment it seems to be the only way open for Indian to win the match. However, at first, India has to ensure having no collapse in the batting line up, which could even allow Australian to win the series 3-1 turning the series a nightmare for the visiting sides.
Australian started the day with 322 runs for 3 as Ponting and Clarke was batting on 79 not out and 37 not out respectively. Both Ponting and Clarke reached to the three figures leading Australia to exceed India’s huge total in the first innings. Actually, what makes me surprised is that Australia played a slightly defensive which does not go with their attacking approach. When Ponting and Clarke were batting, it seemed that they are playing for draw in the match, considering the fact that they are 2-1 up in the series. Yes, there is nothing wrong about it. Even, India would do the same if they were leading in the series. However, this is not what Australia has bee doing for the last one decade. So, that is why, it seems something different, despite Ponting has earlier said that they want to win the match for Adam Gilchrist, who has declared his retirement from all forms of cricket after the end of this test.
The great wicket keeper batsmen, Gilchrist could not impress in the first innings of his farewell test as he fall to Pathan at 14. Gilchrist received big claps from the crowds and Indian players as it might be his last innings if Australian does not come to bat in the second innings tomorrow.
Rick Ponting scored 140 before becoming the first victim of Virender Sehwag, while Michael Clarke got out off Sharma after scoring 118 runs. Symonds then played a handy innings of 30. For India, Pathan, Sharma took three wickets apiece, while Sehwag claimed two wickets. Actually, Indian spinners could not do anything special which has become the major concern for India as Kumble and Harbhajan took one wicket each. Moreover, the injury of Rudra Pratap Singh brought a huge blow for the visitors. At the end of the day, Sehwag and Dravid was batting on 31 and 11.
I think this test is going to end up with a draw and there is hardly any chance left for India to win the test. India must have to be very aggressive tomorrow and their spinners have to be effective if they want to turn the things go in their way. However, whatever the result is, I want to see some exciting cricket in the last day of the fourth test.
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