Indian veteran cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were shocked when Australian Marnus Labuschagne narrowly escaped being dismissed in the second innings. Marnus Labuschagne’s luck saved him even though he was close to coming out on the fourth day of the match and left the Indian bowlers stunned.
In the first session on Saturday, December 29, India struggled for 369 runs. The visitors added 11 runs to their overnight total, giving Australia a 105-run lead in the first innings. Centurion Nitish Kumar Reddy was bowled out by Nathan Lyon for 114 and Mohammed Siraj remained unbeaten on 4.
Jasprit Bumrah Demolishes Australia’s Middle Order in Second Session
In the morning session, openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja were dismissed cheaply. Bumrah dismissed Constas for 8 and Siraj celebrated after removing Khawaja, silencing his critics. Labuschagne and Steve Smith put on a 37-run partnership for the third wicket before Siraj took the wicket of Smith.
Smith had to return to the dressing room after 13 runs. Bumrah then dismantled Australia’s middle order by removing Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey in just 11 deliveries. Head 1, Marsh is dismissed for a duck and Carey is bowled for 2 and Australia struggle to 91/6.
Watch: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli shocked as lucky Marnus Labuschagne runs out of work
The incident happened on the second ball of the 46th over of Australia’s second innings. Marnus Labuschagne defended a shot from Akash Deep at his feet, but the ball bounced back and bounced over the stumps, narrowly missing. Virat Kohli walked to the ground holding his head in disbelief and Rohit was shocked.
Watch the event here:
How did he miss these stumps 😱 #AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/xNzxru6akb
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2024
Earlier, Marnus had a lucky escape when he was dropped by Yashasvi Jaiswal at the gully. Labuschagne played a clumsy shot on a length backhand from Akash Deep and drove it straight to gully. It was a chance that came at a good height but Jaiswal couldn’t hold on.
It would be one of the wonders off the canvas – Kerry O’Keeffe
Former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe says India could be on the verge of something special, comparing it to their 2020/21 series triumph. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tied at 1-1, O’Keeffe believes the series is on a similar trajectory.
“Something is cooking here. This is how 2020 passed. They drew in Sydney and beat Australia on the last day of the series to win and I think they are cooking the same thing here,” O’Keeffe told Fox Cricket’s Test Daily.
“If they can run away with a draw – even a win – it would be one of the miracles of canvas recovery that cricket has seen.”
“The boxing analogy is valid, it was a fantastic fight,” O’Keeffe said. “It was fascinating, it was traditional Test cricket, it didn’t have the unorthodox performance we saw from Sam Constas on day one. It was amazing… it’s great theater.”
Also read: Watch: Jasprit Bumrah bowls Alex Carey with a peach on Day 4 of Boxing Day Test
