AUS vs IND Day 4 Review, AUS vs IND Day 4 Match Highlights, WTC 2023 Final Day 4 Highlights, AUS vs IND Day 4 Match Updates, Australia vs India vs Match Updates, IND vs AUS Day 4 Match Details, AUS vs IND Day Match Scorecard.
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AUS Vs IND Day 2 Review
Australia was 296 runs ahead at the start of day 4. They had 6 wickets in their bag and looked set to extend their dominance in the 2023 WTC Final. India did fight back on day 3 but the damage that was done on the first two days appeared to be a bridge too far to cross. They had a lot of catching up to do. India needed to bundle out Australia within the first session to harbour any chances of a positive result.
We look at the defining moments of day 4:
#1 India manage to breakthrough early
Umesh Yadav started the proceedings with the ball for India on day 4. It was a surprising move as Yadav was the least effective among all the four Indian pacers. But Yadav got the better of Marnus Labuschagne in his second over of the day. He got one to move away slightly from the batter. A tentative Labuschagne ended up edging to Cheteshwar Pujara at first slip. India sensed an opening.
#2 Australia’s batters frustrated the Indian bowlers
Cameroon Green stitched a solid partnership with Alex Carey. The pair weren’t scoring at an alarming rate but their dogged resistance started tiring the Indian bowling. Ravindra Jadeja finally managed to dismiss Green with a ball that turned sharply to dislodge his stumps. Mitchell Starc then switched on the batter in him to provide Carey company.
The left-handed duo started milking the bowling as the lead swelled past 400. Pat Cummins joined the party but his dismissal eventually led to him declaring the innings. He set India an imposing target of 444.
#3 Indian openers start briskly
Rohit Sharma got going in the very first over with a pull shot of Pat Cummins. Shubman Gill then creamed a couple of drives to get the run chase going. Both openers matched each other shot for shot as India scored at 6 runs per over. They were nicely poised at 41 for no loss when Gill was controversially given out.
The evidence that came up appeared pretty inconclusive but the umpire still ruled Gill out. It was a huge setback as Gill was one of those players who could have taken the game away from the opposition.
#4 The Sharma-Pujara brain fade
Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara put on an enterprising 50-run partnership with minimal risks. But as soon as Nathan Lyon was introduced into the attack, Sharma decided to play a cute lap shot. He missed the line completely to be trapped plumb in front. Sharma burnt a review in addition to this costly miss.
Pujara in the very next over played a later upper cut. His misplaced adventure went only to the hands of the wicketkeeper as India lost two wickets for nothing chasing a huge total.
#5 Kohli-Rahane steadied the ship as Australia took the honours
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane have stitched an unbeaten partnership of 71 runs so far. Both the batters have largely appeared untroubled. Kohli in particular has looked in pristine touch. Rahane might not have been as positive as he was in the first innings but has managed to hold his end. Australia though will be delighted knowing they have dismissed India’s top order. Two of India’s top three had the potential to take the game away from Australia in a single session.
#6 The day’s verdict
Australia was quite ahead in the game when the day began. They have surely strengthened their grip on the mace at the end of the day. All they need is 7 wickets to win the trophy. India has fought admirably in the last two days. But the difference of the first two days between both sides has haunted them at regular intervals. It was yet another day when Australia walked off being the happier side among the two.
