Australia vs India: Mohammed Siraj's delivery lands on the crack and deviates in a weird way

Day 4 and Day 5 are certainly not the best time to be a batsman in a Test match. There are cracks on the pitch that open up, there is variable bounce that might hinder a batsman, and mostly, there is either the pressure of setting the opposition a good target in the second innings, or chasing down the target to win the game.

The pitch at The Gabba in Brisbane also had some variable bounce on offer for the bowlers. Especially in the Australian second innings, there were some deliveries that kept low, and some that just took off after pitching. And needless to say, it was a challenge to bat.

One particular delivery completely surprised the batsman. Pat Cummins was the batsman on strike. Mohammed Siraj delivered the ball just short of a length, and the ball nipped back sharply off the deck with steep bounce, so much so that the batsman was caught completely unaware.

You can watch the delivery from Mohammed Siraj:

This one definitely hit a crack 😅 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/dV6f98CpFw

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 18, 2021

Australia has its nose ahead

It is a well-known fact that The Gabba in Brisbane is Australia’s fortress. And, as many as eight Indian players in the present playing XI of the fourth Test were not even born the last time Australia lost a Test at The Gabba. The last time a team triumphed against Australia at The Gabba was in the year 1988. Well, even Sachin Tendulkar had not made his international debut then!

The fourth Test at The Gabba in Brisbane is fought with vigor and passion by both sides. Australia has set a challenging target of 328 for India in the fourth innings to win the Test. The one thing that the hosts would be happy about is the fact that their star opener David Warner was back amongst the runs, and scored 48 at the top of the order.

Also, the opening up of the cracks is a wonderful sign for Australia, as the fiery Australian pace attack will be eager to exploit the same. Nathan Lyon is also playing his 100th Test match and will be itching to have a go at the Indians. For India, they have found unlikely heroes in their last two games. While Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari held the fort and ensured a draw for India in the third Test, Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur demolished the Australian bowlers in the first innings of the fourth Test.