"Gives India the time to lick its wounds and come back stronger" - Sunil Gavaskar says Australia could lose momentum ahead of BGT 2024-25 4th Test
Former Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar believes Australia could lose their momentum in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to the gritty partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep on day four of the third Test in Brisbane. Gavaskar reckons India could have the chance to work on their flaws and return strongly for the next two Tests.
With India reduced to 213/9 at one stage on day four in reply to Australia's 445, the hosts would have hoped to make India bat again. However, India's No.10 and 11 shared an unbroken 39-run stand to help their side score 246 and avoid the follow-on.
When asked whether the momentum has swung India's way, the 75-year-old agreed, claiming it was with Australia after they scored 445. With a week to go before the Boxing Day Test, he feels India can come back fresh for the same.
Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar stated:
"Yes absolutely, I think after the defeat in Adelaide, clearly the Australians had the momentum and you could see that with the way they dismissed the top order of the Indians, the way they rallied to get to 445 after being 70 for 3. So clearly, yes, they had the momentum."
"Now just like India lost the momentum because of the long gap between Perth and Adelaide, there's a possibility that Australia could lose momentum in this one week's gap, and it gives India the time to lick its wounds and come back stronger for the Melbourne and the Sydney Tests."
India began the day on 51/4 but lost Rohit Sharma early. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja struck half-centuries to keep Australia at bay. With the hosts losing Josh Hazlewood early in the day, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins had to take the bowling load.
"Depends on the kind of start that the Indian team gets" - Sunil Gavaskar on chasing down score in 4th innings
When asked if India will try to chase the target that Australia set on the final day, Gavaskar said the visitors could give it a go. However, he opined that wickets in hand will be critical.
"Depends on the kind of start that the Indian team gets in the 2nd innings. They get a good start, then with the kind of batting lineup that they have down the order, there's Kohli at 4, Rohit Sharma at 6, Jadeja at 7 who has batted well," Gavaskar said.
"So yes, they could, they could possibly look to get the runs, supposing they are asked to score about 150 runs, 160 runs in the final session of the match. Who knows? they could go for it if you have about 35 overs, easily they'll try and go for it if they have wickets in hand."
The five-Test series is locked at 1-1.