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IND vs AUS: Kohli's Masterclass And Axar's Determination Helps India Gather Lead Over Visitors


image-lf5bw4dtVirat Kohli vs Australia (Source: AP Newsroom)

After being in trouble during the end of 1st innings, India made a strong comeback in the second, thanks to tons from Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli.

Kohli-Axar stand continued to trouble Australia

Beginning the third session on a score of 472 with eight runs deficit, India piled on runs in the post-tea period of play as Virat Kohli who was playing on 135 and Axar Patel who was on 38, formed a solid partnership.

The duo continued to add to the problem of the visiting side as they batted 215 balls for their stand of 162, hitting occasional boundaries in the middle period.

As soon as India's score crossed 500, they started to score at a brisk rate to keep up the ante and challenge the Kangaroos with a stiff total.


Quick wickets make India lose control

Patel departed for a well-made 79 losing his stumps to Mitchell Starc after he struck four sixes and five fours whereas Kohli continued to bat till the end.

Incoming batter Ravichandran Ashwin couldn't hold for long as he fell to Nathan Lyon for just 7.

Umesh Yadav came in but got runout without facing a delivery with an outstanding throw from Peter Handscomb.

All of this became a worry after Mohammed Shami came into bat with Kohli stranded on 184 at one end because of the fact that Shreyas Iyer wasn't fit enough to come into the middle.

To the home side's luck, Shami remained undismissed but the man approaching double-hundred lost his wicket for 186 to a delivery from Todd Murphy.

With this effort, India managed 571 on the board with a lead of 91 as just about a day is left in the game.

Australia play safe in the final overs

With just 18 minutes left for the play to end in the final session of day 4, Australia sent out night watchman Matthew Kuhnemann along with Travis Head to see off the final overs. 

The duo batted for six overs till stumps without losing a wicket scoring three runs as Australia are still behind by 88 runs going into the final day.

Talking Points

  • Virat Kohli, the superstar back to his best with a marvellous 186 which is also his highest score against Australia.
  • The Kangaroos had a tough day on the field but the final session brought some joy as India lost four quick wickets bringing an end to their innings.

Expectations

  • India would be hoping to bowl Australia out as quickly as possible with just 90 overs remaining in the game.
  • Australia, on the other hand, would look to bat a considerable amount of time to ensure that they don't lose this Test.

Brief Scores:

India: 571-10 (178.5 Overs)

Virat Kohli 186 (364), Shubman Gill 128 (235);
Todd Murphy 3/113, Nathan Lyon 3/151

Australia: 3/0 (6 Overs)

Travis Head 3* (18), Matthew Kuhnemann 0* (18);
R Ashwin 0/1 (3)

Day 4: Stumps- Australia trail by 88 runs