Day 4 at Ranchi saw India get to a position of command going into the last day. India have already dismissed two wickets of Australia, more importantly Warner is in the hut that is big from the Indian point of view. Looking at the pitch, Jadeja is going to wreck havoc for certain. He has got a sniff of the rough outside the left handers off stump. Warner fell prey to that. Earlier in the day, India started of the day beautifully, going into lunch without losing any wickets. Cheteshwar Pujara starred from the Indian side scoring a patient double hundred and in his company Saha too finished with 117 which is priceless considering India were in a spot of bother when Australia amassed a healthy 451.
Jadeja too got a breezy 50 and that was crucial because Indians were looking for a substantial lead before close of play and a chance to get a go at the Australian openers. Virat Kohli got his wish right, Smith on the other hand was not good with his reviews today whereas the Indians were good with it. Australia still trail by 129 runs on a wicket where run scoring is difficult, especially on the last day. Jadeja has a rough and a whole lot of lefties to bowl at.
Lehmann backs Smith’s decision to only utilise Maxwell’s off breaks for four out of 210 overs in Ranchi #INDvAUS https://t.co/fzPUQ5FT8D
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 19, 2017
Lehmann backs Smith’s decision to only utilise Maxwell’s off breaks for four out of 210 overs in Ranchi #INDvAUS https://t.co/fzPUQ5FT8D
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 19, 2017
It was a frustrating day for the visitors in the tour, they would like to look at tomorrow as a new beginning. They will look at Smith to bail them out of this position and he has the ability to do so. But he would need support from Handscomb, Renshaw and Maxwell.
.@ARamseyCricket on the challenge facing the Aussies on day five in Ranchi: https://t.co/9tJfRY1CP7 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/Q5kPlEbucN
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 19, 2017
Also India would be hoping to see the back of Steven Smith as early as possible. It is poised to be a riveting contest on the last day of the Test. There are two possibilities now, an Indian win or a tame draw.
199 runs & 317 minutes later. The partnership continues on and off the field @Wriddhipops & @cheteshwar1 #TeamIndia #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/iyCFlnDAEG
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 19, 2017
