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And here’s Geoff Lemon on King Kohli’s return to form…
For those who came in late, here’s a wrap of Day 4…
Preamble
Howdy cricket lovers and thanks for joining us for day five – yes, DAY FIVE – of the fourth Test between Australia and India. Angus Fontaine here to call the final day of what has been a weird, wonderful, always entertaining series.
With 1,054 runs and 20 wickets over four days, this Test has been an anomaly. Prior to this, across three matches, we’d had 91 wickets across seven days. Those Tests were played on spinning wickets but this one has been played on a road. Yes, it has given us glorious centuries by Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green on day two and yesterday a famous 186 by Virat Kohli – his first Test ton in 1206 days – but has it given us a contest? Today will give us our answer.
After Australia posted 480, India replied with 571 – a lead of 91 runs. So, with one day to play, the equation today is pretty simple, right? India must attack and take 10 wickets to win and Australia must defend those 10 wickets for a draw.
But nothing in this series has been cut and dry – except the pitches which have been cut and dried by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to maximise the home side’s advantage and scupper any chance of Australia winning.
That fiendish plan worked a treat in Nagpur and Delhi when Ravi Ashwin destroyed Australia’s batting to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But the plan backfired in Indore when Steve Smith’s men turned the tables and won by nine wickets. With the series still up for grabs, the BCCI have rolled out a road to ensure, at worst, a high-scoring draw and, at best, a series victory.
The other key factor here is the invisible “fifth Test” looming between these nations – this one to be played in London in June between the two top-ranked sides on the planet for the World Test Championship. Australia have already qualified but India need to win or draw this Test to meet them in the WTC final.
The team vying to steal India’s spot is the seventh-ranked Sri Lanka who are currently touring New Zealand in a two-Test series. They need a 2-0 victory to displace India and are currently looking good to take the first Test.
So there’s plenty at stake, not least the pride of the nations these sides represent. Will Australia attack and chase the win, however unlikely? Or will they defend to save the draw? And will India attack to win the Test? Or defend to save the draw and risk Sri Lanka beating New Zealand twice in a row?
It’s a head-scratcher alright. But the men with the answers will be out there shortly to sort it out and give us one more glorious day of Australia-India cricket, so buckle ‘em up and batten ‘em down.
English (US)