On Day 5 of the fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Virat Kohli exhibited his captaincy skills as India pushed for a result at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Despite stepping down as India skipper from all formats in January 2022, Kohli donned the captaincy hat during a conversation with Axar Patel, displaying shades of his former leader. As India’s spinners, Axar, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja, aimed to land the ball on the rough surface created over the previous four days, Kohli provided animated instructions to Axar in between overs while Rohit Sharma watched on.
The Ahmedabad surface shows help on the final day
The Ahmedabad surface has shown some signs of liveliness for the spinners, unlike the initial three and a half days. While Australia lost only one wicket during the first session, India faced several close calls as the ball bounced off the rough and caused trouble for the batsmen. The ball hit the bat, and Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne were on the gloves, and if there had been a forward short-leg, India could have claimed a second wicket.
During the intervals between overs, Virat Kohli walked up to Axar and directed him to land the ball in a specific area of the pitch, possibly explaining why. Kohli’s commitment to the game was evident as he took charge despite Rohit’s presence.
“India are going to get in and around this area that is somehow outside off-stump. Maybe a foot and a half outside. Just tempt Marnus Labuschagne to play through covers,”
Matthew Hayden said while doing commentary.
His partner Sunil Gavaskar then chipped in:
“Yes I think they are talking about the length and line. But that’s not the line for the left-hander, it will be to a right-hander. If it’s to a left-hander it will mean that the ball will turn away quite safely. I think for the right hander, Ashwin, that line would be more beneficial.”
early breakthrough for India on Day5
India did not have to wait for an extended period to make a breakthrough. Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed the nightwatchman, Matthew Kuhnemann, for 6.
Despite this, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne managed to play out the session without any further damage. Bringing Australia to a score of 73/1 at lunch on Day 5, trailing by 18 runs.
