Delhi: The Boxing Day Test being played between India and Australia is towards its final stage. In such a situation, former Australian all-rounder Steve O’Keefe has expressed hope that India will not play for a draw on the last day of the fourth Test going on at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), but will use all its strength to win.
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Let us tell you that Indian fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj destroyed Australia’s top and middle order, but the innings of Marnus Labuschagne (70) and Pat Cummins (41) helped the host team.
The pair of Nathan Lyon (41 not out) and Scott Boland (10 not out) took Australia’s lead to 333 runs at stumps on Sunday. The pair will bat on the fifth day on Monday and so far have added 55 runs for the last wicket.
Speaking to SEN Cricket, Steve O’Keefe said, “I don’t think India will bat for a draw. I think they will risk everything to win on the fifth day.”
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is currently tied at 1-1, and both the teams are competing for a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final to be held at Lord’s in 2025. Australia is in a strong position at second position (58.89%) and can also draw against Sri Lanka by playing two additional tests.
On the other hand, India must win this Test and the upcoming final Test to ensure qualification for the WTC final. For any other result they will have to depend on the results of other matches.
South Africa currently tops the table with 63.33% points and is playing against Pakistan in Centurion. India is in third place (55.88%) and needs to win at any cost.