Rain has forced early Stumps on Day 4 of the Brisbane Test with India at 4/0, needing 324 runs to win the match after Australia were bowled out for 294.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill came out to bat in the final innings of the series but faced just 11 balls before fresh downpour forced the teams off the field. After a wait of half an hour, the umpires called Stumps.
Australia need a victory in Brisbane to win the Border-Gavaskar series while even a draw will see India retain the trophy as they’re the defending champions.
Earlier in the afternoon, Indian right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Siraj picked up his maiden five-wicket haul, conceding 73 runs in 19.5 overs as Australia were bowled out for 294.
Shardul Thakur also picked four wickets for 61 in the 19 overs he bowled while debutant off-spinner Washington Sundar scalped one.
Siraj’s fifer was completed with the final wicket of Josh Hazlewood. The catch was taken by Shardul Thakur.
Earlier today, David Warner and Marcus Harris started on the overnight score of 21/0 and had a successful first hour of play, adding 50 runs for the first wicket before India made their first breakthrough. A short ball from Shardul Thakur and Harris gloved the ball that was caught-behind by Rishabh Pant. The opener was out on 38.
Washington Sundar bowled the very next over and David Warner was trapped lbw while on 48. He used a DRS appeal but the decision wasn't changed.
Australia went from 84/0 to 91/2 in a matter of two overs.
As in the first innings, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith then once again steadied the Aussie innings adding a quick 32 runs to the tally.
But Siraj won the battle this time, getting the big wicket of the centurion from the first innings. Marnus caught at second slip by Rohit Sharma on 25.
The new man in was Matthew Wade but he faced all of three balls before being sent back to the dressing room. It was the same over by Siraj, with Wade getting caught-behind by Pant. Out on a duck.
Cameron Green then joined Steve Smith with the score at 123/4 and steadied the innings to get the team to 149/4 at the Lunch break.
The second session started with the two continuing on as they went onto add a total of 73 runs to the team’s tally, also helping the lead get past the 200-run mark.
Steve Smith completed his half century, off just 67 balls, but then became Siraj’s third wicket of the day - out on 55.
Tim Paine and Cameron Green then added 31 runs before Green was caught by Rohit Sharma off Shardul Thakur. Out on 37. The skipper was the next player back in the dressing room after also falling to Thakur.
Paine’s dismissal was followed by some light showers which forced the players to take an early Tea break.
However, after the break, India continued to fight back as Siraj dismissed Mitchell Starc to reduce Australia to 247/8. The last 2 partnerships added vital 27 and 20 runs to Australia’s score as they were bowled out for 294 .
Siraj completing his fifer with the last wicket of the innings.
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