Earlier, Ravi Shastri, who was also India’s former coach said that anything more than 350 is impossible for India to chase. Various others like Justin Langer, Nasser Hussain, Ricky Ponting and Harsha Bhogle also agreed to what Shastri told. But the highly experienced former cricketer and commentator Sunil Gavaskar’s advice to India is to play session by session. “No matter what the target is. No matter how the pitch would behave. Just play session to session without losing a wicket. If this way, India plays then 444 can be easily chasable.
India lost their first wicket as Shubman Gill edged one to the slips. Cameron Green took an excellent catch by moving towards his left and on to the ground in quick time off Scott Boland. However, that catch by Green looked not so clean. But since then it looked, India would lose two more wickets right after lunch. But this didn’t happen too soon at all because captain Rohit Sharma took all the pressure off.
He raised a quickfire 50 runs partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara after he lost Gill. Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Ravindra Jadeja still to come and at this moment, the Aussies are frustrated. However, two ordinary shots by captain Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara brought Australia back in the game.
Mitchell Starc continued to leak runs. Nathan Lyon was busy giving autographs to the crowd. Most of the spectators in the crowd feeling that the ‘ultimate Test started’. A lot of support from the crowd helping India to play aggressively.
However, Sunil Gavaskar’s advice says, “play cautiously and do not commit anything wrong, which would cost you, your wicket. Runs would come, no matter what. The Indian lineup is mostly capable of scoring quick runs, and for example Rohit Sharma played his natural game, and then a very poor shot”. Pujara tried something foolish to go for runs instead of playing the way Gavaskar told.
Shastri also praised Rohit’s approach. He said Rohit is a natural stroke-player. Just he needs to play with a bit of caution to not pull the ball up in the air too many times. He can score fours, and six hitting needs to be limited. It’s again 280 still gettable in about 90 overs on the last day. But India lost 3 wickets already.
Just two more wickets before lunch on day 5 would bring Australia back in the game again. Australia was always in the game in all the 11 sessions so far. Nothing to lose for India, and a draw also would be great from here on for India to share the WTC trophy with Australia.
