India vs. Australia 2020-21 : DOUBLE DELIGHT FINALE || 4th Test
India vs. Australia 2020-21
4th Test – Fri, 15th January
Gritty Indians Face Their Challenges:
India has been inundated by an endless series of injuries and may endeavour to put up a competitive XI for the final fourth Test. Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Hanuma Vihari have been side-lined from this Test. Nevertheless, Ajinkya Rahane and co have performed well in these past few weeks and would like to finish on a higher note.
There are a few worries in the bowling lineup, too, as Navdeep Saini and Mohammad Siraj, both of whom made their Test debuts previously in the tour, will have to play a prominent role in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. However, the visitors could spring another revelation result at the Gabba.
Possible playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant (WK), Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Ravichandran Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha/Mayank Agarwal, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini and Washington Sundar.
Australia and Gabba – True Winning Story:
The weight is on Australia, who failed to win in SCG despite leading the game for large swathes. However, India will fancy their chances at a series victory at the Gabba, as they have not lost a match at this ground since 1988.
The duo of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne is in tremendous form, but Australia will have to do without former debutant Will Pucovski, who injured himself in the recent game. Marcus Harris will be given a chance to open the batting alongside David Warner while the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood would like to put the SCG frustration behind them and start afresh at the Gabba.
Possible playing XI: Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Matt Wade, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (C&WK), Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.
The venue, Pitch Report, and Toss Prediction:
The fourth and final Test match between India and Australia will take place at the Gabba on Friday.
The speedsters are bound to relish the Gabba situation, as swing and bounce will be in profusion. The batters will have to dwell their time in the middle and get themselves comfortable before playing their shots.
The spin bowlers could get some considerable turn as the match proceeds; Nathan Lyon and Ravichandran Ashwin (if he is fit) might appreciate the extra bounce available off the wicket.
With the pitch anticipated to depreciate as the match progresses, both sides would want to bat first and make fair use of the situation first in what should be an exciting clash at the Gabba.
India Under Pressure:
The series is enticingly poised at 1-1; the injury-disrupted visitors need a draw to preserve the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, while Australia needs a win to retrieve the same.
Although the Aussies are the definite favourites in the series decider, the hosts will write visitors off at their jeopardy, especially after their tenacious performance at the SCG. A showboat finish possibly summons in what has been an enthusiastic series thus far.
And with the injury news, there have been big gambles on Australia. And thus, they are now nothing better than 1.38. At the same time, India is 8.25 for a victory and 4.70 for a draw.
Playing at such emaciated odds on the hosts wouldn’t be recommended, even though we consider this a match too far for the visitors. There could be trade-off options, though. A titbit on India batting first can be an option; however, it comes with a forewarning of their batters adjusting to tricky pitch.
Gill and Labuschagne:
Shubman Gill and Marnus Labuschagne have been quite impressive for their respective teams. However, they look hungry as ever to finish this series with an ideal opportunity to score big.
Gill’s ability to play on the back of the length is probable to help him attack the extra bounce on a pitch like the Gabba. Whereas, Labuschagne’s form puts him in a spot safe and reliable to bet on.
