IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 5 Lunch: India 4 wickets away from scripting history in Adelaide
At the lunch break, skipper Tim Paine was batting on 40 and Pat Cummins remained unbeaten on 5
India are still four wickets away from scripting history at the Adelaide Oval. The visitors managed to pick two wickets in the morning session of the first Test’s final day but couldn’t put a check on the run flow. Australia added another 82 runs to their overnight score of 104 in 34 overs.
At the lunch break, skipper Tim Paine was batting on 40 and Pat Cummins remained unbeaten on 5.
Shaun Marsh and Travis Head resumed the Australian innings at 104 and could only add 15 runs more before Ishant Sharma picked the first wicket of the day. A short-ball from the speedster surprised Head and he ended up getting caught by Ajinkya Rahane.
An absolute brute from Ishant Sharma had India up and about early on day five.#AUSvIND | @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/QPR1SOz69a
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 10, 2018
Marsh continued his controlled batting and in the 66th over, he got his 10th half-century off 146 deliveries.
Shaun Marsh brings up his 50 in style!#AUSvIND | @Domaincomau pic.twitter.com/AbNJxutxZc
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 10, 2018
Paired with skipper Tim Paine, Marsh left no stone unturned to annoy the Indian bowlers. The duo stitched a 41-run partnership before Bumrah struck in the 73rd over and removed the dangerman on 60. A length delivery forced Marsh to defend from the crease but he got a fine edge pushing at it and went through to Pant.
It was Rishabh Pant's ninth dismissal in the Test, equalling MS Dhoni (9 versus Australia, Melboure in 2014) as the second-best haul by an Indian wicketkeeper in overseas Tests.
Cummins then helped Paine play out 10.5 overs, although he had a couple hairy moments in the 74th over off R Ashwin (2-71). India wasted a DRS review when they thought he had edged it. Four balls later, a loud appeal for caught at short leg was turned down with Cummins reviewing it successfully this time.
The Australian skipper kept the scoreboard moving with some of his brave shots. He was joined by Pat Cummins and they have added another 30 runs for the seventh wicket so far.
India scored 250 in their first innings with Cheteshwar Pujara anchoring with his 16th Test century. Australia replied with 235 and conceded a 15-run lead. The visitors then finished 307 in their second innings, including a collapse of 5 for 25, and set a 323-run target on day four.
If India win at Adelaide, then Kohli will become the first Asian captain to win a Test match in South Africa, England and Australia. India had won the Johannesburg Test against the Proteas in January this year following which they defeated England in the 4th Test at Southampton later in August-September.
They will also become the first Asian side to win Tests in England, Australia and South Africa in a calendar year.
Brief scores:
India: 250 and 307
Australia: 235 and 186/6 in 83 overs (Shaun Marsh 60, Tim Paine batting 40)
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