BGT 2023 Test 4th Day 1 Review
Australia’s win in the third Test added a whole new dimension to the Border-Gavaskar trophy. India needs a win in the fourth and the final Test to assure themselves a spot in the WTC finals. Let us look at the Details on BGT 2023 Test 4th Day 1 Review.
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The pitch that has been a constant topic of debate was under the scanner in Ahmedabad too. No team had a clue about how the pitch will unfold. Steve Smith, the Australian captain for this Test too felt this could be the best batting surface on the whole tour.
We review the first day’s play of the fourth Test:
#1 India lost an important toss
Unlike the first three Tests, the toss in this Test might prove to be crucial. The pitches in those venues offered spin right from ball one. Hence the toss wasn’t that big a factor. But the wicket in Ahmedabad was in stark contrast to the surfaces so far. It was a placid wicket that offered little assistance to the bowlers. The pitch is expected to slowly wear down as the game progresses. India who will be batting fourth on this wicket will have their task cut out.
#2 Erratic pace bowling
India just made a single change to their playing XI. They bought Mohammad Shami in place of Mohammad Siraj. But both Shami and Umesh Yadav made zero impact with the new ball. It took them almost 6-7 overs to hit the straps. On a track where there was little margin of error, Indian pacers leaked crucial runs with both the first and second new ball.
#3 Usman Khwaja crosses the ton barrier
Australian opener Usman Khwaja had been threatening to score a big hundred but had failed so far. He finally crossed the century barrier as he scored a high-quality hundred. It might have lacked the flair of his other previous centuries. But it was an inning that was dipped in patience, grit, and class.
#4 Cameroon Green and the supporting cast
India sensed an opening for the first time in the Test having nipped out Smith and Peter Handscomb post the tea break. But Cameroon Green after seeing through a tough phase with the old ball scored briskly against the second new ball. His counterattacking cameo put Australia right back into the driver’s seat. It was Travis Head earlier who played a typically breezy knock setting up the early momentum for the Aussies.
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#5 A day replete with mixed bags
India conceded the first hour but clawed their way back in the second hour. They picked the crucial wicket of Head and Marnus Labuschagne to retain some control. Australia didn’t lose a single wicket in the second session but didn’t push the tempo enough.
India to their credit plucked out two wickets immediately after the tea break. They kept both Khwaja and Green on a tight leash. But the decision to take the second new ball backfired big time on India. Australia scored 54 runs without losing a wicket off the last 9 overs. They finished the day at 255-4 with two set batsmen at the crease.
#6 The verdict and the wish
It was undoubtedly Australia’s day but the game hasn’t completely drifted from India. But they surely need something special from all three departments of their game to stand a chance of not just winning the series but booking the tickets for the WTC finals.
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