India vs Australia 4th, Test Dharamsala, Lunch Report: Smith-Warner score fifty, dominate first session of virtual final

Steven Smith hits the 21st career 50 while David Warner scored the 24th fifty of his career and 1st of this series

By: Aakash Biswas |
March 25, 2017 11:49 am

In the fourth and the last test match of India vs Australia Border-Gavaskar trophy in Dharamsala was already hit by an unfortunate piece of new which stated that skipper Virat Kohli will not be a part of playing eleven. So, on the March 25, it was Ajinkya Rahane who was seen on the field with Aussie skipper Steven Smith for the toss. Team India lost the toss for the third time in the series and like Pune and Ranchi Test, Smith chose to bat first.

Team India, already suffering the loss of Kohli, had two important changes in the team which included Bhuvneshwar Kumar in place of Ishant Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav replacing Virat Kohli. While the guests remained unchanged.

ALSO READ| India vs Australia Live Cricket Score, 4th Test Match, Day 1 at Dharamsala

Like the previous games, David Warner and Matthew Renshaw opened the innings while Bhuvneshwar Kumar begun the Indian bowling attack. The Aussies could have been reduced to o/1 if Karun Nair had taken the catch at the second slip when ball kissed avid Warner’s bat’s edge and went in the air towards Nair. He couldn’t grab the ball and instead of a wicket, Bhuvneshwar conceded a boundary in the very first ball.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli was also seen on the field. He didn’t come to play but he brought drinks for the playing Indian Team. He not only came with the bottles in his hands and yellow cover on his jersey but he also had an exchange of few words with his teammates. He was not in action today but it was clearly visible that how much he was missing the feel of being on the field.

Despite having a risky but yet good start, the opening pair couldn’t survive too long. In the very next over, Umesh Yadav dismissed Matt Renshaw at an individual score of 1. Renshaw couldn’t get the ball correct and got bowled. Umesh Yadav wasn’t trying for a swing but the pitch did its job.

Next cameSteve Smith at number 3 who took the charge and tried to get settle down on the track as soon as possible and brew a healthy partnership with David Warner. Smith led from the front just like a boss and started playing aggressive shots right from the beginning. He hit several boundaries and reached his 21st career 50.

On the other end, Warner didn’t fall short in destroying the Indian bowling attack and played in his own way which was missing in the series till now. Hitting several boundaries and a six to R Ashwin, Warner hit the 24th fifty of his career and 1st of this series in the 29th over. His half-century came off in 72 balls.

At the lunch break:

Australia: 131/1, Warner: 54 (79) ; Smith: 72 (101)

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