XtraTime Web Desk: The umpires were forced to take early stumps on Day 4 during the fourth test at SCG due to bad light and poor weather conditions. This is the first time in last 30 years that an Aussie side is following on at home. Usman Khwaja (4*) and Marcus Harris (2*) were at the crease as the home side is still trying by 316 runs. They were earlier all out on 300 runs.
Earlier, the morning session was washed out due to persistent drizzle and bad light. Without a single ball bowled in the session that was scheduled to start 30 minutes before the regular time, India were in command since the beginning. The visitors are 2-1 up in the four-match series and eyeing a first-ever Test series win Down Under. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed a five-wicket haul, his second in Test cricket, as India wrapped up Australia for 300, with a lead of 322 runs. Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami took two wickets each, while Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Peter Handscomb (37) to join the party. Aggressive rookie opener Marcus Harris blazed a career-best 79 to lead Australia’s fight on Day 3. However, prominent batsmen Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Tim Paine failed to deliver yet again under pressure situation.
As stumps on Saturday, Australia were 236/6 in 83 overs as the umpires took the players off the field due to the deteriorating lighting condition. To cover the 16.3 overs lost on the third day, the play is scheduled to start 30 minutes before the regular time in the last two days.