Australia v India: Shardul Thakur & Washington Sundar lead fightback in Brisbane

A remarkable fightback from India on day three in Brisbane kept them in the decisive fourth Test against Australia.

At 186-6 in reply to Australia’s 369, the tourists were facing a substantial first-innings deficit at the Gabba.

But unheralded pair Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar, who had played one previous Test between them, put on 123 in a brilliant seventh-wicket stand.

Thakur made 67 and Sundar 62 before India were bowled out for 336, before Australia reached 21-0 – a lead of 54.

Australia openers David Warner and Marcus Harris survived an awkward 20 minutes late on another fascinating day.

India have been decimated by injuries in a thrilling series – only three of their team in this Test started the first – but now have a fair chance of retaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

They need only draw in Brisbane Test to retain the trophy, while Australia must win to claim a 2-1 victory.

Rain is forecast to interrupt play on the final two days at the Gabba.

India refuse to flinch… again

The series promised much and has not disappointed. It has had everything, with the momentum regularly swinging from one team to the other.

But when India’s middle order of Ajinkya Rahane, Mayank Agarwal and Rishabh Pant fell to attacking strokes on Sunday, it looked as though Australia were finally going to strike a decisive blow.

India’s inexperienced tail looked long on paper, with 21-year-old Sundar – playing a first-class match since 2017 – at number seven and Thakur, with a first-class average of 16.00, at eight.

Sundar, known mainly for his off-spin, was only in Australia as a net bowler but an India injury crisis that has seen them lose an entire team resulted in him winning a first Test cap.

BBC