Nathan Lyon’s effort to 400 wickets will begin on Sunday (January 17) after rain stopped playing on the second day of the fourth Test, with India slamming Australia’s first innings by 369 before 307 runs .
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India were 62/2 at tea, with Cheteshwar Pujara (8 *) and Ajinkya Rahane (2 *) bats not out, but unable to resume play after the break for the Gabba was heavy with rain.
Australia had started again at 274/5 on Saturday, with Marnus Labuschagne 108 the best on the first day.
Tim Paine and Cameron Green, on 38 and 28 respectively, brought the number to 311 before Paine went for 50. The captain was well captured by Rohit Sharma in the second slip off Shardul Thakur’s bowling, and continued Green quickly, beaten by Washington Sundar debutant for 47.
The tail took some useful running – Lyon added 24 and Mitchell Starc was out of 20 – but it was a strong bowling effort with the tourists not already working, which the sailor missed. Navdeep Saini to groin strain on the first day.
Sundar (3/89), his rival T Natarajan (3/78), and Shardul Thakur (3/94), playing in his second Test, were all delighted when India took 95 / 5 in the morning session to get Australia out at lunch.
Starc and Josh Hazlewood opened the bowling after that, but it was Pat Cummins who got the lead with just his second delivery, Shubman Gill going down one to second slip where Steve Smith grabbed a sharp grip.
Rohit Sharma had a comfortable look on his way to 44 before becoming the 397th Test wicket at Lyon. Playing in his 100th try, Lyon caught a brutal shot from Sharma, who came down the wicket only to get out to Starc, who ran in from long range to take a good grip.
With the tie tied at 1-1, Lyon’s loom is a key factor as Australia look to win the Border-Gavaskar Cup with a win in Brisbane. India can win the prestigious award by winning or drawing.
Play on the third day will begin 30 minutes earlier than previously expected to make up for lost time.