Sydney, Jan 5: Kuldeep Yadav returned with his Test career's second five-wicket haul as dominant India bundled Australia out for 300 in their first innings before bad weather conditions abandoned the play on day four of the fourth and final Test here on Sunday (January 6).
Australia were 6/0 in their second innings after India captain Virat Kohli enforced a follow-on. Only 27.3 overs' of play could be played on the day that was marred by bad light and rain.
Earlier, India became the first team in 30 years to enforce a follow-on on Australian soil as Kuldeep grabbed a well deserved second fifer in his sixth game. After the first session was washed out due to rain and poor light, Australia resumed their innings from 236/6 and their remaining four wickets perished after adding 64 runs on a penultimate day of the match.
It was another day of dominance from India, who are seeking their first Test series victory in Australia having already retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav picked up remaining four wickets as the hosts fell 322 runs short of India's first innings total of 622/7. Josh Hazlewood (21) was the last wicket to fall as Kuldeep completed his five-for and ended 42-run partnership for the last wicket.
Shami gave the hosts their first jolt of the day after skipper Kohli took the second new ball immediately on day four by cleaning up overnight batsman Pat Cummins (25). Bumrah got his first wicket of the innings by dismissing Peter Handscomb for 37. Nathan Lyon (0) and Hazlewood were cleared by Kuldeep via leg before.
Earlier on Day 3, Australia were 236/6 - in response to India's 622-7 declared - when the match was halted due to bad light and wet weather. The third day was eventually abandoned shortly afterwards, with the beleaguered Australians still 386 runs behind as Peter Handscomb (28 not out) and Pat Cummins (25no) tried to put up a fight.
Here's how the game panned out on Day 4:
Play has been abandoned for the day due to bad weather conditions in Sydney. Match will resume at 4:30 AM (IST) tomorrow but the weather forecast isn't great for the final day as well.
UPDATE: Play on day four has been abandoned. Day five will begin at 10am AEDT with entry via a gold coin donation to the @McGrathFdn #AUSvIND https://t.co/CaiEbSjKbT
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 6, 2019
We'll have to wait till there is any official confirmation from the umpires.
Lolololol. The earliest they can officially call it off for the day for bad light is at 6pm. But if it rains before then they can call it off immediately. Because cricket. #AUSvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) January 6, 2019
Heavy covers are coming on the field.
Heavy covers going on. Play unlikely to resume on day four at the SCG.
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 6, 2019
📺 Watch LIVE on Fox Cricket & 📰 join our match centre: https://t.co/seDJz2Ba9X #AUSvIND #FoxCricket pic.twitter.com/c9Fv74ojgu
Michael Clarke backs Mike Haysman's observation.
Spot on! https://t.co/Z09WoFVjtn
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) January 6, 2019
A record for Kuldeep to cheer!
Only two left-arm wrist spinners have taken a five-for both in home and away Tests: KULDEEP YADAV and England's Johnny Wardle (in 1955).#INDvAUS #INDvsAUS
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) January 6, 2019
Kuldeep gets a praise from his idol Shane Warne!
Well bowled & congrats on your 5 wicket haul @imkuldeep18 also, thankyou for your very kind words - it’s been a pleasure to work with you & watch you bowl my friend ! 👍 pic.twitter.com/35vNtL8qp5
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 6, 2019
Tea! Bad light stops play and the umpires have called for an early tea break. India captain Virat Kohli isn't pleased with the umpire's decision. Australia 6/0 (300/10) trail India by 316 runs. Khawaja - 4* and Harris - 2* will resume play after the break.
Jasprit Bumrah bowls the second over for India and starts with a maiden over. Australia 4/0.
With his 5-99 in the first innings, Kuldeep has produced best figures by an Indian spinner in Australia. The Previous best was from Anil Kumble.
Wonderful moment when @imkuldeep18 said he was proud to take a fifer in front of his idol and in the commentary box @ShaneWarne was beaming.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 6, 2019
Australia's second innings! Usman Khawaja and Marcus Harris are into the middle to start Australia's second innings. Mohammed Shami starts with the new ball for India.
India have enforced the follow-on as captain Virat Kohli smells a victory in Sydney. Australia to come out and bat again after innings break. 133 overs could still be bowled in this game.
India are the first team in last 30 years to enforce follow-on on Australia in Australia!
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) January 6, 2019
Excellent work Kohli & co.! #AusvInd
Wicket! Josh Hazlewood (21) has been trapped in front and Kuldeep Yadav grabs a fifer. Australia's first innings capitulated for 300. India lead by 322 runs.
Five-wicket hauls by visiting left arm wrist spinners in Australia
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 6, 2019
5/79 - Johnny Wardle (Eng) at Sydney 1955
5/99 - Kuldeep Yadav (Ind) at Sydney 2019#AusvInd #AusvsInd
Dropped! Hazlewood gets a breather as Vihari puts down a sitter. Kuldeep could have grabbed his first fifer in Australia and he looks upset with his team-mate's poor effort.
Wicket! Kuldeep Yadav traps Nathan Lyon in front for a duck as the batsman looked to sweep the chinaman but the ball crashed on to his pads. Australia 258/9.
Wicket! Peter Handscomb (37) is clean bowled by Jasprit Bumrah. First wicket for the bowler in this game and he's a little animated after this success. Aus - 257/8.
Bowling change! Kuldeep Yadav has been brought into the attack and Handscomb gets a boundary against the chinaman to bring up 250 for Australia.
Jasprit Bumrah bowls the second over with the new ball and he's been welcomed by Mitchell Starc with a boundary.
Wicket! Shami strikes immediately! Pat Cummins (25) has been cleaned up. Australia are 236/7.
Day 4: The second new ball has been taken by India and Shami starts with the red cherry. Overcast conditions and moisture will assist pacers.
Fourth Day's play starts.
SET! #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/RPn7LYQFRU
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 6, 2019
Update! Covers are coming off and the play will resume in some 15 minutes.
Play will start at 13:50 local time, weather permitting #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/JTGfniMtKp
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 6, 2019
Early lunch has been taken at SCG!
Lunch will be taken at 12:30 local time. Stay tuned for further updates #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/y83T8dcMp0
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 6, 2019
Its still raining in Sydney and we might have an early lunch. More than 2 hours' of play has been washed out today.
Pujara-Kohli have entered an elite club of Indian greats!
India now have five great batsmen with 5000 Test runs averaging over 50:
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) January 6, 2019
VKohli, 6590, 54.02
STendulkar 15921, 53.79
RDravid 13265, 52.64
CPujara 5426, 51.19
SGavaskar 10122, 51.12
India have had a 50-50 win/draw record overseas, after posting 600 runs on the board.
India before the Sydney Test match
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 6, 2019
600+ totals: 31 times
Won: 17, Drawn: 14
in away Tests
600+ totals: 12 times
Won: 6, Drawn: 6#AusvInd#AusvsInd
Sanjay Manjrekar counters the Australian Point of View!
When Australia was thrashing India even then FC averages of Indian batsmen were better than Australian batsman. So this is not the right indicator. https://t.co/BpOmZDMZOZ
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 6, 2019
When a total of 150 overs were bowled at SCG in 2016 as rain washed the game away!
The Jan 2016 Test at SCG #AusvWI
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 5, 2019
1st day: 75 overs (rain)
2nd day: 11.2 overs (rain)
3rd day: no play (rain)
4th day: no play (rain)
5th day: 63.5 overs (rain)
Total overs: 150.1 overs#AusvInd#AusvsInd
Dean Jones highlights the problem with Australia not producing good batsmen.
Problem in Australia is that Kids are not allowed to make 100’s at a young age ... #30retired #50retired https://t.co/xAlPoasnGb
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) January 6, 2019
Australian Point of View! Why Indian batsmen have dominated this series.
Based on first class records, India's batting dominance in this series should not have come as a surprise. Before the start of the series only one Indian batsman had a lower first class average than the Australian batsman with the highest first class average. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/CTQNAHd44Q
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) January 5, 2019
Update! Covers are back again as the rain is back. This means the play will not start at 5:30 AM.