3 Ways India Can Score At 3.31 An Over, Win At Gabba in 98 Overs

IND V AUS | BORDER - GAVASKAR TROPHY |

4TH TEST, GABBA | BRISBANE

DAY 4 REVIEW

India bowled out the Aussies for 294 in their second innings, armed with three inexperienced Test bowlers, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar and a wobbly Navdeep Saini.

Innings Break!

Australia all out for 294 in the second innings. A 5-wicket haul for Siraj and a brilliant 4-wkt haul for Shardul Thakur.

Live - https://t.co/bSiJ4wEymL #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/RUtvFTJ8v8

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2021

Australia were expected to declare early, use it as a psychological dominating tool and encourage their famed quicks to rattle India with the 23 overs remaining to be bowled on Day 4.

That didn't happen due to rain!

Now two cyclones, Kimi and Joshua, are set to hit Australia. Cyclone Kimi and severe thunderstorms are likely to bring along damaging winds, heavy rainfall and large hail to Queensland, the state that has the Gabba in Brisbane.

This severe weather could prove to be a bane for Australia in their quest to defeating India on the final day of this Test and regain the trophy.

Experts, including former Aussie pacer and legend Glen McGrath felt that skipper Tim Paine should have declared Australia's second innings earlier than allowing India to get them all out. 

Declaring early meant going the traditional, bold Aussie way of throwing the challenge at the opposition. 

India now go into the final day with 98 overs to play, 324 runs to win at 3.31 runs an over and 10 wickets in hand. They can also play for a draw and retain the trophy.

India need 324 runs to win on Day 5 of the 4th Test.

Join us as an exciting day of Test cricket awaits.

Scorecard - https://t.co/bSiJ4wEymL #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/bPsCBzt9nM

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2021

Between the hosts' desire for victory and India's options to play for a draw or win, is the thunderstorm and rain that according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) in Australia is likely to continue on Tuesday.

Should there be 98 overs of play possible on Tuesday, here are 3 ways that India can implement and win this Test:

1. Manage, Unleash The Firepower Strategically

Cracks, demons or gremlins in the 5th day pitch notwithstanding, India possess the firepower that could successfully score 3.31 runs an over to win this Test.

They'll need to add smart strategy to the CIA (Character, Intent, Attitude) qualities they have shown admirably, starting the second Test in Melbourne.

Ajinkya Rahane, stand-in captain for Virat Kohli, along with coach Ravi Shastri would do well to assign specific roles to each batsman.

Three batsmen, Cheteshwar Pujara, Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill are adept at playing in a similar "anchor's" role or blocking one end up. 

Three others, vice-captain Rohit Sharma, wicket-keeper bat Rishabh Pant and Thakur have that explosive streak India needs in their top batsmen when chasing a total in a one day international.

This blend of attack and defence is complimented ably by Rahane and Sundar, who are better at batting at a steady pace and keep their shots along the ground.

2. Take Dhoni-Like Calculated Risk?

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's exploits at taking calculated risks when batting are legendary. He has left worthy, practical examples on how to win from losing situations.

Like him, Rahane and his men need to identify which bowlers to respect and whom to attack, when to bide time and when to accelerate, choosing the bad balls to get maximum runs and the likely batting pairs who should be in the middle during the chase. 

3. Pujara, Pant Due For 2018-19 Like Tons

Pujara and Pant, both centurions during India's 2018-19 tour to Australia have inched closer to scoring a ton in this 4-Test series.

Tuesday will be their last opportunity on this tour to get one, enter the record books as well as make it memorable for fans and India teams touring Australia in future.

Apart from these two, Hitman Rohit should stand tall on his claim of playing the role of dominating the opposition bowlers.

His journey from UAE where he led Mumbai Indians to their fourth IPL title, to the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Bengaluru for hamstring rehabilitation and onward to Australia has been well documented.

He has vowed to repeat the shot he got dismissed to in the first innings, again.

You, the fan would want him to play that shot in a manner and time that would go over the ropes to signal India's victory.

Updated scorecard here: 👉 At end of 4th day's play