Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance shone in the afternoon session at the MCG as he claimed his 200th Test wicket, alongside two more, rattling Australia. Despite Marnus Labuschagne’s resilient second fifty of the match, India’s bowlers kept the hosts on edge. After conceding a 105-run first-innings lead, the Indian pacers excelled in the morning session. Bumrah dismissed Sam Konstas early, and Mohammed Siraj, regaining form, removed Usman Khawaja.
In a fiery second session, Siraj and Bumrah struck thrice in 10 deliveries, sending Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh back to the pavilion. Bumrah then breached Alex Carey’s defenses, reducing Australia to 91/6. Labuschagne, dropped twice by Yashasvi Jaiswal, capitalized to guide the lead past 200. Alongside captain Pat Cummins, he absorbed the pressure, taking Australia to 135/6 at Tea, slowing India’s momentum. Bumrah’s remarkable feat came with an unmatched average below 20 in Test cricket. In addition to the trio’s contributions, Australia extended their lead to 333 with a resilient unbeaten final-wicket partnership between Nathan Lyon (41* off 54) and Scott Boland (10* off 65).
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Bumrah Shines, but Australia’s Tail Takes Control
In one of the most riveting days of Test cricket, Jasprit Bumrah’s sensational performance swung the game into balance. However, Marnus Labuschagne and Pat Cummins contributed vital innings before the last-wicket duo of Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland extended Australia’s lead to 333, putting the game potentially out of India’s reach.
Despite staying competitive throughout the day, India’s hopes were dashed by Lyon and Boland, who forged a crucial 55-run partnership and remained unbeaten at stumps on day four. Bumrah came agonizingly close to dismissing Lyon for his fifth wicket in the final over, as KL Rahul secured an extraordinary catch at third slip. Unfortunately, the delivery was nullified by Bumrah’s no-ball. Lyon capitalized on the reprieve, smashing 14 runs off the over to finish with his joint second-highest Test score, ensuring Australia held the upper hand heading into the final day.
India Faces Historic Challenge in Pursuit of Victory
India’s final target is sure to evoke memories of the Gabba heroics in 2021, especially after the lower-order resistance kept them alive on day three. However, history is against them once more, as no team has ever chased a higher fourth-innings total for a win at the MCG. The record stands at England’s 332 for 7, achieved way back in 1928.
Adding to the occasion, a record-breaking crowd of 299,329 has turned up over the first four days, making this the highest-ever attendance for a Boxing Day Test.
Bumrah’s Milestone and India’s Missed Opportunities Shift the Game
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s maiden century narrowed Australia’s first-innings lead to 105, providing India with a fighting chance. With Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep making life difficult for the Australian top order, the home side struggled to score at just over two-and-a-half runs per over. At 80 for 2, with a lead of 185, Australia appeared to be in a comfortable position before the game took a dramatic turn.
Steven Smith’s dismissal triggered a stunning collapse of 4 for 11 in just three overs early in the afternoon session. This included Bumrah’s remarkable 200th Test wicket as he sent Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Alex Carey packing in a fiery spell.
However, a pivotal moment arrived at 99 for 6 when Marnus Labuschagne, on 46, was dropped in the gully by Yashasvi Jaiswal off Akash Deep’s bowling. Jaiswal’s struggles in the field compounded as he had earlier dropped Usman Khawaja and missed another chance to dismiss Pat Cummins at silly point before tea. These lapses allowed Australia to rebuild and maintain their edge in the contest.
Labuschagne and Cummins Grind as India’s Bowlers Shine
Labuschagne and Cummins stitched together a vital 57-run partnership, with every run feeling priceless, before Labuschagne was trapped lbw by Mohammed Siraj, who delivered his best performance of the series since Perth.
India’s new-ball attack in the morning was relentless on a surface offering more seam movement than previous days. Bumrah dismissed Sam Konstas with a delivery that seamed through the gate, celebrating animatedly, seemingly mirroring Konstas’ interactions with the crowd. Bumrah’s movement was so sharp at times that it left batters unable to make contact, while Siraj and Akash Deep also posed significant challenges. Siraj showcased the value of fuller lengths when he breached Usman Khawaja’s defenses with a seaming ball.
By lunch, Australia’s batters had been beaten an astonishing 21 times in 18 overs. While Labuschagne and Smith briefly tried to accelerate after the break, India’s bowlers quickly curtailed any such attempts, keeping the pressure firmly on.
Siraj created an opening by tempting Smith into chasing a wide delivery, prompting Rohit Sharma to seize the moment and reintroduce Bumrah, who delivered a breathtaking spell. With his second ball, Bumrah had Head flicking to forward square leg, and just four deliveries later, he ended Marsh’s lean series with a rising delivery that brushed the glove. Marsh’s struggles were evident, managing just 73 runs in seven innings, 47 of which came in a single knock. His place in the team will likely be a hot topic of discussion ahead of the Sydney Test, regardless of the outcome here.
Labuschagne Leads Amid Drama as Australia’s Lower Order Strengthens Grip
Bumrah’s sharp delivery to trap Alex Carey threatened to flip the game, just a day after India seemed destined to concede a lead of over 200. However, Labuschagne’s reprieve breathed new life into Australia’s innings.
Though runs came at a premium, Labuschagne showcased resilience, crafting one of his career’s most crucial knocks despite regularly being beaten. Small moments, like a nine-run over from Deep that included boundaries by Labuschagne and Cummins, hinted at momentum shifts.
Surviving Bumrah’s fiery post-tea spell felt like a win for Australia until Siraj delivered a stunning lbw to remove Labuschagne, upheld on umpire’s call. Mitchell Starc then fell to a mix-up with Cummins, with Rishabh Pant’s exceptional glovework and direct hit sealing the dismissal. Cummins followed soon after, edging Jadeja to slip, but not before registering his highest Test score.
Australia’s lower-order contributions have placed them in a commanding position, though uncertainty lingers.
Australia vs India 4th Test Summary
Australia 474 and 228 for 9 (Labuschagne 70, Lyon 41*, Bumrah 4-56, Siraj 3-66) lead India 369 (Reddy 114, Jaiswal 82, Boland 3-57, Cummins 3-89) by 333 runs
Looking Ahead to Day 5
What an eventful day it’s been. If there was one moment that summed it all up, it was Lyon’s edge that Rahul initially dropped, only to trap it between his shins, with the umpire then signaling a no-ball, denying Bumrah his well-deserved five-for. Bumrah has been exceptional, keeping India in the game and even sparking hopes of a stunning comeback. However, he has also been pushed to his limits.
Meanwhile, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon have now batted for 110 balls together, and despite the resilient effort, Australia remains the favourites to win, with a draw now likely the second-most probable outcome. With Australia leading by 333 runs, India faces a monumental task ahead. Even if Australia declares at the start of tomorrow’s play, chasing this down will require something truly remarkable from India.
Join us tomorrow for more of this captivating contest. See you then!
FAQs
What is the current situation heading into Day 5 of the Test match?
Australia leads by 333 runs, and India faces a tough task to chase down the target, even if Australia declares tomorrow morning.
What did Bumrah achieve on Day 4?
Bumrah delivered a superb performance but was denied a five-wicket haul due to a no-ball after Rahul dropped Lyon’s edge, later catching it between his shins.
Who contributed to Australia’s lower order on Day 4?
Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon batted for 110 balls, extending Australia’s lead and keeping India at bay.
How has India fared with the ball?
Bumrah has been exceptional, but India has struggled to break Australia’s lower order. Siraj and Bumrah were key wicket-takers, but the game is still in Australia’s favor.
What are the likely outcomes as the match progresses?
Australia is in a strong position to win, with a draw being the second most probable outcome. India’s hopes of a win are slim unless something extraordinary happens.
