Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has acknowledged that the Indian Cricket Team have a “hard task ahead of them” to chase 324 runs to win the fourth and final Test against Australia to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but feels they can still save the game with great “determination” at The Gabba.
On Day 4, Indian bowlers did a brilliant job by bowling Australia out at 294 in the second innings with Mohammed Siraj returning with a maiden five-wicket Test haul in Brisbane, setting the tourists a target of 328 runs to win.
Team India were 4 for no loss at the stump on Monday (January 18) in the ongoing Brisbane Test against Australia.
Well, Gavaskar said it was a blessing in disguise for Team India that they managed to bowl out Australia in the second innings and not gave them a chance of thinking about the declaration.
But he also pointed out there are a couple of cracks at the center of the Gabba pitch and it wouldn’t be really easy for the tourists to chase such a big total in Brisbane.
However, former India captain said India must get a good start from its opening batsmen Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill apart from a determination from Ajinkya Rahan and his team on Day 5 against Australia if the wishes to save the series decider final Test at The Gabba.
Gavaskar told Sony Six: “I would have thought because of what had happened in Sydney, the way Rishabh Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara stitched that partnership together and gave India a sniff. Then, of course, the unfortunate injury to Hanuma Vihari meant India had to abandon plans of going for a win.”
The batting legend further explained, “So that might have played in Australia's mind. While I was doing commentary, I was saying it would have been a blessing in disguise if Australia get bowled out so that they don't have to think about the declaration.
Yes, we have seen the highest chase over here has been 236 and that was in 1951. India has a hard task ahead of them. If they show determination, then they can save the game.
If you had seen, there were odd deliveries that were keeping low. There are a couple of cracks at the center of the pitch, not on a good length area.”
He signed off by saying, “It is going to be difficult because you don't know what have you have to do, whether you have to go the runs or defend. If Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill give India a good start, I think there will be a lot of guys breathing easier in the dressing room.”
(With India Today Inputs)
