Virat Kohli On Saturday, the third day of the fourth Test between India and Australia in Ahmedabad impressed everyone with his brilliant batting performance as the star batsman scored a Test half-century after almost 14 months. Although the final Test in the four-match series has been a hotly contested affair so far, Kohli shared a lighter moment with Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith. In a video that has now gone viral on social media, Kohli was seen having a conversation with Smith, who went to check Kohli’s bat. Smith knocks the bat to check something and then joins marnus labuschagne Who also talked to Kohli with a smile.
Dinesh Karthik In the conversation, both the veterans were praised and said – “75 years of friendship, and friendship between steven smith and Virat Kohli. Two legends”.
— Anna 24GhanteChukanna (@Anna24GhanteCh2) March 11, 2023
Shubman Gill His immense talent was amply showcased with a stylish century, but India’s batting unit didn’t quite deliver as they ended the third day at 289 for three against Australia.
Gill, who batted for nearly six hours, scored an unbeaten 128 off 235 balls, hitting 12 well-timed boundaries and a six. Nathan Lyon Ahead to justify his selection in the playing XI KL Rahul But India scored only 256 runs in 90 overs.
The hosts are still 191 runs short of Australia’s first innings total of 480.
Leading 2-1 in the series, India need a 3-1 win in the series to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship.
If India lose this match and Sri Lanka win the ongoing series against New Zealand 2-0, the island nation will qualify for the WTC final against Australia.
If India draw, and Sri Lanka fail to win 2–0, the WTC final will be held between India and Australia at The Oval in June.
All eyes will be on Virat Kohli (59 off 128 balls), who looked purposeful and confident during his over two hours at the crease on the third day. There was no celebration after completing his 29th half-century in Test cricket.
speed of his partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (16 Bats, 54 Balls) Will decide the story for the last few days.
The Indian team management might be looking at batting for the entire fourth day and trying to get a lead of over 150 to get the spinners out on the final day when the turning point is coming.
So far, the pitch has remained firm but has also been on the slower side.
As the SG Test ball gets older, it becomes harder to score and Australia took inspiration from India. Steve Smith did not take the second new ball until 93 overs had been bowled, preventing India from scoring some easy runs.
But the day certainly belonged to Gill, who is currently going through a purple patch in his career.
In less than two months (from January 15, 2023), he has scored five international centuries across all three formats.
The pleasant aspect of his batting is how languid he is as he maintains his shape when he drives from the off side. He can also play sweep and reverse sweep effectively without taking any unnecessary risks.
Sensing the slowness of the track, Gill stood well outside his crease.
The aim was to complete the balls quicker as staying inside the crease would mean the ball would take an extra second to reach and in turn make it more difficult to make a stroke.
This was the reason that he scored his first 40 to 45 runs quickly but once the Australian captain got hold of Smith, he Alex Carey to make the pacer stand up to the stumps cameron green To prevent him from converting the back of length delivery into a half volley.
Gill was stuck in the 70s for a long time before reaching the nervous 90s. He was the first to step out and hit the ball over Lyon’s head for a boundary before playing the paddle scoop to complete his ton.
Adaptability is the hallmark of a great batsman and this is where Gill stands above his peers.
On tracks with pace, one keeps him next to the line of the ball and tries to ride the bounce. On sub-continental tracks, he used to put his whole body behind the line of the ball.
He made repeated moves to disturb Lyon’s (1/75) line. Todd Murphy (1/45) was easily the best Australian spinner of the day.
Australian skipper Smith did nothing tactically wrong, but it was a bit surprising not to bowl Matt Kuhnmann (1/43) between lunch and tea as he handed over the Indian captaincy. Rohit Sharma (35 off 58 balls) in the morning session.
Earlier, Sharma was seen in good rhythm while doing the bridge. Mitchell Starc Back of square for a six and good running between the wickets during the 21-over stand with Gill.
The manner of the dismissal was disappointing as Kuhnmann’s delivery was not a wicket-taker.
It was pitched short and Sharma could have hit it anywhere but his back-foot punch found Marnus Labuschagne at short extra cover.
in the matter of Cheteshwar Pujara (42 off 121 balls), the stand of 113 was crucial but he also got bogged down in the post-lunch session and a little more intent from him during that stage could see India post 300 for the day.
(With PTI inputs)
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