Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav takes five, India enforce follow-on

Kuldeep Yadav

Yadav, the 24-year-old Indian wrist spinner playing his first Test in Australia, finished with figures of 5/99 in 31.5 overs. He took the last two first-innings wickets to fall on Sunday, 6 January, trapping both Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood in front.

Lyon attempted to sweep, but was caught on the toe by a full toss, while Hazlewood was taken in by a googly. The bowler added their scalps to the ones of Usman Khawaja, Travis Head and Tim Paine from the previous day.

It meant Australia finished their first hit still trailing by 322 runs. India enforced the follow-on, for only of the second time ever against Australia since 1986. In fact, no side has asked Australia to follow on at home since England did so in 1988.

The home side were on 6/0 with Khawaja and Marcus Harris in the middle when bad light stopped play and stumps were called without the players returning.

Day four had begun half an hour early to make up for the overs lost on Saturday, but it made no difference. Rain washed out the whole first session – and when it wasn't raining, it was bad light delaying the start.

A little after lunch, the skies cleared enough for the players to come onto the field. Mohammed Shami struck in the second over, rattling Pat Cummins' off stump and Australia, who had resumed on 236/6, lost their seventh wicket.

Jasprit Bumrah ended Peter Handscomb's resistance when he dragged a delivery outside off onto his stumps. Yadav got Lyon the very next over, and would have had Hazlewood too but for Hunuma Vihari dropping him.

The last-wicket pair of Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood frustrated the bowlers, adding 42 until Yadav dismissed the latter. Hazlewood reviewed the decision against him, only for it to return 'umpire's call'.

Back for their second innings, the Australian openers saw out four overs before umpires called off play. Only 25.2 overs were bowled all day. Play is set to start half an hour early on Monday, with 98 overs scheduled, but the forecast shows more of the same weather.

India lead the series 2-1, and should this match finish in a draw, they will win their first-ever series in Australia.

IndiaAustraliaKuldeep Yadav 12/14/1994Australia vs India - SeriesMen's News