IND vs AUS: Rahul, Jadeja and tail-enders help India avoid follow-on on Day 4 of Gabba Test

KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja struck half-centuries as India narrowly managed to avoid following on on Day 4 of the third Test against Australia in Brisbane. Rahul was the only member of the Indian top six to score more than 10 runs, collecting eight fours during his hard-fought knock of 84 while Jadeja proved his worth with the bat with a knock of 77 that contained seven fours and a six.

The two had added 67 for the sixth wicket before Rahul was dismissed thanks to a spectacular catch by Steve Smith. Jadeja would then steer India past 200, adding 53 for the seventh wicket with seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. India, however, were in danger of having to follow on when Jadeja was dismissed by Australia skipper Pat Cummins, the visitors needing needing another 33 runs to bring their deficit below 200.

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Tailenders Akash Deep (27 not out) and Jasprit Bumrah (10 not out) ensured India did not have to bat again right after getting bowled out as they steered India to 252/9 with an unbeaten 39-run partnership before bad light forced the umpires to declare stumps earlier than expected.

India captain Rohit was the first wicket to fall in the first session of Day 4 after India resumed their innings on 51/4 . Rohit (10) got caught behind after tentatively pushing forward on an outside off ball from Pat Cummins. He has scored just 19 runs in three innings on the Australia tour.

Rahul was unlucky in many ways as he got out just before Lunch was taken. The opener scored a gritty 84 off 139 balls and emerged as the only Indian batter who showed discipline against the Australian pacers’ probing line and length but was forced to leave the pitch after Steve Smith pulled off a stunner in the slips. Rahul did not get out to a pacer but fell to off-spinner Nathan Lyon while trying to play a cut shot.

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WHAT A CATCH FROM STEVE SMITH!

Sweet redemption after dropping KL Rahul on the first ball of the day.#AUSvIND | #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/d7hHxvAsMd

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2024

Hazlewood injured yet again

However, it will not be easy for Australia as they are will be missing senior pacer Josh Hazlewood on the final day of the Test and possibly for the remainder of the series. The 33-year-old bowler was forced to leave the field of play on Day 4 with calf soreness and was taken for scans.

Hazlewood engaged in a long conversation with Cummins, Steven Smith, and physio Nick Jones after bowling just one over and decided to walk off for treatment.

“Josh Hazlewood reported calf awareness in this morning’s warm-up,” a CA spokesperson said. “He will be taken for scans to assess the injury.”

Hazlewood had also missed the last Test in Adelaide due to a side strain.

In case he fails to recover from the latest injury setback, Scott Boland could play for Australia in the MCG Test that starts on Boxing Day (26 December).

Brisbane weather forecast

Meanwhile, the weather continues to play spoilsport in Brisbane as the Gabba Test is continuously witnessing stop-start play right from the opening day.

The forecast of rain on Days 4 and 5 of the Gabba Test in Brisbane might compel Australia to enforce the follow-on against India. According to AccuWeather.com, thunderstorms are expected on Day 5, with a 100% chance of precipitation on Day 4. The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted up to 30mm of rain on Day 4 and an additional 25mm on Day 5 in Brisbane.