Legendary Sunil Gavaskar feels India has missed an opportunity by allowing Australia’s lower order to add valuable runs, making it difficult for the visitors to win the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Legendary Sunil Gavaskar feels India has missed an opportunity by allowing Australia’s lower order to add valuable runs, making it difficult for the visitors to win the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Australia, struggling at 156 for 8, finished the fourth day at 228 for 9, taking their lead to 333 and setting up an intriguing final day.
“I think it was a missed opportunity because till tea time, it was certainly India’s day, and after tea time, (Pat) Cummins, (Nathan) Lyon, and (Scott) Boland frustrated the Indian bowlers. Having a 333 lead makes it a little difficult for India to win this game,” Gavaskar told India Today.
We just have to concentrate and hope that the last wicket India takes very quickly because I don’t think Australia is now going to declare so soon. Right now, they want to ensure they bat India out of the game. If they can bat India out of the game, they can put attacking fielders and try to win.
Asked if India can still win, Gavaskar said: “If you go back to what happened in 2021, we chased down 329 on the last day at the Gabba. So we may have got to get off to a flying start as Virender Sehwag did then. The start is going to be very crucial. Gavaskar said India should not look too far ahead at the target and should plan the chase according to the hours. He added that skipper Rohit Sharma’s role in providing a solid start will be key.
This is a situation where he can give the team a fabulous start, just like Sehwag did in that chase in 2008 against England when India chased down 387. He made it easy for the Indian batters. So clearly, I think a good start, like I said, would be absolutely a godsend.
