India’s Cheteshwar Pujara survived a brutal onslaught from the Australian pace attack as the series-deciding fourth Test hung in the balanc...
India’s Cheteshwar Pujara survived a brutal onslaught from the Australian pace attack as the series-deciding fourth Test hung in the balance at tea on the final day at the Gabba on Tuesday.
Needing 328 to pull off a historic win at the Gabba, injury-hit India were 183 for three at the break, with Pujara not out on 43 and Rishabh Pant on 10.
While a draw is still the most likely outcome, the visitors’ decision to send Pant in ahead of Mayank Agarwal shows they are still eyeing off what would be an epochal victory.
Australia are unbeaten at Brisbane’s Gabba since 1988, and suffered their first home Test series defeat by India two years ago. The series is currently locked at 1-1.
Australia took two wickets after lunch, with Shubman Gill falling for a superb 91 and skipper Ajinkya Rahane a quickfire 24.
Pujara was hit 10 times during the first two sessions as Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood tried to exploit a perceived weakness to short balls at the body.
He took blows to the fingers, arm, ribs and helmet during a searching examination of his technique.
But he was able to hang in as the batsmen at the other end scored freely and ate into the target.
Gill was magnificent on a fifth-day...
