Twitter Reacts As Mohammed Siraj Claims A Maiden Five-Wicket Haul As Australia Leave India With A Target Of 328

By Yash Mittal

Updated - 18 Jan 2021, 02:17 PM

Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma
Mohammed Siraj claimed his maiden five-wicket haul [Image Credits: Twitter]

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Mohammed Siraj’s maiden five-wicket-haul headlined India’s bowling effort on day 04 as the visitors bowled Australia out for 294 in their second innings before inclement weather enforced a premature end to the day’s play.

With rain forecasted for days 4 and 5 and an overall lead of just 54, Australia needed a quick start from its opening duo of David Warner and Marcus Harris in the morning session. Warner and Harris survived two close calls in the slip-cordon as Mohammed Siraj and T Natarajan drew their respective outside edged and the duo capitalized big time as they cashed-in every time the pacers erred in their line and length.

As many as seven boundaries came in the first six overs of the day. The duo took Australia’s score to 0/89 in a jiffy but just as it looked like they were well on their way for a big stand, Shardul Thakur provided India with a much-needed scalp as he bounced out Marcus Harris at the stroke of the drinks break.

India, Australia
David Warner [Image Credits: Twitter]
David Warner immediately followed Marcus Harris after he was trapped plumb in front by Washington Sundar in the very next over. However, Australia’s attacking intent continued as Marnus Labuschagne continued from where the openers had left as he raced to 25 off just 22 balls.

However, Mohammed Siraj’s double-wicket over in which he claimed both Labuschagne and Matthew Wade ensured that India made another comeback in the Test match. Steve Smith, however, continued to bat unfazed by what was happening at the other end as he took Australia’s lead past the 200-run-mark.

India, Australia
Steve Smith [Image Credits: Twitter]
Smith, who stitched a valuable 63-run-stand with Cameron Green, notched up yet another half-century before he was eventually dismissed by a snorter of delivery by Mohammed Siraj. The ball hit the crack and exploded off the length, only to hit Smith’s gloves and Rohit Sharma in the slip-cordon did the rest.

India, Sanjay Manjrekar
Shardul Thakur claimed four wickets [Image Credits: Twitter]
Shardul Thakur then joined the party as he claimed the wickets of Cameron Green (fending at slips to Rohit) and skipper Tim Paine courtesy a bumper to reduce Australia to 7/242.

Siraj claimed Mitchell Starc while Thakur dismissed Nathan Lyon and soon the battle ensued between the two pacers as to who would claim their maiden five-for.

India, Australia
Mohammed Siraj [Image Credits: Twitter]
Eventually, it was Mohammed Siraj, who won that battle, and coincidently it was Shardul Thakur, who took the catch of Josh Hazlewood at third man.

However, another spell of rain ensured that just 1.4 overs were possible in India’s second innings as the day was prematurely abandoned.

 

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

https://twitter.com/Actor_Siddharth/status/1351064399340044289

https://twitter.com/denniscricket_/status/1351053611401441281?s=21

 

https://twitter.com/benjonescricket/status/1351060221599354880?s=19

https://twitter.com/benjonescricket/status/1351007925054140416?s=19

https://twitter.com/benjonescricket/status/1351009502057947138?s=19

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