Day 4 Lunch Update: KL Rahul's 84 Propels India to 167/6 in 3rd Test
Click to start listening
Brisbane, Dec 17 (NationPress) KL Rahul's impressive 84 has guided India to 167/6 at lunch on Day 4 of the third Test versus Australia at the Gabba on Tuesday. The Indian team is still behind Australia by 278 runs.
The opening session of the day proved to be a competitive affair for both teams. Australia managed to secure two vital wickets, dismissing Rohit Sharma (10) and Rahul (84), while India accumulated 116 runs during the extended session, which comprised 32 overs despite a brief rain delay.
For India, Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy remained unbeaten at 41 and 7, respectively, as the team seeks an additional 79 runs to avoid the follow-on.
Australia's day did not begin ideally, as Steve Smith dropped a catch off Rahul on the very first ball, bowled by Pat Cummins. At that point, Rahul was on 33 and went on to score an additional 51 runs before Smith finally caught him at first slip off Nathan Lyon.
Starting from an overnight total of 51/4, India needed a player to emerge and display resilience, and Rahul took on that responsibility, standing out among his teammates. The Australians adopted an aggressive fielding strategy with three slips and a gully, creating openings in the covers and point region, which tempted Rahul to execute his signature drives. However, he was wise enough to hold back, only playing the shot when the bowlers delivered the ball in his driving zone, achieving his second half-century of the series.
Rahul's maturity was demonstrated in his defensive play, utilizing soft hands and keeping his bat close to his body. Cummins consistently tested him with deliveries outside the off-stump, but Rahul prudently left the ball or tucked his bat behind his pads.
In contrast, captain Rohit (10) will likely lament yet another missed chance to make a significant impact in this series. Rohit initially displayed composure, exhibiting patience while waiting for suitable deliveries to attack. However, he succumbed to a recurring flaw—an uncertain poke without proper foot movement. Cummins capitalized on this vulnerability, sending a delivery near the off-stump, which Alex Carey caught behind.
The absence of Josh Hazlewood, who left the field after a problematic opening over, lessened the potency of the Australian bowling lineup. Cricket Australia later announced that Hazlewood, who had missed the second Test in Adelaide due to a side strain, would undergo scans to evaluate a possible calf injury.
Brief scores: India 167/6 (KL Rahul 84, Ravindra Jadeja 41 not out; Pat Cummins 2-41) trail Australia 445 (Travis Head 152, Steve Smith 101; Jasprit Bumrah 6-76) by 278 runs.
