India chip away at Australia’s lead after Shubman Gill century in final Test

11.03.2023 - 15:41 theguardian.com

The fourth Test could be heading towards a draw after exciting opener Shubman Gill blasted a superb century to push India to 289-3 at stumps on day three against Australia.

After starting Saturday on 36-0, India had few problems handling the best batting pitch of the series and went about chipping away at Australia’s 480 in Ahmedabad.

Gill’s 128, a career-best score and his second Test ton, allowed the hosts to settle in and bat in good conditions to trail Australia by 191.

In another boost for the fans at the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium, Indian icon Virat Kohli made a welcome return to form to end a 15-innings drought without a Test fifty.

cricket bowling Test Cameron Green Rohit Sharma Australia India Bangladesh Ahmedabad

Hardik Pandya haulted Australia's fine start in the third ODI with three crucial wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. With the series tied at 1-1, Australia opted to bowl in the decider. Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, who fired Australia to a 10-wicket win in the previous match, once again opened the innings for Australia. The pair added 68 runs for the opening wicket before Hardik provided India with a breakthrough, dismissing Head on 33. However, prior to his dismissal, Head received a huge reprieve as Shubman Gill dropped an easy catch off Hardik's delivery.

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Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh feels Tim David and Cameron Green will have to fill in the shoes of Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya for Mumbai Indians, if the five-time champions want to taste success in the upcoming Indian Premier League. Stressing on the fact that a positive start to the tournament is paramount for success, Harbhajan told Star Sports: "Well, they (David and Green) will be successful if Tim David can do the same thing that Pollard was doing and whether Green can do what Hardik was doing.

Watch: Mohammed Shami Keeps His Cool Despite Shubman Gill Dropping Catch On His Bowling

Mohammed Shami bowled a brilliant spell on Friday as he helped India bundle out Australia for 188 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series. India's stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bowl first. Mohammed Siraj dismissed Travis Head to provide the hosts the first breakthrough. Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh then joined hands and added 72 runs for the second wicket. Smith was dismissed by Hardik Pandya before Ravindra Jadeja got the better of Marsh. Kuldeep Yadav then dismissed Marnus Labuschagne as Australia went four down.

India's Predicted XI vs Australia, 1st ODI: With Ishan Kishan And Shubman Gill Confirmed, Will KL Rahul Get A Chance?

After clinching the four-match Test series of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia 2-1, Team India is all set to face the same opponents again in a three-match ODI series. The first match of the series will be played on Friday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. As skipper Rohit Sharma will be unavailable for the first match due to his family commitments, all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be donning the skipper's cap. Team India's last outing in the 50-over format was against New Zealand, where they clinched a 3-0 clean sweep. As the first ODI against Australia is just about to begin in less than 24 hours from now, it will be interesting to see that who will be getting a place in the playing XI.

Watch: Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara Bowl For India, Sunil Gavaskar's Comment Is Gold

Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara both turned bowlers for India in the final overs on Day 5 of the fourth Test match against Australia in Ahmedabad on Monday. With the match headed for a draw, India skipper Rohit Sharma opted for unconventional bowling choices, but the duo did not disappoint as commentators were left impressed by their discipline. While Shubman Gill kept bowling on the stumps with his off-spin, Pujara's action and bowling style reminded former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar of legendary Australia spinner Shane Warne. Both players bowled one over each in the final session.