India Will Have To Dismiss Australia Under 200 Runs For Them To Win The Match: Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian opener-turned commentator Sunil Gavaskar feels that India needs to bowl Australia under 200 if they are harbor any hopes of winning the Test and the series.

Australia took a meager lead of 33 runs after the culmination of the first innings thanks to a defiant and record-breaking 7th wicket-stand between Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar.

The duo stitched a 123-run-stand, ensuring that India did not concede a hefty lead to the Australians, which at one stage looked a certainty after the visitors had lost six wickets for 186 runs.

In reply, David Warner showed signs of regaining his form as he smashed Mohammed Siraj for three fours in an over late in the day. Gavaskar reckoned that with the wicket expected to have a variable bounce on the final day, India needs to ensure that they do not let the likes of David Warner and co to get away with a flying start. He also called for the Indian bowlers to be immaculate in their line and length and skipper Ajinkya Rahane to be proactive with his field placements.

“Australia has taken the lead and if the play happens on the fifth day, you also know that the wicket can be up and down at times. So, the Indian batsmen could have a few more problems on the fifth day and they will be under pressure as well,” said Sunil Gavaskar.

“So it is necessary that the Indian bowlers on the fourth day tomorrow do not give too many runs. The captaincy should be good so that the Australian batsmen, especially David Warner, are not given opportunities to hit boundaries. If that happens, we can save the match,” Gavaskar continued.

“But to win the match, India will have to dismiss Australia under 200 runs.” he added.

Stumps on Day 3 of the 4th Test.

Australia 369 & 21/0, lead India 336 by 54 runs.

Scorecard – https://t.co/bSiJ4wW9ej #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/sQ2G15jMU4

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 17, 2021

 

Australian bowlers looked mentally tired: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar was asked by former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan if the Australian bowlers were demoralized after they were unable to dislodge the India lower-order.

Gavaskar responded in the affirmative, stating that the Aussie pacers looked mentally exhausted at the fag end of the Indian innings and it was evident from the manner in which they went about their business against the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini.

“Yes, the bowlers were looking a little tired. And in the end when Siraj and Natarajan were batting, what can you say about the bowling at that time. They were required to bowl straight at the stumps and they were bowling here and there,” reckoned Sunil Gavaskar. So, it looks like the Australian bowlers are mentally tired as well.” 

Also Read: Shardul Thakur And Washington Sundar Grabbed The Opportunity With Both Hands: Sunil Gavaskar