India won’t need to be hanging on for results in New Zealand if they can beat Australia in Ahmedabad. They can clinch a place in the World Test Championship having already secured the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
India vs Australia | Fourth Test | Thursday 9 March – Monday 13 March 2023| Motera Stadium, Ahmedabad | 04:00
To Win Match
India 1/2 | Draw 13/2 | Australia 5/2
India are out to break an Australian record during this Test but it won’t be one on the pitch. They will instead be out to generate a new attendance record at the massive Motera Stadium which can hold over 130 000 spectators.
Their batters let them down on a rank turner although few are blaming them for the sub-par pitch backfiring on India in Indore.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin have consistently appeared to be on the brink of taking an Aussie wicket and Axar Patel has had little bolwing work to do at all.
India’s last Test at this ground ended inside three days as they beat England by an innings having made 365 in their only innings, thanks largely to a counter-attacking hundred from Rishabh Pant who is still recovering following a car accident.
Australia managed a win last time out despite being bereft of their skipper Pat Cummins.
Their win was engineered by a brilliant maiden five-for from leg-spinner Matthew Khunemann, who made up a three-pronged spin attack on the dustbowl in Indore.
He will likely play again in Motera and be backed up by the experienced Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy.
Usman Khawaja played a key innings last time out and he and opening partner Travis Head will have to keep the middle order insulated as long as possible.
Verdict: India 1/2
At home and cheered on by a huge crowd, India should have the winning edge.
