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| Third Test, Sydney Cricket Ground (Day Four) |
| Australia 338 and 312-6: Green 84, Smith 81, Labuschagne 73 |
| India 244 and 98-2: Rohit 52 |
| India needs 309 more races to win |
| Scorekeeper |
India faces a daunting task in avoiding Test 3 defeat against Australia after closing matchday four at 98-2, requiring 309 more runs to win.
The hosts resumed at 103-2 before declaring 312-6, putting India at an unlikely 407 for victory in Sydney.
All-rounder Cameron Green scored an entertaining 84, while Steve Smith had 81 and Marnus Labuschagne scored 73.
India’s chase got off to a good start, before Shubman Gill dropped by 31 and Rohit Sharma was caught deep by 52.
Cheteshwar Pujara and captain Ajinkya Rahane remain undefeated at nine and four respectively, but will need to form a substantial partnership to help their team hit the final day for a draw or achieve a notable victory.
The most successful fourth inning chase at the Sydney Cricket Ground is 288, which Australia made against South Africa in 2006.
The four-game series is currently tied at 1-1, with the final test in Brisbane beginning January 15.
The fourth day was marred by an incident where play was stopped for 10 minutes shortly before tea after India’s fast pitcher Mohammed Siraj alerted umpires to alleged abuse by a section of the crowd from the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Subsequently, the police expelled six people.
The International Cricket Council is investigating allegations of racist abuse against Indian players by members of the crowd on the third day, while Cricket Australia has condemned all discriminatory behavior “in the strongest terms”.
More to follow.
