The tension is palpable at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Day 3 as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 approaches an intriguing climax. Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah did come out to bat in the first session, but he hasn’t been on the field during Australia’s second innings. Virat Kohli is leading the team in Bumrah’s absence as India are looking to defend a 162-run target to retain the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The Australian fans at the iconic venue on Sunday, January 5, tried to get under Kohli’s skin as they began to jeer the legendary cricketer when India were on the field in the fourth innings of the Test match. After Prasidh Krishna dismissed Australia’s second-highest run-getter in the series, Steve Smith, Kohli turned towards a section of the crowd and showed that he had no sandpaper in his pockets. He imitated some of the infamous incidents from the sandpaper saga during Australia’s Test series against South Africa in 2018 to rub salt into the old wounds.
The Indian fans in the crowd loved how Kohli gave a fitting reply to his trollers during a tense moment in the all-important fifth Test.
The banters have crept into the dressing room as well. “(Aaron) Finch said Kohli is picking fights deliberately to return to form. Finchy is right,” commentator Sanjay Manjrekar said on air.
Australia reach Lunch break at 71/3, need 91 runs more to win
After India added just 16 runs to their overnight score, Australia had a target of 162 to chase in their final innings. The hosts got off to a flying start as Sam Konstas scored a 17-ball 22. He added 39 runs with Usman Khawaja off just 23 balls before being dismissed by Krishna.
Also Check: Twitter Reactions: Scott Boland, Pat Cummins trigger batting collapse for India at SCG on Day 3
The Karnataka seamer went on to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne for six before getting the better of Smith. Australia finished at 71/3 at Lunch on Day 3. They need another 91 runs for a win, while India are in search of seven more wickets.
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