India vs Australia 2023

'Gayi Test series hath se' - IND vs AUS 4th Test in Ahmedabad unlikely to be a rank turner

India-Australia fourth Test in Ahmedabad is unlikely to be a rank turner after all three Tests in the series got over in just three days.

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Akshay
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Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad (Image credit: Twitter)

Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad (Image credit: Twitter)

The final Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin in Ahmedabad on March 9, with India hoping to seal the series and qualify for the finals of the World Test Championship. All the matches in the series so far have ended in just three days and it was a miserable performance by Team India in the third Test where they were handed a rank turner. However, the Narendra Modi Stadium is not expected to have a rank turner like Indore, news agency PTI reported.

The Holkar Stadium in Indore received three demerit points and was rated 'poor' by Cricket Governing Body. Match referee Chris Broad felt the pitch was very dry and didn’t provide the right balance between bat and ball. With this in mind, now the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) is unlikely to risk its reputation by preparing yet another spin-friendly pitch that will earn it a black mark from the game's governing body.

"We haven't received any instructions from the Indian team management and our local curators are preparing a normal track as we have always done through the season. Obviously, last few days, the BCCI's grounds and pitches committee instruct the local curator. But certainly, from our end, our endeavour is to produce a good Test match pitch," a state association source told PTI.

Mohammad Shami set to make his return

India's senior fast bowler Mohammad Shami is expected to return to the playing XI for the final Test against Australia. Considering the workload, Umesh Yadav was chosen as the second pacer in the third Test in Indore, allowing Shami to rest.

The hosts will need the services of their star pacer as the Ahmedabad surface may favor reverse swing. Shami, who took seven wickets in 30 overs, has been the best pacer in the series so far for either team. Shami, who had played the first two Tests, is also a part of India’s ODI squad against Australia. Meanwhile, Siraj is likely to get some time off during the final Test.

India were expected to whitewash the series and seal their spot in the World Test Championship final. But after losing the first two Tests, the visitors bounced back and secured an impressive 9-wicket victory over India in the third Test.

India, currently, lead the series 2-1 but need to win the fourth Test to qualify for the WTC finals at London’s Oval in June. If India lose or the match ends in a tie or draw, they will have to rely on the result of Sri Lanka’s away series against New Zealand. Australia, meanwhile, will look to continue their dominance in the fourth Test and level the series 2-2.

This is how twitter reacted to Ahmedabad pitch report: 

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