The Australian cricket team faced a moment of concern on Day 3 of the fourth Test against India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series when opener Usman Khawaja injured his knee during fielding. The incident occurred in the final session of the Boxing Day Test, raising fears of a possible setback for the left-handed batter.
Khawaja, who struggled for form in the first three Tests with just 63 runs in six innings, appeared to have turned a corner in the first innings of this match. He played a composed knock of 57 runs off 121 balls, helping Australia build a solid foundation. However, while fielding in the 104th over of India’s innings, Khawaja’s knee seemed to get stuck in the turf as he attempted to stop a single nudged by Nitish Kumar Reddy.
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Fortunately, he quickly got back on his feet and continued fielding without visible discomfort. This was not the only injury concern for Australia on the day. Fast bowler Mitchell Starc was spotted receiving treatment for back discomfort from team physio Nick Jones near the boundary, while middle-order batter Travis Head took a painful blow to his ankle while fielding at silly mid-off. Head’s bravery in holding his position against a powerful cover drive from Washington Sundar exemplified the grit of the Australian side.
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On the Indian front, all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar mounted a spirited lower-order comeback after early wickets had put the visitors under pressure. Their remarkable century partnership for the eighth wicket not only ensured India avoided the follow-on but also put the game on a trajectory toward a potential draw.
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By the tea break, India had reached 326/7, trailing Australia by 148 runs. Nitish Kumar remained unbeaten on a resilient 85*, while Sundar supported him with a steady 40*. The duo’s efforts kept India in the game, providing hope of reducing the deficit further and setting the stage for an intriguing final phase of the match. With two well-set batters at the crease, the Indian team will aim to push closer to Australia’s first-innings total.
