The Indian bowlers put up a top notch performance on Day 4 of the IND vs AUS Test match at Perth. The day began promisingly for India as they took Usman Khawaja’s wicket early, setting the tone for the rest of the session. The dismissal of Steve Smith further deepened the troubles for Australia, leaving them in a dangerous position. With Australia needing a solid partnership to survive, the pressure was on Mitchell Marsh and his partner Travis Head to bounce back and stabilise the innings.
Sanjay Manjrekar on what went wrong for Australia
During the lunch break on Day 4, cricket expert Sanjay Manjrekar shared his thoughts on the match so far. He focused on the pitch conditions and how they were affecting the Australian batsmen, particularly the unpredictable bounce. “Yes, you know, when you see the ball really shooting low, it plays on your mind a lot,” Manjrekar explained. He noted that this kind of pitch could cause a batsman to overthink and deviate from their technique. “They should just stick to their basics, with that big backfoot movement on the crease while preparing,” he added.
Challenges for Steve Smith
Talking about Steve Smith’s earlier dismissal, Manjrekar pointed out the difficulty such pitch conditions pose even for seasoned players like Smith. “When he gets out, it’s quite rare because you don’t see Steve Smith at the crease for short periods,” Manjrekar said. He emphasized that Smith’s approach might have been affected by the uneven bounce, causing his technique to falter.
Looking ahead to the test
As the match progresses, the focus remains on how the Australian batsmen will adapt to the challenging pitch and whether they can forge a partnership strong enough to challenge India’s dominance. The Indian bowlers, buoyed by their success on Day 4, will look to continue their aggressive approach. Fans are keenly watching to see who will ultimately seize control of the match, as both sides vie for a crucial victory.
