AUS vs IND Day 4 Preview, AUS vs IND Day 4 Match Details, WTC 2023 Finals Day 4 What to expect?, What to expect from AUS vs IND Day 4 Match?, Australia vs India Day 4 Preview, World Test Championship Day 4 Update.
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India had their backs to the wall at the start of day 3. They were a significant distance behind the follow-on mark with half their side back in the pavilion. The pitch had progressively become difficult with balls rearing up from a length. There was a distinct possibility that the game might fold up on day 3 itself. It was up to India to take the game to the next day. They did manage to hang in there stretching the game to day 4.
We look at what day 4 of the WTC Final has in store for us:
#1 India’s rearguard action
The WTC has seen a strange shift in Indian cricket. India’s middle and the lower middle order have punched above their weight on far too many occasions. This may be a reason to rejoice but the lack of runs from their top order is worrying. India at 152-6 early into day 3 could have well been asked to follow on. But Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur took India past 270. India was bowled out for 296 handing a lead of 173 runs to Australia. The deficit could have been bigger and the gap between the two sides wider if not for this partnership.
#2 Australia was tentative until Smith arrived
Indian bowlers along with the fielding unit put on a show with the new ball, especially until tea. They could muster just the solitary wicket of David Warner but Australia strangely appeared to be tentative. It felt as if India was ahead when the numbers painted a different story. The arrival of Steve Smith post-tea titled the momentum back in Australia’s favour. Smith was proactive in finding runs and kept pushing the gaps. In a moment of poor shot selection, Smith threw away his wicket and helped the Indian side to believe once again.
#3 What is the target and the time Australia will be looking at?
Australia will start day 4 with a huge lead of 296 runs. The pitch is playing all sorts of tricks with now even spin coming into play significantly. Any lead over 350 is a bonus on this track but Australia would want a cushion of something over 425-450. They will ideally look to take on the bowling after the first few overs in the morning session. Australia will want to declare midway into the day tiring the Indian team and leaving them with an improbable total to chase. They would want four and a half sessions as safety to bowl out the Indian team.
#4 Can India take the game till day 5?
It might not be of consequence in the end but India’s fightback on day 3 gave the fans something to take away. They came up with a spirited response in the second innings but still conceded 120-odd runs to pick up 4 wickets. India would need someone to blow away the middle order and the tail for a bare minimum. But none of the bowlers have shown enough spark to conceive that possibility. If India allows Australia to dictate terms on day 4 then they could be staring at a big defeat. Once again the onus is on India to set the game in the right motion.
