After Usman Khawaja-Cameron Green starrer Australia's continued dominant display in the first innings' 480, India showed a sign of counterattack as they are steady on 36 for no loss at the end of Day 2's play in the fourth Test in Ahmedabad on Friday (March 10). Rohit Sharma (17 off 33) and Shubman Gill (18 off 27) gave India a fine start as the hosts trail by 444 runs now.
In a must win clash, Ravichandran Ashwin's incredible six-fer helped India make a late comeback and bundle out Australia for 480 after Khawaja and Green's heroics put the visitors on a commanding position in Ahmedabad. Khawaja paired up with Green and followed up his Day 1's centurion-knock with a splendid 180 to put India on back foot. Green too hogged limelight on Day 2 with his maiden Test century as he whacked 114 off 170. But yet again Ashwin became India's savior and sent more than half of the Australian batters to pavilion riding on his sensational spell of 6/91.
Subsequently, Indian openers Rohit and Shubman walked into the pitch with just 10 overs remaining in the day to give a perfect retort to Australia in a crucial match against Australia which will pave their patch to the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-2023 final.
Resuming the day at 255/4, Khawaja and Green kept the Australian scoreboard ticking as they stitched together another 123 runs to consolidate Australia’s position. The Indian bowling unit struggled big time on a good batting track as the Australians dictated terms both on attacking as well as defensive front. Not for once the batters looked in any kind of discomfort on a track that has remained firm and hasn't shown any distinct signs of wear and tear.
After a bland morning session, Ashwin gave his marching orders to Green and Carey (0) in a space of four balls, before getting rid of Mitchell Starc (6). Axar Patel then followed it up with Khawaja's wicket, but the resilient Todd Murphy (41) and Nathan Lyon (34) added another 70 runs to frustrate India.
Green kicked off the Day 2 in style with a cracking century with Khawaja by his side to steer Australia to 409/7 till team on Friday (March 10). Green, who missed the first two Tests due to a finger surgery, batted like a pro and deposited 18 fours in his blistering knock. The dazzling duo of Green and Khawaja stitched together a 208-run fifth-wicket stand to put Australia on driver's seat. But On a pitch which still hasn’t shown signs of a sharp turn, Ashwin single-handedly got India back in the match. After picking three wickets in the second session, Ashwin took three more to get his six-fer and 32nd fifer and wrap Australia’s innings at 167.2 overs.
The final session began with instant success for India as Khawaja missed a straighter ball from Patel and was struck plumb in front of the stumps. With the pitch still being good to bat, Lyon and Murphy were able to get ten boundaries collectively off Axar (1/47), Ashwin and Shami (2/134). Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja finished with 1/89 while Umesh Yadav remained wicketless.
Rohit Sharma's brigade need to win the fourth Test to confirm their place in the WTC final which will be held at the Oval in June. Meanwhile, Australia have already fixed their berth in WTC 2021-2023 final after winning the third Test against India.
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