'Indians Are In A Christmas Mood'- Sunil Gavaskar Takes A Sarcastic Dig At India's Fielding

India might be in a commanding position in the ongoing pink-ball Test against Australia in Adelaide; however, Sunil Gavaskar is not impressed with their fielding display. India dropped at least three catches on the field, giving reprieves to Australian batsmen that could have made a significant difference. Sunil Gavaskar opines that the visitors are in a mood to give Christmas presents to Australia ahead of the festival.

Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah could have had Marnus Labuschagne much earlier than 47 runs as the latter dropped a catch off Shami’s bowling in the fine leg region. Soon after, it was Prithvi Shaw dropping one off the same batsman’s willow at mid-wicket. Fortunately, Labuschagne could not cash in on the same and make a big score to give Australian the upper hand. “All I can think of is the Indians are in a Christmas mood. Giving their Christmas gifts a week early,” Gavaskar said while commentating.

Earlier, the visitors elected to bat first in Adelaide and managed 244 in the first innings on the back of captain Virat Kohli’s half-century. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane also contributed 43 and 42 runs each; however, the visitors squandered the advantage of making a big score, having been 188-3 at one stage. The tourists ended day one at 233-6 and added only 11 runs to the overnight total.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah hand India a 53-run lead:

But some relentless bowling performances from Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah did not let the Australian batsmen settle. Keeper-batsman and captain Tim Paine top-scored with an unbeaten 73 to reduce the deficit to some extent. At the time of writing this, India had lost Prithvi Shaw in the second innings.

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