[Vinod_nair]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

Fingers crossed

Originally Posted by landcruiser123

Fingers crossed.

Even commentator Vivek Razdan said he has hung a neembu mirchi on his mike

Originally Posted by suhaas307

EDIT: Ah, jeez. Pant is out on 97. He deserved a century for that batting display.

Good enough, let's hope Pujara stays till tea.

Originally Posted by samaspire

A Sehwagish innings by Pant, ends with a Sehwagish dismissal. Hope we still go for win!!!

Well done

[hemanth.anand]

5 wickets gone with Pant and Pujara dismissed.
Vihari with a hamstring injury, Jadeja unlikely to bat...so we may score another 30 runs and lose by 100 runs...the lead that we gave them in the first innings!

We'll lose this but it's a well fought match

Hopefully the next match takes place (somewhere at least) and we retain the BG trophy

[pandey.jai]

If Hanuma Vihari’s hamstrings are gone, then I don’t think he can play the next test. I think this is the end of the road for him. I don’t think he gets picked for the next series. Sad but I think it’s better for the team overall.
Bring Mayank back in and maybe push Gill down the order to the spot currently occupied by Vihari.

[vibbs]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

Hopefully the next match takes place (somewhere at least) and we retain the BG trophy

It will. BCCI has officially confirmed they will travel to Brisbane.

I think this is a very well fought innings. I am glad they decided to send Pant up the order. He breaks the monotony that Pujara, Rahane and Vihari bring with their similar batting styles.

I still think, that we can save this test match. 5 wickets in a session, I would back the top sides to bat it out.

Problem is our tailenders.

[SoumenD]

Wow a brave fight by Indians. Honestly I didn’t expect we would last this long but indeed a great effort by Pujara and Pant.

Wish Rahane contributed as well. Ashwin and Vihari have a great opportunity to prove themselves with the bat. Hope our tail wags longer than the previous two matches & we have a close finish. 41 overs to go.

P.S: After a long time watching a match run into last session of 5th day

[NPV]

Originally Posted by SoumenD

P.S: After a long time watching a match run into last session of 5th day

Test going into the 5th day was a rarity and now it's into the last session, brought some hope for a draw at least.
Vihari's injury may not allow him to bat out the session though.

Edit:Two more wickets and the innings will fold up with just our tailenders. Jadeja will bat only if necessary (if we're in with a chance to draw).

[Vin76]

The guys have shown amazing temperament and grit to take it into the third session, with just 5 wicket down. That Pant innings was in all sense outstanding and shows why the team has been backing him so much, despite his mediocre show behind the wicket.

[srishiva]

If only Pujara had added some runs along with his stay ! Its retrospective but shows intention to bat is to add runs along with staying. Puts good pressure on bowling. Bowlers are great but the pitch is not bad for batting.

Pant has reserved his place for a long time. Hope we get a draw. It will show India's determination more than the second test win !

[KPR]

Good job being done by Ash and Vihari. Stick out another 21 overs. Already they have blocked 21 overs in this partnership. I think Rohit should have put in more effort to convert his both starts being a senior player at International level. Anyway full credit to him and Gill for making good start in both innings.

[chakri400]

5 star chocolate team can rope in Vihaari for the Do-Nothing ad.

What patient innings it has been, fingers crossed - hope we survive 15 more overs

[Ananthang]

Originally Posted by chakri400

5 star chocolate team can rope in Vihaari for the Do-Nothing ad.

What patient innings it has been, fingers crossed - hope we survive 15 more overs

Are they thinking about victory now. They can afford to try that if Jaddu can play off 5 to 10 overs.

[suhaas307]

Victory is out of the question with 60 balls remaining in the session and 88 runs needed to win. Both Vihari and Jadeja are injured. It will be too much of an ask from them to chase down the total.

Aggressive batting may also result in loss of wickets. Best to dig in and see off the last 10 overs, in my opinion.

[KPR]

230 balls defended by Ash-Vihari pair. Incredible. Few of such attempts:

https://www.crictoday.com/detail/5-s...n-test-history

[NPV]

If we survive 5 more overs, it's going to be a historic draw achieved against several odds like history, statistics, probability, bad form, injury, sledging, relentless banter. The Aussie banter is like excited young kids chattering away, they're not going to leave any stone unturned.

Actually good for India Paine chatted so much and didn't reciprocate with his game, dropped 3 catches so far

[Bibendum90949]

Originally Posted by NPV

Test going into the 5th day was a rarity and now it's into the last session, brought some hope for a draw at least.
Vihari's injury may not allow him to bat out the session though.

Leaving Pujara and Cook in this decade, Dravid, Atherton and Kallis before that, there were hardly any batsman who has the game to hang in for long hours, a reason why 5 day tests are such a rarity these days.

For all those who criticized Pujara's slow batting should eat their humble pie now. If not for his customary stodgy batting, we would've have lost the match by now. Test match still is playing out time as well, a fact the fast food(T20) consumers don't quite comprehend.
What a back to the wall gritty fight by India especially with a depleted batting line up.

EDIT : India draws the match.

What a fitting birthday tribute to the Wall by team India.