‘They put Shubman Gill out…’: Australia great Mark Waugh baffled by India’s decision in Melbourne

It’s fair to say Shubman Gill’s dismissal from the fourth Test match between India and Australia at the MCG in Melbourne raised a few eyebrows. The fact that Gill was replaced by an all-rounder – Washington Sundar – instead of another specialist batsman, as India’s batting has failed to cross the 300-run mark except on one occasion in this Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri and former batsman Sanjay Manjrekar disagreed with India’s decision to replace Gill with Sundar in the Boxing Day Test, but no one was more confused than former Australian batsman Mark Waugh.

Waugh was perplexed to see Gill, who was so desperately wanted in India’s XI when he missed the first Test due to a finger injury, fail to find a place in the XI in the fourth Test.

“When Shubman Gill injured his finger they were desperate to bring him in and now they have started him out and wanted an extra bowling option. Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy can both bowl and Gill obviously can’t,” Waugh said on comment.

Gill got going in both innings of the pink ball but failed to capitalize on them. He was out cheaply in the previous test. The Indian team management was reportedly not happy with the way Gill came out. Barring a good delivery from Mitchell Starc in Adelaide, Gill has lost his wicket to half volleys in this series. The fact that his average is below 30 in SENA countries and he has not crossed the 40-run mark in his last seven overseas Tests did not help his cause.

Bumrah brings India back after Australia’s top-four 50s

Australia’s top four all hit 50 or better on Thursday to take a firm grip on day one of the fourth Test against India, with fearless teenage opener Sam Konstas stealing the show.

Batting after captain Pat Cummins won the toss on a steamy day, the hosts reached 311-6 in front of more than 87,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

They were helped by some inconsistent early bowling and a flying start from Konstas.

The 19-year-old blasted a hugely entertaining 60 off 65 balls in a debut to remember, knocking 18 off a Jasprit Bumrah and having a run-in with superstar Virat Kohli.

At the close, Steve Smith was not out on 68 and Pat Cummins was on eight. Marnus Labuschagne made 72 and Usman Khawaja 57.

All the bowlers were punished but they rallied with four wickets in the final session, including dangerman Travis Head for a duck, to pull back into the contest.

Bumrah led the attack and finished with 3-75.