4th Test: Australia set India 328 to win in Brisbane

Brisbane: A nagging downpour frustrated Australia on day 4 of the fourth Test in Brisbane on Monday, with play getting abandoned moments after India resumed their second innings to chase down a record 328 at the Gabba. India were four for no loss, needing 324 runs to win the fourth Test against Australia with Rohit Sharma unbeaten on four and Shubman Gill yet to score.

Earlier, India pacer Mohammed Siraj snapped his maiden five-wicket haul as Australia was bowled out for 294 on Monday, setting the visitors a target of 328 to win the series-deciding Test at the Gabba.

Siraj dropped two catches before dismissing star Australia batsman Steve Smith for 55 in the second session and finishing with figures of 5/73 on Day 4 of the 4th Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. Siraj produced a masterclass of fast bowling in the 2nd innings of the Brisbane Test.

Australia was 243-7 at tea on day four, with a rain shower forcing an early break, with an overall lead of 276 and a declaration seemingly imminent. Australia added further 51 runs for three wickets post the resumption of play in gloomy



conditions.

Notably, Australia resumed at 21 without loss overnight and cruised to 89/0 on the fourth morning with David Warner and Marcus Harris dealing in boundaries. However, Thakur struck to remove Marcus Harris for 38 and break the 89-run opening stand.

Debutant Washington Sundar then trapped David Warner for 48, with Siraj having Marnus Labuschagne caught in the slips for 25. Three balls later, Siraj dismissed Matthew Wade for a duck. Smith then combined with Cameron Green to lift the total to 196 before a sharply-rising ball from Siraj hit him on the glove and deflected away to Ajinkya Rahane in the gully.

Smith (55) then gloved a catch to captain Ajinkya Rahane on a Mohammed Siraj delivery. Green was the next man to depart as Thakur removed him at 27. Thakur took his third wicket of the innings by dismissing captain Tim Paine (27).

With the series is level at 1-1, Australia must win the match to claim the Border-Gavaskar trophy while India need only a draw to retain the silverware. However, Australia's task may be made tougher with rain forecast on day five.