Thread by @gauravsabnis

This stopped being in "positive declaration" territory after the target crossed 250. Australia are gonna keep batting until Paine's fear of losing this match falls below a certain threshold. Which shows how much this young indian team has impressed. #IndvAus

Btw there is nothing wrong with not wanting to lose. Paine saw how even an extremely safe declaration at Sydney could have ended in a loss if Pant had stayed a little while more. So can't fault him for not feeling safe at 275 with this much time left, even factoring rain in.

Paine has simultaneously been the luckiest and unluckiest captain in this series. Lucky to be given the weakest Indian team in years, that too on Aussie pitches. Unlucky because the Indian team doesn't seem to know that and the series is still alive. #INDvAUS

8 down and they are still batting. For 300 perhaps? If India escape with an 8 wicket draw tomorrow, it will be fun to see Paine squirm and bristle again. This is very conservative captaincy from Paine. Not wrong. But decidedly conservative. He still fears a loss. #IndvAus

Given the uneven surface and Siraj bowling, every ball is a potential finger injury for these Aussie bowlers. That last one to hit the crack could have easily injured Cummins. Are these extra 20-30 runs worth that risk? Paine seems to think so. #IndvAus

Oooh, our bowlers get a go at Hazlewood's fingers too? Thank you, Tim. 😂 #IndvAus