Rain fills in for failed Indian top-order, Bumrah-Akash 55-ball stand crushes Australia’s goals

In what was nothing short of a riveting display of Test match cricket — a struggling Team India managed to get past the “follow on” mark of 246, again on a rain curtailed day 4 of IND vs AUS, 3rd Test. The stars of the day for the visiting side were KL Rahul (84) and Ravindra Jadeja (77), who missed out on deserved 100s, but nonetheless, took India to a respectable total of 252/9 at stumps.

Apart from the fifties from these two players — No. 10 & No. 11 — Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep ensured India strung an unbeaten partnership of 39 for the last wicket, to frustrate Josh Hazlewood-less Australia. The highlight of the innings came when Bumrah pulled Pat Cummins for a six over mid-wicket, despite being in full flow.

But despite the major amends, the day still belonged to “rain”. A sizeable amount of first and the second session were lost in the day due to rain. Aussies could not have a full tilt bowling at Indian batters, at any point in time. And every time they came on the park, batting had become relatively easier, since the ball had lost its zing.

Having said that, a man down, Cummins rotated his bowlers well — with him returning with figures of 4/80, and Mitchell Starc with figures of 3/83. Nathan Lyon bowled 21 overs in the day and could only manage 1/54 for his efforts. With just last day of IND vs AUS, 3rd Test remaining, and with the hosts having to bat again, when the last Indian wicket falls, there is only one possible outcome of the match — a draw.