India vs AustraliaShubman Gill hundred, Virat Kohli fifty light up Ahmedabad Test

By Akshay RameshIndia batters and Australia bowlers were involved in a gritty battle on the moving day that did not move much in the 4th and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India added 263 runs to their tally on Saturday on a pitch that was still good for batting at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Led by a brilliant 128 from Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 59, India made sure they came up with a strong response to Australia’s first innings total of 480.

India reached Stumps at 289 for 3, still trailing Australia’s first innings total by 191 runs. At the end of a long day’s play, Ravindra Jadeja (16 not out) was hanging in with Kohli as the Test is set up for an exciting last two days.

India vs Australia, 4th Test Day 3 Highlights

For the first time in the series, the action in a Test match will head into the 4th day as the series finale hangs in balance with all 3 results still in the fray. India scored at less than 3 runs per over and the proceedings looked dull from the outside on quite a few occasions, especially after the action-packed first 3 Tests on rank-turners. However, Steve Smith marshalled his troops wonderfully well, making some fine bowling changes and rotating his field all through the day. The India batters were up to the task as they were willing to play the patience game to make sure they did not allow Australia to take advantage after having posted a mammoth first innings total.

One of the two teams would have to be more inventive and put the pressure on the other if they are to go for a win on this pitch, which hasn’t crumbled as much as the curators would have expected it to after 3 day’s of play.

Shubman Gill was the star of the day’s play in Ahmedabad as the young batter hit his maiden Test hundred at home, his second overall after captain Rohit Sharma threw his wicket away for 35. Gill paced his innings wonderfully well and showcased the composure of a veteran Test batter as he did not give an inch to the Australian batters until he was dismissed in the final session.

Gill also became the second youngest Indian opener after KL Rahul in 2015 to hit a Test hundred against Australia.

Gill showcased that he is ready for the big stage in Tests by playing at his own pace and not letting the pressure seep into his knock. While he began the day on a brisk note, taking on the attack, Gill reigned in his natural instincts when run-making was difficult against the softer ball.

Gill reached his 70s in a little over 120 balls but took another 54 deliveries to move from 70 to 80. However, he cut loose, taking the attack to Mitchell Starc and eventually getting to his hundred with a risky sweep shot against Todd Murphy.

Right after Gill got to the landmark, India lost Cheteshwar Pujara for 42 as Murphy got the big fish, putting an end to a 113-run stand for the 2nd wicket.

KOHLI’S GRITTY EFFORT

However, Virat Kohli, who joined Shubman Gill, overcame a nervous start to settle into his innings and score his first fifty in Test cricket in more than a year. Kohli ended a 15-innings wait for a fifty-plus score in the longest format of the game.

Kohli used all his experience to negate the spin threat and looked to be more proactive against the pace of Mitchell Starc.

Kohli and Gill added 58 runs for the 3rd wicket, but the young opener fell in the final session to Nathan Lyon, who got one to turn sharply for an LBW decision. Gill was cramping just before he got out in the final session and it seems a small moment of lapse in concentration cost him the wicket.

Nathan Lyon did the bulk of the bowling, giving away just 75 ruins in 37 overs and picking up the wicket of centurion Gill. Murphy bowled 22 overs and Matthew Kuhnemann 13 overs and picked up a wicket each.

Mitchell Starc did the hard work, bowling 17 overs but he was far from successful, giving away at 4.40 runs.

Steve Smith delayed the 2nd new ball by as many as 14 overs but Kohli and Jadeja made sure that India had no more hiccups before the end of the day’s play.