Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar make it a Super Sunday for India
- by Grant Boone
- in Sports
- — Jan 18, 2021
We knew their bowlers were tiring a bit.
Thakur said he used some words coach Ravi Shastri said to him before he played a match in the ODI series as inspiration.
India lost as many as 4 players who played the 3 test to injury and they were forced to play 2 debutants in a decider at The GABBA. "These are the moments you train and wait for and you could do something for the team", said Thakur, who along with Washington Sundar added 123 for the seventh wicket.
They saw off Starc and Cummins but Hazlewood was introduced into the attack and produced a brilliant over which led to Pujara's downfall. What about the six to get to his fifty.
He became the first visiting cricketer in Australia in 74 years to grab three wickets and smash a half-century on debut. If there is one word to describe the courage of this Indian team, it's Dabanng.
Earlier, India were bowled out for 336 in the first innings, only 33 runs behind Australia's first innings total of 369. In all likelihood, Australia might end up with a mammoth lead of over 100.
However, India were in a spot of bother before their counter-attacking act.
Earlier, in the morning session, India had lost Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Ajinkya Rahane on their respective scores of 25 and 37 respectively.
At that stage Australia were still ahead by 183 runs.
It was a shot that the seasoned Rahane could have definitely avoided.
He could have fallen twice in same manner in the opening 30 minutes, but on those occasions the ball flew through a vacant third slip area to the third man boundary.
But two deliveries later Hazlewood got a ball to angle in, then straighten slightly to catch the outside edge of Pujara's bat and Australia's captain and wicketkeeper Tim Paine took a routine catch.
Umpires, anxious about a damp outfield, informed an eager Tim Paine that it would be stumps after conducting their final pitch inspection at 4.45pm (local time).
Returning to the side after sitting out the third Test, Agarwal showed intent as he looked to keep the scoreboard ticking in the company of his captain.
When Thakur trapped Cummins lbw with a full ball hitting around ankle height, the Australians were in danger of an embarrassing batting collapse.
More convincing was Agarwal's six over long-on off Nathan Lyon but the best was the classic straight drive he played against Starc.
