New Delhi (Nilesh Tiwari): India were looking for a solid start to the series in this fourth Test, only to be put on the back foot again after an impressive Australian total of 474 in the first innings could take them into their second innings with a lead of 140 runs. Smith had a great time in Melbourne.
Usman Khawaja with 57, Marnus Labuschagne with 72, and Sam Konstas who debuted with 60 had the big innings. The pressure has brought down India’s batting line; only Yashasvi Jaiswal could impact the audience. The scorecard is now on 325-7 with trials still on with 149 runs remaining. Australia on top with 7 sessions left.
If India manages to draw, Australia’s PCT will fall to 57.29 and India’s PCT will fall to 54.62. Which means India would top Australia if India were to win the last test match in Sydney, giving them a real shout to get to the WTC Final, provided they win both test matches against Sri Lanka and Australia does not win them back.
What does a defeat to Australia at Melbourne mean for India then?
A loss at this stage would put India on the back foot going into the final match at Sydney. A loss here would leave the visitors on 1-2 going into the final game at Sydney, meaning they would be in a weaker position to qualify for the WTC finals. Australia’s PCT would have surely gone up from 58.89 to 61.45 and India’s would have come down from 55.88 to 52.78.
Should India suffer defeat at Melbourne, they would still stand third in the WTC standings but the loss would rule out their further chances of redemption. India have to win at Sydney and then depend on other positive results for the last glimmer of hope to qualify for the WTC Final.
