India’s S factor steals show on third day at Gabba

It was the second ball after Tea when Mayank Agarwal who until then had done all the hard work for his 38 played a flashy drive and Steve Smith recovered after a fumble to grab him at second slip.

Rishabh Pant at the other end fell first time for under 25 in Australia and India were left reeling at 186, still 183 short of Australia’s first innings score.

Australia sensed a big lead of at least 150, which would have meant curtains for the team with still plent to go in the Test match.

But Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur had different intentions; they had bagged 3 wickets each as bowlers and now it was time for them to bat their best.

The duo decided to not give an inch, not so easily at least. Sundar’s batting credentials were never in doubt, however the way Shardul batted came as a pleasant surprise to many. Chipping away at the score, the partnership kept growing in confidence and in runs. From scintillating cover drives to no look six, the partnership had everything that’s only expected from top order batsmen. When Thakur decided to go for a tailender hoick that proved to be his undoing India had avoided the troubled waters for the day.

Australia managed a lead of just 33 runs eventually, something that can still be handy but for that to happen their batsmen will have to bat out at least two sessions on the penultimate day of the Test match.

With the forecast for the fifth day predicting rain, the match is headed towards a tricky field.

Given how India batted in Sydney, Australia will be wary of giving them anything that is within range. On the other hand, India would want to do it one more time, a final push that gives them a real chance at going for the kill at the Gabbatoir.