India vs Australia 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy 4th Test is the final chapter of the fascinating series and it will be unveiled at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on 25th March. Australia showed plenty of fight on the final day of the previous test, making the 4th clash a series decider.
India vs Australia 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been a rather captivating series so far and while the momentum has been changed on many occasions, every single day had its share of drama. From the DRS controversy to Ishant Sharma’s expressions to Virat Kohli being marked as the Donald Trump of world sports, all this has resulted in playing exchanging words, wickets being abolished, bats being broken and grass being uprooted (to some extend).
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However, the scenario has changed now. HPCA Stadium will offer assistance to the pacers for the first three days and even have some on the last two days. The pitch at offer, is nothing like we have seen in the last three tests where spinners have dominated the game and the scoreboard has moved at a slow pace.
Playing on these types of pitches is in Australian’s blood and they would enjoy every bit of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami (expected) and Umesh Yadav. However, the bowling trio is one of the best in World cricket and once they find their spots and variations, it would be hard for the visitors to hold their stand. However, same goes for India. Mitchell Starc’s replacement Pat Cummins has performed exceptionally well in the 3rd Test picking up 4 important wickets in the very first innings and all the spotlight will be on him for the next clash.
As for the spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin, as well as Ravindra Jadeja, have found their mojo and their consistency coupled with the unmatched disciple with line and length will prove fruitful for Virat Kohli to claim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
When it comes to batting, neither of the teams have been consistent with an all around performance and David Warner as well as Virat Kohli, the two run machines for their respective teams, would have a chance to end this series on a good note.
Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh from Australia, and Cheteshwar Pujara, Wriddhiman Saha, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul from India, all have contributed substantially to their respective teams with the blade, throughout the series. And it is safe to assume that, keeping all of them out of the picture will not be an easy task for the bowlers.
However, India will have the upper hand here, as Australia will enter the game under pressure and has everything to do with their current ICC Test Ranking.
Australia needs at least a draw in the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy 4th Test in order to save themselves from slipping down to the 3rd position and claim the $500,000 cash reward by the end of the season. With South Africa locking its eye on the prey, if Australia loses, they will definitely have to let go of their standing to South Africa.
As for India, even if they lose, the team will still retain its numero uno ICC Test ranking and will claim the $1 million price cheque. Moreover, if the Indian side wins, they will then hold every single test series title against all the test playing nations.
That’s not it, after the recent controversy of Australian media trolling Virat Kohli and comparing him with Donald Trump by saying that the Indian skipper just wants to cover his own marks by putting allegations on the visiting side, whichever team loses this game, the defeat will definitely leave an ineradicable mark on the losing side.
All eyes are now on Dharamsala as both teams are expected to fight tooth and nail in order to clinch the series title.