Australia Just 5-Wickets Away from Winning the Second Test Against India

At the end of day 4 of the second test matches between India and Australia. The host seems to be right on top. The Australian bowlers have been out performing well under the new captain; Tim Paine, who has been on the aggressive side. As after the end of 3^rd innings the target of 287 was given to chase to the India team. The total of 287 runs is going to be a tough task on such a pitch which looks dicey at times.

Since the start of 4^th innings the Indian batting lineup were never allowed to settle at the crease for long. Wickets fallen since the first over lined as KL Rahul thereafter Cheteshwar Pujara then Virat Kohli looked to play good shots but later departed with Murali Vijay as both gave their wickets to Nathan Lyon and thereafter followed by Ajinkya Rahane and currently on crease is Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant who will turn up tomorrow for the fifth day to defend India’s defeat as the last recognized batting pair for India. Talking about Pant, he has looked good enough to play his natural strokes since the start of this series, but may be now he needs to act completely different in this scenario and be calm to stick on the crease and play for the wicket. Before Pant came to bat, Rahane made a drive which cost him his wicket as he finds the man perfectly standing at point. It was not an acceptable shot by the vice-captain as after the two strikes by Lyon, Rahane and Vihari have made a resistance and have kept the bowlers at uneasy phase to raise the intensity. They must have kept battling hard enough and ensure to remain unbeaten till the stumps are being drawn at the end of day 4. The other bowler Josh Hazlewood was bowling sharp and short of the wicket. At one instance ball climbed up steadily to Vihari who wanted to get out of the way, but the ball looked to brush his glove following to land at Tim Paine. There were silent appeals, but then Australia did not opt to refer it resulting in an escape for Vihari. One player that disappointed once again was Murali Vijay who was dismissed for just 20 runs by Nathan Lyon by the 3^rd consecutive time, making it his 8th consecutive innings in which he couldn’t get past 20.

By: Anuja Arora

Content: https://sports.ndtv.com/australia-vs-india-2018-19/live-cricket-score-india-vs-australia-2nd-test-day-4-1963497