Sydney: The spectacular knock from Virat Kohli could not last long on day 4 as he got out in the early morning before lunch. Virat Kohli was the first to go out. Kohli was caught out by Rogers off Ryan Harris’ delivery on 147. Soon Wriddhiman Saha was also dismissed within the next few overs.

Ravichandran Ashwin lights up Sydney with bat and ball

Saha was caught out at slip by Steve Smith off Hazlewood’s bowl on 35. At lunch India were 407/7 with only 65 runs added to the yesterday’s total at a loss of two wickets in quick succession. Ashwin 33* and Bhuveneshwar 3* remained unbeaten. When the play resumed after lunch it was certain that the Indians would put a tough fight.

Both Bhuveneshwar and Ashwin played elegantly to put up a much needed 65-run partnership for the eighth wicket. However Bhuveneshwar was dismissed for 30 off Hazlewood and caught out by Watson at slip. His 75-ball knock consisted of 5 boundaries. Soon Ashwin was dismissed too. He scored a magnificent half century before was caught out. This was the fourth test fifty for the Chennai lad.

With Umesh Yadav’s dismissal on 4 India’s first inning came to an end with 475 runs was on the scoreboard. Shami remained Not Out at 16. Australia successfully gained a lead of 97 crucial runs to start off their second inning. David Warner was cheaply removed by Ashwin on 4 to give the initial breakthrough at the very start of the 2nd inning of Australian batting.

However charismatic Steve Smith and patient Chris Rogers kept the scoreboard ticking at regular interval. Smith once again proved his elegance and valiantly fought for his 71 before he got out. Australian skipper is certain to be in the best form of his life. The Aussie skipper finished off the series in style and amassed an astonishing figure of more than 730 runs in the current Border-Gavaskar trophy.

Chris Rogers also scored his half century before he was dismissed on 56. This was the sixth consecutive half century for the 37-Year-Old wicket keeper. R Ashwin kept the Aussie batsman under control as the off-spinner bowled brilliantly to have 4-105 bowling figure at the end of the day’s play. This was the best overseas performance for him. Other Indian bowlers could not resist the Aussie attack. Especially Umesh Yadav was bit too expensive throughout his spell.

Aussie batsman Joe Burns played excellently and almost like a T20 cricket. He scored 39-ball 66 to keep the Aussie’s scorecard moving. At the time of stumps Australia’s score is 251/6 and leading by 348 runs. Brad Haddin is playing on 31* while Ryan Harris is yet to open his account and is unbeaten on 0*.

It would be very interesting to see how Indian team would play on day five to register their maiden win in the series or they come back home with empty hands this time. Fans want win not draw!

Tags: Australia, Border Gavaskar Trophy, Cricket, India, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sydney, Test Match