Tim Paine should be removed as Australian captain after the series: Sunil Gavaskar

At the end of the fourth day of the third Test between India and Australia, there would have been many who would have thought that an Australian win was a foregone conclusion. After all, Australia were just 8 wickets away from victory with more than 90 overs to be bowled on the final day, with India having to chase down 407 for victory. The kangaroos had already removed India’s openers before the close of play on Day 4, and India were on the backfoot.

But then, in a sensational rearguard action, which was a collective team effort, the Indian side comfortably managed a draw in the face of adversity. Cheteshwar Pujara scored a 205-ball 77, and Rishabh Pant scored a belligerent 97 off just 118 balls as the two batsmen were involved in a 148-run partnership. After this, Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari showed supreme patience and courage and played out a staggering 42.4 overs as India lost just three wickets in the entire day to finish their second innings at 334/5.

Australia will surely feel that they have let the match slip out of their hands, but India showed that they have the fighting spirit in them and thwarted the Aussie challenge. Tim Paine was also guilty of dropping Vihari off the bowling of Mitchell Starc in the 123rd over of the Indian innings. He had also reportedly entered into a verbal confrontation with Ravichandran Ashwin during the course of the Indian second innings as well.

Sunil Gavaskar has some harsh words for Tim Paine

Former Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has lashed out at the Australian skipper and said that Paine should be removed as the Australian captain after the series. Gavaskar also added that Paine’s behaviour does not befit a leader and he should focus more on taking catches behind the stumps instead of talking.

“Tim Paine should be removed as Australia captain after the series. His behavior doesn’t befit a captain. He should be talking less and focusing instead on taking catches and leading his side better,” said Gavaskar in a chat with India Today.

India have managed to keep Australia at bay, and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is well and truly alive. The fourth and final Test of the series will be played at Brisbane, and the winner of that match will win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While Australia have been nearly unbeatable at The Gabba, India will carry forward the confidence of pulling off a sensational draw from the jaws of defeat at Sydney.

The fourth Test of the series will start on January 15th 2021 in Brisbane.