“Australia were better in Brisbane but India have momentum”: Sunil Gavaskar declares Rohit Sharma’s team favourite for Melbourne Test
Former India player Sunil Gavaskar has declared India’s favourite for the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He commented after the third contest between the two teams ended in a draw, with rain hampering the hosts’ chances of registering a victory. After posting 445 runs in their first innings, the home team had taken India’s five wickets with not even 100 runs on the board, but the rain didn’t allow the proceedings to continue on Day 3.
The next day, Steve Smith dropped KL Rahul’s catch when the batter was on 33. He went on to score 84 and helped India to avoid follow-on.
Ravindra Jadeja amassed 77 runs, but when he was sent back, the sub-continent nation still needed 33 runs with one wicket left. Akash Deep (30) and Jasprit Bumrah (10 not out) rescued their team. From there on, India pressed the comeback button and dismissed seven batters of Australia on 89 in the second innings.
Aussies declared and gave Rohit’s men a target of 275. When India were 8/0, the rain stopped the play, and the officials had to call off the action.
“There is no doubt that Australia were ahead of India in the contest, but the way the lower order batted for India and the bowlers showed their class, the momentum is now with the visiting for the Melbourne Test.
“They will feel more confident going into the fourth game of the series than Australia. India have managed to put doubt into the minds of the Australian players, and this is going to play a huge role in the two Tests,” he said on Star Sports.
“I am an Indian, and that’s why my viewpoint is such, and the Australians might disagree with what I said,” he added.
Matthew Hayden, who was sitting with the legendary Indian batter, didn’t say anything after hearing the comment.
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