[ninjatalli]

The key question to ponder upon (and if anyone is predicting it) is will New Zealand will be able to stop Sri Lankan from producing two back to back wins (in the series against NZ)!

Because realistically India winning the 4th match is a very very low chance now. Irrespective of whether India is able to draw the match or actually loses it, the only way SL can reach the Test World Cup final is to win both of their matches against NZ.

So far they seem to be on the likely path to win the first of the two matches. If they do win the game over the next 3 days, they'll have visibility on the Ind - Aus match outcome and they can put their 100% to make sure they win the next match.

[antz.bin]

If Sri Lanka wins both matches on their NZ tour, they deserve to go through over this Indian team.

There is a very slim chance that India can win this one. Especially since they are without the services of people like Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya and SKY who can score extremely fast on this highway.

Whatever happened to Ravi Shastri's horses for courses strategy? These guys are so intent on giving everyone a chance that they forget the basic stuff. I really hope that the batsmen we did pick make more than their customary 20s on this one or else I would be the one supporting SL to reach the WTC final and save us the embarrassment of losing it again.

[Shreyans_Jain]

Test batting masterclass being put up by Greene and Khwaja. Aussies look set to post a total of 500. India’s hopelessly fragile batting can learn a thing or two. It is pretty clear that Virat Kohli will be batting for his place in the side.

Edit: Double strike by Ashwin. Greene and Carey. Great knock by the all rounder.

[SoumenD]

This can well be the last test match for Pujara and Kohli. Failing at home conditions is the worst. They better belt centuries on this track, else we are looking at lot of changes in the next series. Even Umesh Yadav has been toothless. Giving away 100 runs in 22 overs is mediocre ODI bowling at best. Axar Patel strangely has gone almost wicket-less in this entire series, but has been a better batter than our entire top and middle order. A lot rides on him in this test, hope he is promoted up the order @no.5/6.

In another continent, SL is going great guns and look well set to upset NZ in their backyard. If India looses this, I will root for SL to qualify for the finals.

[deehunk]

Rohit, Shreyas, Kohli are on borrowed time while WK Bharat who dropped a sitter yesterday and has been ordinary with the bat is not upto the mark to play for India. Rohit just like Dhoni (after his initial glory) has failed to build a winning team and BCCI has created a pool of incompetent players.

[PPS]

Originally Posted by Fx14

Kuldeep would have been a good option to try out for a change. He did not get a chance this series. :(

Just look at the stats, Axar has been underbowled in this series! He hasn't been given a longish spell either. Even in this innings his Economy is less than 1.5rpo + we badly need his batting skills lower down the order. Barring Umesh Yadav, I don't think India have bowled badly, they've managed to keep the run-rate below 3 on a flat pitch.

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

The key question to ponder upon (and if anyone is predicting it) is will New Zealand will be able to stop Sri Lankan from producing two back to back wins (in the series against NZ)!

SL have done reasonably well in this WTC cycle. On the other hand don't think NZ has won many games in this cycle. Lets see how it plays out.

[Shumi_21]

We did well to stop Australia at 480, considering they were 378/4 at one point. Ash was superb and showed spirit to pick up 6 wickets. The seamers were poor. And it wasn't the best decision by the management to pick ~35 year old pacers for a flat track like this.

Rohit + Gill started have started well. The fact that the Aussies went for a 7/2 offside field for Starc shows that all is not lost. Rooting for the Rohit + Gill partnership to hit a double century tomorrow.

[hemanth.anand]

There is an old saying that you should never conclude till both sides have batted once in an innings. 480 in two days in this era is not quick scoring...the side batting first didn't score it easily. But for some lazy fielding, sloppy catching, and inaccurate bowling in phases, India have not let the Aussies Run away. Let's wait and watch how India respond with their batting.

My gut feeling says that this match is surely going to Day5 and there will be drama like the Ashes 2019 match where Stokes took it away from Aussies kr the recent England NZ match where NZ won by 1 run.

[SoumenD]

Good start to the day. First 100 up for 1 wicket . Yes we lost Rohit but thankfully we have Gill and not KL. Gill is proving why he is a better choice. Sublime 50 and looks in great touch. I would love to see him get a double here. Pujara & Kohli too need to chip in if we are to reach anywhere near Australia’s score.

This match will definitely reach 5th day but I hope we get a result(preferably India win) and this doesn’t end up in a draw

[Shumi_21]

There was this moment after Gill smacked Green for back to back fours when the camera panned to the Indian dugout. Kohli was shouting and applauding as usual, and then there was KL Rahul clapping. Not insinuating any bad faith on his part, but KL' s lethargic applause and his "resting sad face" combination was hilarious, as if he is seeing his chances of a comeback being reduced every time Gill hit a boundary.

[Fx14]

Against SA, WI go from 21 for no loss to 26 for 5. They somehow have a tendency to lose wickets in a heap.

[PreludeSH]

Saw the title King Kohli is back in news article. I am sure KL will be feeling down that he couldn't get this kind of pitch to come back to form !

Will be interesting to see what the plan is for India. How long to bat and how much lead to get ideally to force a draw.

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by PreludeSH

Saw the title King Kohli is back in news article. I am sure KL will be feeling down that he couldn't get this kind of pitch to come back to form !

Will be interesting to see what the plan is for India. How long to bat and how much lead to get ideally to force a draw.

Come back to form, he has been trying to come back to form for a long time now. I am sure if he was playing he would have got out here also for 2-3 runs and put the entire pressure on rest of the team. Good Riddance!

[AltoLXI]

A freak injury indeed.

SA's Keshav Maharaj ruptured Achilles tendon in his left heel while celebrating the wicket in second Test against West Indies.

Link

[AtheK]

With Iyer doubtful to bat, India will want to bat the day out, If Iyer was available they could have tried to get a quick 130-140 in last session and then try to get Australia out tomorrow. Not sure if they will take this approach now, interesting session coming up.