This was the day when India roared back into the contest, despite the absence of their captain. The cricket world had been wondering with breath fairly bated how long Bumrah could go on carrying the attack on his uncomplaining shoulders. He began the day by removing Labuschagne early. After ten overs of gilt-edged seam bowling he disappeared to the pavilion for respite. He then departed the ground in his car, accompanied by an ambulance. Scans and back spasms were offered, but beyond that the dressing room was as non-committal as a Minister addressing a Cabinet leakage.
How would India fare without their champion? Jolly well, as it happened. Siraj and Krishna bent their backs with a will and overwhelmed the Australian batting. Konstas batted serviceably for his 23 under trying conditions, Smith batted well for his 33 until surprising everybody by finding Rahul with a wild stroke off Krishna. Reddy chipped in with two good wickets and the tail succumbed to the Indian seamers. Thanks to Webster’s debutant fifty the home side fell only four runs short of India’s 185, but an opportunity for a decisive lead went begging. Webster had already earned his keep as fourth seamer. With common-sense technique (blocking the good ones and punishing the bad) he made a fine 57 until he was undone by Krishna. The remainder tried their best, but were found wanting.
Delighted at being let off the hook yet again, Jaiswal joyfully hopped into Starc’s opening over and plundered 16 from it. Starc looks battle-weary, as well he might. India’s score mounted with alarming speed until Boland (who else?) removed both openers. The pitch had quietened down somewhat. But there was still just enough seam movement to get past the bat and into the stumps. Rahul and Jaiswal looked flummoxed, as well they might. Following which Kohli did his customary thing and nicked to Smith from well outside off. He whacked his pad with his bat in anger. Succumbing yet again to your own well-publicised death-wish is a public embarrassment. Suddenly Boland had 3/18 at the start of his fifth over.
This became 3/27 by the end of it. Pant had clearly had enough of stoic defence and smacked his first ball straight over the bowler’s head for six. It was the beginning of a hurricane assault. Rishabh was clearly not only bored with playing carefully. He reasoned that his best option was all-out attack, and who can say he was wrong? His innings was brief but violent. Having made his point he nicked Cummins behind and departed. But his 61 is the game’s top score thus far. From 33 balls, if you please, with four sixes and six fours. Earlier, Webster got his maiden scalp by inducing a waft from Gill. Boland however was not done yet. He held one back a trifle and Reddy spooned it to Cummins at mid-off.
And so ended a day of violent mood swings. With India at 6/141 the lead is 145. Jadeja and Washington have had little enough to do with the ball thus far. Their chances of setting a winning total are far from negligible. It really depends on the wicket. The green of the wicket has faded somewhat. But there is still seam movement. And Boland will be waiting for them in the morning. His match figures thus far are 8/73. He has made the ball fly off a length, seam around like a hyperactive terrier, and thus far he has barely sent down a bad ball in anger. What Australia is hoping for is an hour more of seam, followed by a general easing out into a glorious batting track. And what of Bumrah? How is he? Will he bowl in the second innings? He must be as sore as Samson in Gaza, but you would not bet against it.