"Do their fast bowlers still have the strength left in their legs?" - Harbhajan Singh on Australia's likely thinking on Day 5 of BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Harbhajan Singh doesn't think Australia will look to add quick runs and then try to bowl India out on Day 5 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 third Test. He questioned whether the Australian seamers have enough strength remaining in their legs to try and dismiss India in two sessions.
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are the only two fit specialist seamers in Australia's bowling lineup. Josh Hazlewood, who suffered a calf injury, bowled only a solitary over on Day 4 (Tuesday, December 17) of the third Test in Brisbane and is unlikely to take any further part in the game.
During a discussion on Star Sports, Harbhajan was asked about Australia's likely thinking on Day 5 after India averted the follow-on.
"Things would have been different if there had been a follow-on. The same 200 runs would have looked very large. However, Australia now know they have to bat. So how long should they bat and should they make them (India) bat again or not? That's the first thing and secondly, do their fast bowlers still have the strength left in their legs?" he responded.
"We saw Starc and Cummins bowling big spells and Hazlewood, who could have been a massive factor on this pitch, is injured. Your third bowler is Nathan Lyon. So I don't think Australia have the scope of adding 100-150 runs and making India play two sessions. They might have that thinking but I don't think that much strength would be left in their legs," Harbhajan added.
Cummins has figures of 4/80 in 20.5 overs in India's first-innings total of 252 for nine. Starc has picked up three wickets while conceding 83 runs in his 24 overs.
"Attack with the new ball, try to get them out, but along with that save fours as well" - Harbhajan Singh on India's bowling approach on Day 5
![India will expect Jasprit Bumrah to strike a few blows with the new ball. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/2ac16-17344386603689-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same discussion, Harbhajan Singh was asked about the approach India should adopt on Day 5.
"Take your time and plan where to bowl to which batter. Attack with the new ball, try to get them out, but along with that save fours as well. You shouldn't unnecessarily give fours. We have seen that this is a new-ball pitch," he replied.
The former India spinner added that the game will meander to a draw if the visitors pick up a few wickets with the new ball.
"There is movement with the new ball. If India get four batters out with the new ball in the first hour, the same Australia will play steadily and say they need to spend more time, and then this Test match will go towards a draw. So India's intent should be to get them out and not to give them fours," Harbhajan elaborated.
India trail Australia by 193 runs with a solitary wicket in hand. They will hope that Akash Deep (27*) and Jasprit Bumrah (10*) extend their unbroken 39-run last-wicket partnership to make it even more difficult for the hosts to force a result.