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Day 4 started at a sour note for Australia. First, Steve Smith dropped a sitter on the very first ball of the day giving KL Rahul a lifeline. Then, Josh Hazlewood left the field after bowling just one over. Hazlewood is unlikely to bowl for the rest of the Test due to calf issue. In his absence, a draw looks imminent. Smith is clueless about how the hosts will beat India in Gabba with two speciallist pacers, one spinner.
"No idea, we'll find out once we get them out and see what happens," Smith said on Day 4 in an interaction with 7Cricket after the first session.
"Possibly, I don't know the answer to that though. And generally, you're feeling as if you're well on top of this game still," he added.
In the hot and humid conditions at The Gabba, Smith feels it is tough for the bowlers.
"Yeah, we're in a good spot. Yeah, I think it's probably flattened out a little bit with this older ball. But yeah, Gaz has bowled nice and yeah, it's pretty warm. So pretty challenging conditions out here for the boys, particularly with the bowler down," the 35-year-old said.
Smith one taking blinder to dismiss Rahul
Smith made up for the dropped catch by taking a one-handed stunner to dismiss Rahul. The opener who was given a reprieve at 33 went on to score 84 runs. Smith was happy that he could help Australia break the partnership with Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja.
"Yeah, dropped the easy one early, unfortunately it got a bit big on me, but nice to pull that one off. It was obviously a pretty crucial partnership to break at that stage, nice to hold on to it," he said.
Earlier in the Test, Smith scored his first century of 2024 in the format. He also equalled England batter Joe Root's record for most Test centuries against India. Smith was asked whether he rewarded himself with a chocolate bar like he usually does after scoring a century.
"That's correct. Caramel marmalade," he replied.
Gabba Test headed for a draw?
After Rahul, Jadeja scored his half-century as well. With rain interruptions and only a day more left in the Gabba Test, India will look to draw the Test and add four points to their kitty in World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings.
