Brisbane Test: Siraj, Shardul shine as India stays in the hunt against Australia

Siraj's five-wicket haul helped India bowl Australia out for 294 on Day Four. India needs 324 more runs to win on Day Five, with all 10 wickets intact.

Published : Jan 18, 2021 13:53 IST , BRISBANE

Mohammed Siraj registered career-best figures of 5 for 73. - AP
Mohammed Siraj registered career-best figures of 5 for 73. - AP
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Mohammed Siraj registered career-best figures of 5 for 73. - AP

Mohammed Siraj snared five wickets as Australia was dismissed for 294 late on Day Four, setting India a target of 328 to win the series-deciding Test at the Gabba.

The highest successful run chase at the Brisbane venue was in 1951, when Australia finished on 236 for 7. The Australians haven’t lost at the Gabba since 1988, but nobody is counting India out.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary

The openers faced 1.5 overs before rain stopped play for a second time on Monday and India was four without loss — one scoring stroke from Rohit Sharma. Stumps was called shortly after 5 p.m. local time, leaving India one day to try to get 324 more runs.

Siraj put down two catches before picking up the key wicket of Steve Smith for 55 in the middle session as India’s injury-depleted bowling attack kept taking the game to Australia. Australia was 243 for 7 at tea— a rain shower forcing an early break — with an overall lead of 276 and a declaration seemingly imminent.

AUS v IND, 4TH TEST, DAY 4 - AS IT HAPPENED

But the home team continued batting when play resumed in gloomy conditions in the evening session, adding a further 51 runs for three wickets.

Pat Cummins finished unbeaten on 28. Nathan Lyon, in his 100th Test, took Australia’s lead past 300 when he hooked a six off Siraj but was out soon after for 13, giving Thakur his fourth wicket of the innings and seventh of the match.

Thakur took the catch off Siraj’s bowling to dismiss last man Josh Hazlewood (9). Siraj, leading the India attack in just his third Test in the injury-enforced absence of Jasprit Bumrah and spinner R. Ashwin, returned 5 for 73 for his career-best figures.

Australia was 21 without loss overnight and cruised to 89 for 0 on the fourth morning before losing four wickets in six overs to slip to 123 for 4. Smith then combined with Cameron Green to lift the total to 196 before a sharply-rising ball from Siraj hit him on the glove and deflected away to Ajinkya Rahane in the gully.

Smith, who got a reprieve on 42 when he advanced to off-spinner Washington Sundar and Siraj put down a chance in the deep, reviewed the decision, thinking his hand wasn’t on the bat at the time. But replays clearly confirmed the dismissal.

Chipping away

Green (37) had a reprieve when Siraj put down a sharp return catch, but his 90-ball innings ended when he edged Thakur to Rohit Sharma at second slip to leave Australia on 227 for 6. Australia captain Tim Paine scored a quick 27 before he was caught behind attempting a hook off Thakur just before the tea interval. Thakur had earlier picked up the first wicket of the innings when Marcus Harris (38) gloved a catch to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant in the 25th over.

David Warner compiled 48 from 75 deliveries before he was out in the following over, trapped lbw by Washington to make it 91 fof 2. Siraj chimed in with two wickets in an over to remove Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 25 from 22 balls, and Matthew Wade (0) in the same over.

While the series is level at 1-1, India needs only a draw to ensure it retains the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

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