At the start of the day 3 of the IND vs AUS 4th Test in MCG, at 164/5, not many would have given a chance to Team India to make a comeback in the match. Yes, on the second day, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli batted brilliantly, but a collapse had India against the wall. And then, in came Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who strung a partnership of 127 runs for the eighth wicket, with the latter scoring his maiden Test ton.
Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Siraj Disappoint
As things stand now, India are 358/9 and 116 runs away from Australia’s 474. That means, the team is now in a very strong position to not only draw the match, but perhaps win it from here. But that would take a mighty effort from the team, and that would need weak-links in the series, Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Siraj to fire.
Both have been poor in the series, to say the least. Mohammed Siraj might have picked up 13 wickets but has been expensive. In 106 overs he has given away 433 runs at an average of 33, and an economy of 4.07. In the first innings at the MCG, he gave away 122 for no wickets.
India Can Win MCG Test
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma has been equally poor — if not more. The 37-year-old has scored only only 22 runs in 3 matches, at an average of 5. Bumrah has more wickets in the series, than Rohit has runs under his belt. So, if India need to cease the initiative here, and go on to win, they need improved performances from Siraj and Rohit.
Though still difficult, India need to make sure that they are not set a target of over 350. Let’s assume Australia bundle out India for 358 on day 4, they would want to score 230-240 in two sessions. If India doesn’t allow that to happen, they could be chasing a target of under 300. Wickets, will be needed not only from Bumrah, but Siraj as well. And then, it will be up to the batters to not play shoddy shots, and give the target a go.
WTC Final Scenarios for India
Just to make it clear, if India win the IND vs AUS series 3-1, they would make the WTC final for sure. If they win 2-1, then they would need Sri Lanka to draw one against the Aussies in the upcoming series. A 2-2 draw would need them or PAK to beat South Africa 2-0. In case of a 1-1 draw, Lanka will have to beat AUS once, or Pakistan will have to beat SA 2-0. And if India lose series vs Australia, they won’t go through.
