India vs Australia: Mitchell Starc’s hamstring a big concern for Australia ahead of Day 5

India vs Australia: Mitchell Starc’s hamstring a big concern for Australia ahead of Day 5
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc celebrates a wicket

The fourth and final Test between India and Australia is interestingly poised with the hosts being the favorites to win. However, with the rain forecast and the visitors’ resilience, it is hard to predict as to which way the decisive match would go. India need 324 runs to win the Test match but it seems likely that a draw would be more than enough for them as it would also mean the Border-Gavaskar trophy is retained.

Australia on the other hand, would want one result and one result only – to skittle out the Indians and win the match to reclaim the trophy. With the Brisbane pitch misbehaving at times and cracks opening up, India won’t have the pitch as easy as they did during their rearguard in Sydney during the third Test.

Australia sweat over Mitchell Starc’s fitness

Starc
Mitchell Starc

Australia were dealt an injury scare during India’s second innings when Mitchell Starc who bowled the first over clutched at his right hamstring while walking off after rain intervened to cut short Day 4. The hosts are now sweating over whether their ace pacer will be fit enough to bowl at his best on the crucial final day.

Steve Smith spoke at the press about Starc’s injury and said, “I saw the same thing walking back – he was grabbing at his right hamstring I think it was, so I’m sure he’ll get assessed by the medical staff. One thing I know about Mitchell is he’s tough and he’s played through some injuries before and got the job done, so he’ll be hopefully good to go tomorrow.”

Australia would dearly want Starc to be fit on Day 5 in order to help in bundling out India and get their hands on the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

Also Read: India vs Australia: ‘The tour has tested India not just physically but mentally as well,’ says Sunil Gavaskar