India vs Australia, Highlights, 4th Test at Brisbane, Day 1, Full Cricket Score: Hosts finish day at 274/5

After 87 overs,Australia 274/5 ( Cameron Green 28 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 38)

Siraj to bowl the final over of the day. Mix up between the batters off the second but thankfully, no damage is done, a comfortable double there. The third delivery is a nip backer, Green happy to leave it. A wild bouncer off the last. Australia finish Day 1 at 274/5.

After 86 overs,Australia 271/5 ( Cameron Green 25 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 38)

Natarajan into his 20th over. Paine crunches the ball through the covers off the second while Green collects two boundaries in the over. The left arm seamer bowled short and wide on both occasions. 12 runs off the over.

After 85 overs,Australia 259/5 ( Cameron Green 20 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 31)

Siraj continues from one end. Ideally, India would have loved to bundle out the Aussie today. That, however, seems unlikely now. Still, a couple of wickets will be good. Maiden over from Siraj as Green either leaves or defends.

After 84 overs,Australia 259/5 ( Cameron Green 20 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 31)

Natarajan continues. And he will relish bowling with the new, hard ball. The extra bounce he has extracted has led to the dismissal of two Aussie batters. Paine pulls the second for a boundary before getting beaten off the next. The ball nearly took his outside edge there. Another four in the over, off the fourth, but this time Paine puts in the hard yards and runs them. Eight runs off the over.

After 83 overs,Australia 251/5 ( Cameron Green 20 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 23)

Mohammed Siraj returns to the attack. Starts off with two dots followed by an absolute peach off the third, the ball nearly taking the outside edge of Green’s bat. The all-rounder played for the inswing there but it held its line. Maiden over from Siraj.

After 82 overs, Australia 251/5 ( Cameron Green 20 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 23)

India have opted for the new ball. Seems like a wise decision. T Natarajan takes the ball and tries to bring the ball into Green. The all-rounder tucks the ball towards mid on for a single off the last, the only run in the over.

After 81 overs,Australia 250/5 ( Cameron Green 19 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 23)

The second new ball is available. India, however, do not opt for it. Paine defends the first five deliveries before collecting a boundary off the last, courtesy a well-timed backfoot punch. Four runs off the over.

After 80 overs,Australia 246/5 ( Cameron Green 19 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 19)

Shardul into the 18th over. A chance for caught and bowled as Green hits it straight. The disappointment is evident from the pacer’s reaction, he did get a hand to it as well. Superb delivery to end the over, Green let that one go and trusted the bounce but it was really close to the stumps. Fifth maiden over for Shardul.

After 79 overs,Australia 246/5 ( Cameron Green 19 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 19)

Sundar continues. He has mostly stuck to the middle and leg line. Probably waiting for the batsman to miscue one since the field is adjusted accordingly. Paine collects a double off the penultimate delivery and tickles the final ball towards fine leg for a boundary. The Paine-Green partnership is worth 33 at the end of the over.

After 78 overs,Australia 240/5 ( Cameron Green 19 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 13)

Thakur returns. Paine clips the first towards cow corner for a triple. Triples are quite common in Australia, thanks to the bigger boundary dimensions. The Gabba is no different. Green defends or leaves the remaining five deliveries. Second new ball due in 2 overs.

After 77 overs,Australia 237/5 ( Cameron Green 19 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 10)

Sundar continues to operate in tandem with Shardul. The off spinner has bowled fairly straight, not given the ball much flight. Just one run off the over. 13 overs left for the day.

After 16 overs,Australia 39/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 8 , Steven Smith 15)

Shardul into his 16h over. He is getting to ball to move away from the right handers. Superb fielding by Siraj off the second delivery, puts in a full-length dive at short extra cover and saves a certain boundary. Just a single there. India cannot afford to take the two batters lightly. Saini’s out, so they’re one bowler short.

After 75 overs,Australia 235/5 ( Cameron Green 19 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 8)

Sundar continues. Green continues to fancy the straight boundary, reaches the pitch of the ball and powers the first down the ground for a four. Six runs off the over.

After 74 overs,Australia 229/5 ( Cameron Green 14 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 7)

Shardul returns to the attack. The seamer is definitely getting the ball to move around. There’s movement in the air and Paine is watchful. Good bowling and that’ll be his fourth maiden over of the day.

After 73 overs,Australia 229/5 ( Cameron Green 14 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 7)

Sundar into his 18th over. He has been able to extract some good bounce from the surface. Green, meanwhile, has got nicely behind the line of the ball and played most of the deliveries with the straight bat. Just one run off the over.

After 72 overs,Australia 228/5 ( Cameron Green 14 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 6)

Natarajan continues. The first delivery angles into Green’s pads, the towering all-rounder shows it the full face of the blade and takes a triple. Siraj ran a fair bit and did well to cut that off. Four runs off the over.

After 71 overs,Australia 224/5 ( Cameron Green 11 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 5)

Sundar returns to the attack. Strays on the pads off the first and Paine helps the ball towards fine leg for a four. Two singles off the remaining deliveries.

After 70 overs,Australia 218/5 ( Cameron Green 10 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 0)

Natarajan continues. Green sneaks a double after playing three dots. A no ball from Natarajan off the next as Green gets an inside egde behind square on the leg side and takes a double. An absolute peach of a delivery off the last as the left-arm seamer beats Green’s outside edge. Three runs off the over. Time for the drinks break.

After 69 overs,Australia 215/5 ( Cameron Green 8 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 0)

Siraj into his 16th over. He has mostly been on the shorter side as far as his length is concerned. The ball has got older now. Someone like Saini could have come in handy since he’s the fastest among the Indian seamers. The update from BCCI is that he has been sent for scans on his groin niggle. A maiden over from Siraj.

Hopefully there is nothing serious for Saini

UPDATE - Navdeep Saini has now gone for scans.#AUSvIND https://t.co/pN01PVnFfx

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2021

After 68 overs,Australia 215/5 ( Cameron Green 8 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 0)

Natarajan continues. He made a name for himself in the IPL with his inch-perfect yorkers. Clever change of pace by the left arm seamer off the fifth ball but Green played it with soft hands. Just two runs off the over.

After 67 overs,Australia 213/5 ( Cameron Green 6 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 0)

Skipper Paine joins Green at the crease as Siraj bowls a maiden over. The confidence starting to reflect now post Labuschagne’s departure. Two new batsman at the crease, how quickly can India wrap things up here?

After 66 overs,Australia 213/5 ( Cameron Green 6 , Tim Paine (C) (W) 0)

Natarajan comes into the attack. Concedes a boundary off the first but takes his revenge against Labuschagne, who fails to get on top of a rising delivery and top edges the penultimate delivery. Pant completes a simple catch. Six runs and a wicket off the over. India back in the game. The wicket of centurion Labuschagne will certainly boost the visitors’ confidence.

After 65 overs,Australia 207/4 ( Marnus Labuschagne 102 , Cameron Green 6)

Siraj continues from one end. Starts off with two dots, a good length delivery followed by a full delivery outside off to Labuschagne. Green announces his arrival at the crease with a majestic straight drive that fetches him a boundary. Seven runs off the over.

After 64 overs,Australia 200/4 ( Marnus Labuschagne 101 , Cameron Green 0)

Natarajan returns to the attack and picks up his maiden wicket. Removes Wade after bowling a rising delivery, the left hander holes out to Thakur inside the inner ring. Can India open up one end from here? Green joins Labuschagne at the crease. Two runs and a wicket in the over. Good over this.

After 63 overs,Australia 198/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 101 , Matthew Wade 43)

Siraj into his 13th over. Can the two-Test old, leader of the Indian pace attack, make a difference. Not really as he gets whacked for two boundaries from the blade of Labuschagne, who completes another deserved century. Nine runs off the over.

After 62 overs,Australia 189/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 97 , Matthew Wade 38)

Shardul continues. Bowls five dots on the trot before Labuschagne drives him down the ground for a four.

After 61 overs,Australia 185/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 93 , Matthew Wade 38)

Siraj returns to the attack. Smith hasn’t got going barring that century in the last Test but Labuschagne has risen to the occasion in the Test series. India have struggled to crack the code as far as dismissing him is concerned. Labuschagne plays the off drive off the first and sneaks a triple on that occasion. Shardul comes round the wicket after the third. Wade collects two doubles in the last three deliveries, so runs coming at a good pace. Seven runs off the over.

After 60 overs,Australia 178/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 90 , Matthew Wade 34)

47 runs conceded in the last 10 overs, showing how Labuschagne and Wade have constantly searched for the run-scoring opportunities. Labuschagne missed out on a century in the last Test and is once again closing in on a ton. Three runs off Shardul’s over, a triple coming from the blade of Labuschagne, who moves to 90 with that.

After 59 overs,Australia 175/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 87 , Matthew Wade 34)

Sundar continues. Australia have been targeting Thakur while they have been extra cautious against Sundar, who has bowled most of his deliveries in the good length area. Good rotation of strike in the over as Australia collect six runs, courtesy four singles and a double.

After 58 overs,Australia 169/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 83 , Matthew Wade 32)

Thakur continues. Bowls a length ball to Labuschagne off the second and the right hander drives on up, the elegant cover drive fetching him a boundary. Six off the over, including two singles.  The broadcaster just showing the dropped catches by both the sides in the limited overs and the Test series up till this point. One expects a better fielding effort, given the quality of both sides.

After 57 overs,Australia 163/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 78 , Matthew Wade 31)

Sundar continues and finally offers some room to Labuschagne off the second, with the batsman sneaking a triple after playing a powerful backfoot punch. Pant continues to chirp behind the stumps, motivating the bowlers. Three of it.

This!

Catches dropped in this series

15 Australia
12 India #AusvInd

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 15, 2021

After 56 overs,Australia 160/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 75 , Matthew Wade 31)

Shardul into his 11th over. Starts off with two dots, before bowling short and wide to Labuschagne, who cuts the ball through point and gets off the mark. Strays on the pads off the fourth and Wade flicks it towards backward square leg for an easy double. Three runs off the over.

After 55 overs,Australia 157/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 74 , Matthew Wade 29)

Alright, Labuschagne and Wade resume the proceedings post tea. Sundar with the ball. He has kept it tighter thus far. But the approach has to shift now. India desperately searching for a breakthrough as Wade and Labuschagne have kept the scoreboard ticking after completing the fifty-run stand. Three runs off the over.

After 54 overs,Australia 154/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 73 , Matthew Wade 27)

Tea, Day 1!

Hosts have lost one wicket in form Steve Smith in the lunch session but Wade and Marnus have put on another small stand to steady the innings. India need to do better when they return. Three off the Shardul over, the last bowled before tea. See you in 20 minutes.

After 53 overs,Australia 151/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 70 , Matthew Wade 27)

Marnus collects a boundary off the first ball. Rohit almost injured himself by coming in line of a throw. Shaw fired a throw at non-strikers end from square leg but Rohit stood form and did not move, looked unaware and lost for a moment but evaded it well by his hands. No damage done. India cannot afford any injury now, especially in this way.

After 52 overs,Australia 146/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 65 , Matthew Wade 27)

A couple of short deliveries from Thakur, poorly executed and Marnus makes good use of it, scoring consecutive boundaries through pull shots. Good over for Australia. Nine off it.

After 51 overs,Australia 137/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 56 , Matthew Wade 27)

Fifty-run stand comes up between Wade and Marnus. Wade is beginning to look better with every over. Tight over this from Sundar. Just 1 off it.

After 50 overs,Australia 136/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 55 , Matthew Wade 27)

Shardul back on. Natarajan taken off. Good line and length from Shardul to Wade, middle and off stump line, zips in after pitching, one went away and Wade was drawn forward for it. But again inconsistency hurting India, all the good work done in the over ruined by that one bad ball, hit for four.

After 49 overs,Australia 128/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 55 , Matthew Wade 19)

Sundar continues. Wade’s playing good cricket, he is positive and is not missing out on run-scoring chances. Sundar bowled one short and he latched on it, collecting a three at deep backward point.

After 48 overs,Australia 125/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 55 , Matthew Wade 16)

Tantalising line outside the off stump from Natarajan has Marnus teasing it. This angle has been working for him. Anything fuller has been put away for runs from Marnus.

After 47 overs,Australia 121/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 51 , Matthew Wade 16)

Sundar continues. Fifty for Marnus. He needs to convert this into big one for Australia to reach a dominant position from here. Wade exchanges a few words with Pant behind the stumps before hitting Sundar for a boundary on the last ball of the over.

After 46 overs,Australia 114/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 49 , Matthew Wade 11)

Another no ball from Natarajan. This is poor from the paceman. Such mistakes will add more pressure on him as the front foot will always be on his mind. Marnus has not shied away from playing his shots. Oops, both Pujara and Pant go for a catch as the edge of Marnus falls little short of Pujara’s left. Was he blinded by Pant’s dive. The two seemed to have been engaged in the same conversation post this event.

After 45 overs,Australia 110/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 46 , Matthew Wade 11)

Sundar continues. Pant’s been chirpy. And Wade has been attentive. The constant chirping seems to be affecting him, as his body language suggests. Important for him to stay focussed, from Australia’s point of view.

After 44 overs,Australia 110/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 46 , Matthew Wade 11)

The replays show that Saini has issues with his groin and is still no on the field. Natarajan continues. The first ball was good, angling in and then leaving Marnus. Squared him up. Good over. A maiden.

After 43 overs,Australia 110/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 46 , Matthew Wade 11)

Sundar continues. Lazy bit of fielding from Rohit Sharma at short mid-wicket, let the ball pass easily and Marnus stole a single. He is on 45 now. Could have been a maiden from Sundar had Rohit fielded well.

Plenty of talk about India's injuries but people should be aware that India haven't had local net bowlers like visiting teams usually do. It is due to Covid restrictions. It has led to bowlers in the squad possibly bowling a lot more on what is a lengthy tour. #INDvsAUSTest

— Gav Joshi (@Gampa_cricket) January 15, 2021

After 42 overs,Australia 109/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 45 , Matthew Wade 11)

Natarajan continues. Another front foot no ball from him. Needs to correct that. What India do not want is a wicket off a no ball. Wade finishes the over with a lovely cover drive for four.

After 41 overs,Australia 104/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 45 , Matthew Wade 7)

Sundar continues. Wade attempts a drive on front off against Sundar and gets beaten all ends up. Pant on with his chuckle. Can be irritating to the ears. Pant has been chirpy behind the stumps and Wade seems to be getting little annoyed by all the talking. Mind you, this is not directed towards the batsman but a casual chatting with the close in fielders. Wade sweeps Sundar for one to finish the over.

After 40 overs,Australia 103/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 45 , Matthew Wade 6)

Natarajan continues. Marnus is standing a metre outside his crease to negate the inswing from Natarajan. Good from the pacer as he keeps attacking the stumps. Drinks to be taken.

After 39 overs,Australia 102/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 45 , Matthew Wade 5)

Sundar continues. Marnus watchful against him in this over. Except for one widish ball, Sundar was good. Just 2 off the over.

After 38 overs,Australia 100/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 43 , Matthew Wade 5)

T Natarajan back on, from round the stumps to Marnus and hitting a stuck Marnus on the pads but was going down leg. Never getting the umpire’s approval from this angle. Terrific running between the wicket by Marnus and Wade. How good has Marnus been collecting these singles, doubles and triple all day today. Hundred up for Australia.

After 37 overs,Australia 97/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 40 , Matthew Wade 5)

Sundar continues, giving more flight to Wade. High chance Wade would hit one on the up to the strong off side field. No update on Saini yet. He did not seem to have any trouble walking off the field. Hopefully there is nothing major here.

Steve Smith batting average in this Test series,

v off-spinners : 16.00 (4 dismissals)

v rest : 194.00 (1 dismissal)

After 36 overs,Australia 94/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 38 , Matthew Wade 4)

Rahane, possibly, the best catcher in the Indian team drops Marnus. And more salt on the wounds as Saini walks off after feeling some discomfort. He bowls five deliveries. Rohit completes the over.

DROPPED! 

Look away if you are an India fan.

Marnus has been given a life by Rahane at gully. He could not believe the India captain after dropping him. And guess what Saini looks to be in some discomfort, he is getting a look in from the physio.

After 35 overs,Australia 91/3 ( Marnus Labuschagne 35 , Matthew Wade 4)

First Test wicket for Sundar. India see the back of Steve Smith and it has come courtesy a lack of focus on the part of batsman, it was not the most threatening delivery but Smith looking for runs waned wanted to flick it, ended up looking ordinary. Wade has come in at 5 and is off the mark with a boundary.

After 34 overs,Australia 87/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 35 , Steven Smith 36)

Saini continues. Marnus and Smith continuing to keep looking for singles though a nudge, tap, flick, pull. Another good punch off the back foor by Smith, for three runs. Five off the over.

After 33 overs,Australia 82/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 34 , Steven Smith 32)

Siraj continues. This is a better over, also a better plan. He needs to keep hitting the length outside off. And wait. Just 1 off the over.

After 32 overs,Australia 81/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 34 , Steven Smith 31)

Marnus pulls Saini for a boundary on just the first ball of the over. That’s bad bowling and the run-scoring shots ruin all the effort from the bowlers. Marnus has been good on the leg side, scoring most of his runs behind square on leg. India have been waiting for that fault shot from him but he has played with great control to middle and leg stump line deliveries.

After 31 overs,Australia 75/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 28 , Steven Smith 31)

Siraj continues. Batsmen have been picking these singles and doubles easily which tells you Indians need to be more disciplined. Need more maidens and stop the run flow on this track. The partnership keeps growing between Smith and Marnus.

After 30 overs,Australia 72/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 25 , Steven Smith 31)

Saini continues. Bowled more in outside the off stump channel. Kept Smith quiet in the over. No run. Saini needs to careful of the crease, overstepping may cost India.

Steve Smith last five Test innings at Gabba:

1, 130, 63, 141*, 4

After 29 overs,Australia 72/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 25 , Steven Smith 31)

Siraj from the other end. The Indians attacking the stumps more in the second session so far. There is a leg gully, and square leg placed at all the times for Smith and Marnus as Siraj bowls the middle and leg line. But they are not afraid to play their shots in the region. Marnus finds gap between the two fielders on last ball to collect two.

After 28 overs,Australia 69/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 23 , Steven Smith 30)

Saini starts off with a back of a length which Marnus taps it to the gully for no run. Second ball came back in sharply hit Marnus on the front pads but was going down leg. Almost a repeat of the second ball but this time Marnus uses his wrists to guide it to deep mid-wicket. Little mix up between the the two running between wickets but luckily for them no damage done. Fifty-run stand has come up between Smith and Marnus.

Alright, Back from Lunch, on Day 1!

Smith and Labuschagne will resume innings from 65/2. Saini to bowl the first over in second session of the day.

After 27 overs,Australia 65/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 19 , Steven Smith 30)

Sundar into his third over. Rahane probably has a piece of advice for Washi as he walks towards the off spinner before the third delivery. A boundary to end the over, off byes. End of the first session on Day 1 of the series decider at Brisbane.

After 26 overs,Australia 65/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 19 , Steven Smith 30)

Saini continues. The second delivery angles into Smith’s pads and the unorthodox right handed batsman collects a single after working it towards the leg side. Labuschagne defends the remaining deliveries. Just one run off the over.

After 25 overs,Australia 64/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 19 , Steven Smith 29)

Sundar continues. Half-hearted appeal by Pant for caught behind off the second delivery, Sundar wasn’t interested at all. Pant, chirpy as ever, behind the stumps. Another maiden over from Sundar as he gives no room to Labuschagne to free his arms.

After 24 overs,Australia 64/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 19 , Steven Smith 29)

Navdeep Saini into his second over. Does a tidy job in the over, barring the second delivery which was short and wide outside off. Three runs off the over, courtesy a single and a double.

After 23 overs, Australia 61/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 16 , Steven Smith 29)

Second bowling change in the second consecutive over. Spin has been introduced in the form of debutant Washington Sundar. He has big shoes to fill, that of Ashwin. Beats Smith’s outside edge of the last delivery. Gave no room to Smith to free his arms in that over. Two maidens on the trot for India.

After 22 overs,Australia 61/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 16 , Steven Smith 29)

Right, bowling change for India as Navdeep Saini comes into the attack. Two slips and a gully in place, that’s the field that Rahane has set. Saini, right up there with his speed, as always. But good line and length from him as well. Saini starts off with a maiden over.

After 21 overs,Australia 61/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 16 , Steven Smith 29)

Another over for Shardul, his seventh, long spell for him. He has been the fastest among the Indian seamers thus far. But does have to improve his line and length. After five dots, Smith slices the final delivery past point for a boundary.

After 20 overs,Australia 57/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 16 , Steven Smith 25)

Siraj continues. Both these batsmen love batting together. India searching for a breakthrough as Smith looks assured and positive at the crease. Maiden over.

After 19 overs,Australia 57/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 16 , Steven Smith 25)

Shardul continues. Concedes two of the first four while Smith, once again, collects back-to-back boundaries in an over. The first boundary was streaky but he was completely in control of the straight drive that fetched him the second four. 10 runs off the over, costly one this.

After 18 overs,Australia 47/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 15 , Steven Smith 16)

Siraj into his seventh over. Labuschagne works the first towards square leg for a quick single. Smith tickles the next to fine leg and returns the favour. Labuschagne flicks the fourth for a double and ends the over with an elegant cover drive that fetches him a boundary. Eight runs off the over.

After 17 overs,Australia 39/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 8 , Steven Smith 15)

Shardul continues. The first two deliveries shape away from Smith while the third one nips back towards Smith, who gets behind the line of the ball and carefully defends. Second maiden on the trot from Shardul.

After 16 overs,Australia 39/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 8 , Steven Smith 15)

Siraj, the leader of the pace attack, continues. Unlike Shardul, he has bowled full deliveries and invited batsmen to go for the drive in the hope of inducing an edge. The plan worked with Warner but there are two right handers at the crease now. Maiden over from Siraj as Labuschagne either leaves or defends.

After 15 overs,Australia 39/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 8 , Steven Smith 15)

Thakur continues. Mixes up the first four deliveries, two short of length deliveries alternated with two fullish ones. Smith couldn’t do much there. Maiden over from Shardul, his second of the day.

After 14 overs,Australia 39/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 8 , Steven Smith 15)

Siraj comes back into the attack. Bowls one way down leg off the first, even a full-length dive from Pant serves no purpose as the ball races away towards fine leg for a boundary, off byes. Comes back well and bowls five consecutive dots. Four runs off the over.

Thakur needs to do better

A wicket first ball for Shardul Thakur, but inaccurate from there. He's been inconsistent with line and length, and Steve Smith has looked to punish him. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/sz1kasIC8o

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) January 15, 2021

After 13 overs,Australia 35/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 8 , Steven Smith 15)

Shardul continues and gets smacked for two consecutive fours from the blade of Smith. A well-timed flick of the wrist followed by an elegant cover drive. Expensive over this, 10 runs off it. And it’s time for the drinks break.

After 12 overs, Australia 25/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 8 , Steven Smith 5)

Natarajan continues. Two right-handers at the crease and the right time for him to use his left-arm angle. He has extracted extra bounce from the surface and Labuschagne has been wary of that. Misfield by Saini at mid-wicket allows Labuschagne to sneak a double. Three runs off the over.

After 11 overs,Australia 22/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 6 , Steven Smith 4)

Thakur operating in tandem with Natarajan now. Mixes up his deliveries really well. Invites Labuschagne to go for the drive off the third and beats the right-hander’s outside edge. Maiden over from Thakur, good bowling display from him.

There is swing on offer, so the fuller, the better

India's average length of 6.72m this morning is the fullest average length of any of their first 10 overs on this tour. #AUSvIND

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) January 15, 2021

After 10 overs,Australia 22/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 6 , Steven Smith 4)

Natarajan continues from one end. Comes back over the wicket after the first delivery to Smith. The unorthodox right-handed batsman plays two dots before flicking the fourth towards mid on for a single. Labuschagne returns the favour. Dot ball off the last. Two runs off the over.

After 9 overs,Australia 20/2 ( Marnus Labuschagne 5 , Steven Smith 3)

Bowling change for India as Shardul Thakur comes into the attack. Strays on the pads off the first, Harris flicks it but holes out to Sundar at square leg. Just what India wanted, a breakthrough. Steve Smith joins Labuschagne at the crease. Smith collects a triple off the last ball, courtesy an off drive to long off.

After 8 overs,Australia 17/1 ( Marcus Harris 5 , Marnus Labuschagne 5)

Natarjan continues. The left arm seamer’s delivery are moving away from the right hander. He has been hovering around the 135 kmph mark as far as the speed is concerned. Superb bowling, a maiden over from the left arm seamer. Labuschagne extra cautious there.

After 7 overs,Australia 17/1 ( Marcus Harris 5 , Marnus Labuschagne 5)

Siraj continues. A short and wide delivery to start the over, Harris aims for the cut but misses, thanks to the extra bounce. Harris nearly plays on to the stumps off the fifth. He was in two minds there, wanted to leave it but was lazy in doing so. Two runs off the last two balls.

After 6 overs,Australia 15/1 ( Marcus Harris 4 , Marnus Labuschagne 4)

Natarajan continues. Harris glances the first delivery towards fine leg for a single. Three slips and a gully in place for Labuschagne. The right hander plays a straight drive off the fourth but the left-arm seamer saves it as he dives post completing his followthrough. Just one run off the over.

After 5 overs,Australia 14/1 ( Marcus Harris 3 , Marnus Labuschagne 4)

Siraj continues. It will be critical for the bowlers to bowl full and invite the batsmen for the drive, with the ball moving around a fair bit. Short delivery off the fifth, Labuschagne swivels on his feet and pulls it with disdain for a boundary. Four runs off the over.

After 4 overs,Australia 10/1 ( Marcus Harris 3 , Marnus Labuschagne 0)

Natarajan continues. After making a mark in the limited overs, he is making his Test debut. So far, he has stuck to a short of length channel. Overpitches on the penultimate delivery of the over, Harris flicks it but good fielding effort by Saini, who dived at mid on and saved a certain boundary. Just one run off the over, courtesy a no ball off the first delivery.

After 3 overs,Australia 9/1 ( Marcus Harris 3 , Marnus Labuschagne 0)

Siraj continues. Marnus Labuschagne, the new man in, is at the strike. After two dots, Siraj strays on the pads and Labuschagne tickles the ball off his pads for a boundary. Leg bye signalled by the umpire there. Three dots to end the over. Four runs off it.

After 2 overs,Australia 5/1 ( Marcus Harris 3 , Marnus Labuschagne 0)

T Natarajan comes into the attack. Starts off with a no ball and then bowls down leg. It is followed by five dot balls as Harris either leaves or defends. Tidy start for the left-arm seamer, one run off the over.

After 1 over, Australia 4/1 ( Marcus Harris 3 , )

India’s most experienced seamer, the two Test-old, Mohammed Siraj with the first over for India. Starts off with a inswinger outside off to Warner, who gets off the mark straight away. Overpitches off the third which allows Harris to drive through the covers and collect a triple. A lovely outswinger off the last that takes the outside edge of Warner’s bat and carries to Rohit at first slip. Just the start India would have wanted. Siraj leading by example here. Four runs and a wicket in the first over.

Huge challenge for India’s bowling attack

Total wickets between India XI today is only 13 (Siraj 7, Saini 4 and Rohit 2). It is lowest for India to start the match since Lord's 1946 when the combined sum of wickets was 5 (four Lala Amarnath and 1 CS Nayudu). #AusvInd

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 14, 2021

Australia have an enviable record at the Gabba.

Check out these stats

Among teams which have played at least 50 Test matches at a venue, Australia’s win/loss ratio of 5.000 at Brisbane is the highest.

Australia have lost only eight Tests at Gabba – the least that any team has lost after playing 50 Tests at a venue.

Australia have won 24 matches at Brisbane since Dec, 1988 out of 31 while seven ended in a draw.

Australia skipper Tim Paine: We will bat first. It’s good to be back out here, we have played good cricket here. It’s a bit dry and you can see a few cracks already, but should be a good pitch to bat for the first two days. Great opportunity for Marcus Harris.

India skipper Ajinkya Rahane: We had to make changes, we had no other option. Just want the debutants (Sundar and Natarajan) to enjoy the opportunity, they have played in the shorter formats as well. Ashwin, Bumrah, Jadeja, Vihari will miss the Test. They have been replaced by Thakur, Mayank, Natarajan and Sundar.

After impressing in the limited-overs, Natarajan is all set for the game’s biggest and purest format.  

The stuff dreams are made of. A perfect treble for @Natarajan_91 as he is presented with #TeamIndia's Test 🧢 No. 300. It can't get any better! Natu is now an all-format player. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/cLYVBMGfFM

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 14, 2021

Sundar receives his Test cap from R Ashwin

Let's hear it for @Sundarwashi5, who gets his #TeamIndia 🧢 from @ashwinravi99. He stayed back after the white-ball format to assist the team and is now the proud holder of cap number 301. 💪🙌 pic.twitter.com/DY1AwPV0HP

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 14, 2021

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar slammed Australia skipper Tim Paine for sledging Ravichandran Ashwin during the drawn third Test, saying his behaviour was “unbefitting” of a leader and could cost him his captaincy.

Paine, responding to Gavaskar’s comments, said: “He is entitled to his opinion. It doesn’t affect us one iota. It is adding to the Test match, which is great. So Sunny can keep saying what he wants to say at the end of the day, it is absolutely nothing to do with it.”

Unlike the first three Tests, India did not announce their playing eleven on the eve of the Test. It will be interesting to see the XI India field, given the team is marred by injuries.

Reportedly, India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the fourth Test due to an abdominal strain.

Mayank Agarwal — tipped to be Hanuma Vihari’s replacement in the playing XI in Brisbane — has sustained a knock on the hands. R Ashwin, meanwhile, was also battling back spasms.

Tim Paine’s captaincy has been questioned after he launched an ugly verbal tirade at India’s R Ashwin and Steve Smith was accused of foul play after appearing to scuff up batsman Rishabh Pant’s guard at the crease during a tense final day.

But Australia coach Justin Langer gave under-fire skipper Tim Paine his “100 percent” support and blasted criticism of Steve Smith as “absolute rubbish”.

Australian opening batsman Will Pucovski failed a fitness test Thursday and was ruled out of the series-deciding fourth Test against India, with Marcus Harris taking his place. 

An intriguing series is deservedly set for an exciting finale in Brisbane. Can a bruised and depleted India produce the final push to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy? Or will the Gabba fortress come to Australia’s rescue?

Well, whatever happens, this series has already achieved the status of a classic.