'Half Indian team better than fully-fit Aus': Akhtar lauds Men in Blue's Gabba fightback

Impressed with India's resilient fight against Australia despite being dealt with several injuries, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has showered praise on visitor's ability to punch above ir weight. former Pakistan cricketer, who had also praised India after MCG victory, said that entire Indian team has been ruled out with injuries and are playing with 'kids'. He added that if Men in Blue mand to bag a victory with this team n it would be most significant win in history of cricket. 

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Akhtar remarked, "Most of ir players are injured but this is beauty of Indian team that despite all setbacks, y are playing with kids who never would have thought in ir wildest of dream that y'll have to play against Australia in such a scenario. With Australia coming with full strength and India stopping ir onslaught, I’d believe that this half Indian team is better than fully-fit Australia."

Moreover, he praised 'character' shown by Indian team despite losing its main players. “With so many injuries, only two big-name players are left - Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane. Inexperienced Indian players are up against a ball of fire but y are making sure that Australia is being tested," he said. Akhtar also stated that a lot depends on Rohit Sharma adding that if opener mans to score a double hundred, n match would be in India's pockets. 

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India dealt with injury blows

India's Test series began with Mohammed Shami's injury in first game at Adelaide after which Umesh Yadav was ruled out of series post Boxing Day Test. Men in Blue, who were already without services of Ishant Sharma and Bhuvenshwar Kumar, n lost Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari after ir heroics at SCG. In third Test, Ravindra Jadeja also sustained an injury and was consequently ruled out for six weeks. Prior to Jadeja, KL Rahul had to fly back home due to a wrist injury. Team India is also without skipper Virat Kohli, who returned back home after first Test for birth of his child. As a result, Indian playing XI fielded at Brisbane for final battle had bagged less wickets in Tests than Steve Smith who has 13 in his bag. 

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India bowled out for 336 at Gabba

Josh Hazlewood was pick of bowlers for Australia on Day three at Gabba as he bagged a fifer, helping hosts bowl out a dangerous India for 336 runs. A spectacular and resilient kck from Washington Sundar along with Shardul Thakur propelled India to falling just 33 runs short of taking lead in first innings of Border-Gavaskar Trophy decider. Debutant Washington Sundar carried on with onslaught after Shardul Thakur's departure and was dismissed by Starc for 62 runs after having faced 144 deliveries and smashing seven fours and a six. Hazlewood, who already had three wickets in his bag from first two sessions, dismissed Navdeep Saini after which a clean bowled that dismissed Siraj. 

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India lost big wicket of skipper Ajinkya Rahane to a poor shot just before lunch as y reached 161 for four on third day of series-deciding fourth Test against Australia here on Sunday. This was after Mitchell Starc induced a thick edge off Rahane for Matw Wade to complete a comfortable catch in slip cordon after India captain had got away with similar shots twice in first hour of play. visitors started with ir overnight pair of Rahane (37) and Cheteshwar Pujara (25) adding 43 runs before latter fell to anear unplayable delivery by Josh Hazlewood in only his second over of day.

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