Category: Cricket

What a thrilling game of Test cricket! Australia delivered a decisive push in the final session to secure a commanding victory, taking a 2-1 lead in the series. At Tea, India stood at 112/3, with Pant and Jaiswal holding firm and seemingly on track to save the match. However, Australia knew one breakthrough could shift the momentum, and that’s exactly what happened.

Pant fell while attempting a big shot, triggering a collapse. The remaining Indian batters crumbled under pressure, losing seven wickets for just 34 runs. This collapse highlights a key lesson: give the Aussies a chance, and they’ll seize it ruthlessly. Boland and Lyon were outstanding, wrapping up the game with clinical precision.

Australia Triumph in Dramatic MCG Test to Lead Border Gavaskar Trophy 2-1

In the final hour at the MCG, Australia clinched a remarkable Test victory, played before a record crowd, to secure a 2-1 lead in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The hosts claimed seven wickets in the final session, overturning India’s steady progress as they looked poised to save the game. Yashasvi Jaiswal resisted valiantly for 208 deliveries before falling to the relentless Pat Cummins, while local hero Scott Boland delivered three crucial breakthroughs to seal one of Australia’s most significant wins in recent history.

Nathan Lyon capped off the triumph by trapping Mohammed Siraj lbw, igniting jubilant celebrations. The 184-run margin belied the nail-biting drama of the final day, underscoring the victory’s importance for an Australian side that has rebounded spectacularly after their crushing defeat in Perth.

Australia’s Bowlers Shine as India Collapse in Dramatic Final Session

After India stumbled to 33 for 3, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant stitched together a resilient 88-run partnership over 32 overs, taking India into the final session with seven wickets in hand. However, Travis Head’s crucial dismissal of Pant swung the momentum Australia’s way, triggering a dramatic collapse as India lost 7 for 34. The fast bowlers were relentless—Mitchell Starc bowled at mid-140kph despite a back niggle, while Pat Cummins and Scott Boland added new chapters to their storied MCG exploits. Cummins was awarded the Johnny Mullagh Medal as Player of the Match for his six wickets and an impactful 90 runs with the bat.

Controversy flared when Jaiswal’s gritty innings ended through a DRS call, with the third umpire ruling a glove on a leg-side pull despite Snicko showing no evidence. Jaiswal, appearing to acknowledge the contact, conversed with the umpires as he walked off. With 21 overs remaining, India’s lower order crumbled under relentless pressure, handing Australia a remarkable victory.

India’s WTC Final Hopes Hang by a Thread, Australia Eye Dominant Series Win

India’s defeat leaves their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final dependent on other results. However, they still have an opportunity to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a win in Sydney.

For Australia, a victory in the final Test would not only seal a 3-1 series triumph but also confirm their place in the WTC final, joining South Africa, who secured qualification with a thrilling win over Pakistan.

Australia Crush Indian Hopes with Early Breakthroughs on Final Day

The final day began with Australia resuming their innings at nine down, adding just six runs but crucially shaving off four overs from the day’s play. Nathan Lyon became Jasprit Bumrah’s fifth victim, extending his record of the most Test runs without a half-century. India faced a target of 340 in 92 overs, stirring memories of their iconic Gabba 2021 triumph, though this chase always appeared improbable.

India adopted a cautious approach early, dealing with some intense new-ball bowling. Rohit Sharma later admitted their intent was to build a platform, but Australia’s relentless attack made inroads. Pat Cummins, as so often, delivered the breakthroughs, dismissing Rohit with a sharp catch at gully by Mitchell Marsh and squaring up KL Rahul with a superb delivery to first slip.

Just before lunch, Mitchell Starc, battling through pain, tempted Virat Kohli into a loose drive outside off, with Usman Khawaja completing the catch. Kohli’s dismissal capped off a frustrating Melbourne outing and extinguished any realistic hopes of an Indian chase.

Australia’s Breakthrough After Tea Sparks Collapse

Jaiswal and Pant batted resolutely through the afternoon, countering everything Australia threw their way. Jaiswal, despite dropping three catches the previous day, including a crucial one off Marnus Labuschagne, brought up his second fifty of the match off 127 balls after surviving a tight lbw appeal from Starc on 31.

India reached 121 for 3 shortly after tea when Travis Head, brought on partly to boost Australia’s over rate and avoid WTC points deductions, bowled a short ball outside off stump. Pant attempted a pull but found Mitchell Marsh at long-on, who completed a brilliant catch. The dismissal gave Australia an opening and renewed belief.

Pat Cummins quickly turned to Scott Boland, who made a ball rear up at Ravindra Jadeja, taking the shoulder of the bat through to Alex Carey. In Lyon’s next over, Nitish Kumar Reddy, India’s first-innings hero, edged a straight delivery to Steven Smith, who grabbed an outstanding low catch at slip. Australia had snatched 3 for 9 in a rapid burst, breaking the innings wide open.

Controversial Dismissal and Dominant Bowling Seal Australia’s Victory

Jaiswal’s dismissal will undoubtedly be a major talking point in the days ahead, and the DRS was called into action once more to rule that Akash Deep had feathered an edge onto his pad, which was caught at short leg. By that point, Australia were in full control, with a new ball imminent, though it ultimately wasn’t needed.

Scott Boland continued his brilliance by finding Jasprit Bumrah’s outside edge, with Steven Smith taking yet another exceptional catch. Nathan Lyon then wrapped up the game by trapping Mohammed Siraj lbw with a delivery crashing into his front pad. India reviewed the decision, but it was clearly hitting the stumps. Lyon celebrated with a jubilant jig as Australia secured a memorable victory.

The Test drew a record crowd of 373,691 spectators, the highest ever for a Test match in Australia, and will be remembered as one of the most thrilling contests in recent history.

Australia vs India 4th Test Summary

Australia 474 (Smith 140, Labuschagne 72; Bumrah 4-99) and 234 (Labuschagne 70; Bumrah 5-57) beat India 369 (Reddy 114, Jaiswal 82; Boland 3-57) and 155 (Jaiswal 84; Cummins 3-28, Boland 3-39) by 184 runs

Looking Ahead to the 5th and Final Test at Sydney

That concludes a gripping Test match, one that kept us on the edge of our seats. It’s rare to see a Test match stretch into the fifth day, but both teams gave their all, battling for every inch. Australia’s victory puts them in a strong position for WTC final qualification, with South Africa already secure. A win in Sydney will guarantee Australia’s spot, regardless of their result against Sri Lanka later on.

For India, the equation is clear: they must win the final Test and then rely on Sri Lanka to defeat Australia by at least a 1-0 margin. Any loss or draw in Sydney will end India’s hopes of making it to the WTC final. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is also on the line, and Australia, who haven’t won a Test series against India in a decade, have a golden opportunity to do so now.

India’s only remaining path to qualify for the WTC final is to win the final Test and hope Sri Lanka defeats Australia in both their upcoming matches. A draw or loss for India in Sydney will spell the end of their hopes.

The final day of this Test match mirrored the 2014 Adelaide Test in many ways. Just like that match, India seemed to be cruising until a mistimed shot to Mitchell Marsh opened the floodgates.

The 5th and final Test will take place from January 3 to January 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting at 10:30 AM local time (5:00 AM IST).

Read More: Australia vs India 4th Test: Day 4 Match Report as Lyon and Boland Frustrate India as Australia’s Lead Surpasses 300 Following Bumrah’s Middle-order Blitz

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