Australia Tightens Grip on Brisbane Test Despite KL Rahul's Gritty 84
The Brisbane Test has been a rollercoaster ride so far, with weather interruptions and some stellar individual performances shaping the game. On Day 4, Australia continued to dominate, inching closer to victory despite a valiant knock from KL Rahul. At the lunch break, India found themselves struggling at 167/6, still 79 runs away from making Australia bat again.
KL Rahul Stands Tall Amidst the Chaos
KL Rahul has been the lone warrior for India in this challenging Test match. Resuming his innings on 33, Rahul displayed remarkable discipline and composure, crafting an excellent 84 before falling to a brilliant diving catch by Steve Smith at slip. Smith’s stunning effort came as a redemption after he had dropped a simpler chance off the very first ball of the day.
Rahul’s innings was a mix of patience and precision. He picked his shots wisely, favoring the square drive and playing straight when the bowlers offered width. His ability to get into strong positions helped him counter Australia’s relentless pace attack. Unfortunately for India, Rahul’s resistance ended just before lunch, breaking a promising 67-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja.
Rohit Sharma’s Struggles Continue
While Rahul stood firm, Rohit Sharma’s torrid time at the crease continued. Pat Cummins, Australia’s skipper, delivered a probing spell, consistently hitting a good length and testing the batter’s technique. Cummins cleverly set up Rohit with a sharp short ball, followed by a fuller delivery that drew a loose drive. Rohit edged it to the wicketkeeper, departing after adding just a few runs to India’s total.
Australia’s Dominance
Australia’s bowlers, led by Cummins, were relentless throughout the morning session. Nathan Lyon shouldered extra responsibility after Josh Hazlewood walked off the field due to an injury, and he delivered with tight lines and subtle variations. Cummins bowled a marathon 11-over spell, further tightening the screws on the Indian batters.
Despite their dominant position, Australia faced a minor hiccup when a brief rain interruption halted play for 24 minutes. However, this didn’t derail their momentum, and they continued to press India hard.
India’s Uphill Battle
With only four wickets remaining and a massive deficit of 278 runs, India faces an uphill task to save the Test. Ravindra Jadeja, unbeaten on 41, will need to play a heroic knock, while the lower order will have to dig deep to keep Australia at bay.
Brief Scores
- India: 167/6 (KL Rahul 84, Ravindra Jadeja 41*; Pat Cummins 2-41)
- Australia: 445 (Travis Head 152, Steve Smith 101; Jasprit Bumrah 6-76)
Conclusion
As the Test heads into its final stages, Australia remains firmly in control, while India clings to slim hopes of salvaging a draw. KL Rahul’s knock will be remembered as a shining example of grit and determination, but will it be enough to save the game? Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion of this engrossing contest
Reference from:- https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/132804/australia-remain-on-top-despite-kl-rahuls-vigilant-knock