In a dramatic Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia defeated India by 184 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The match saw an astonishing collapse from India in the final session, where they lost seven wickets for just 34 runs, handing Australia the victory and putting them one match away from claiming the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The Unlikely Chase: India’s Fight and Fall
India, set a daunting target of 340 runs to win, started the final day with hopes of either salvaging a draw or pushing for an unlikely victory. At the start of the second session on day five, India were comfortably placed at 112-3, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant looking solid at the crease. However, the situation took a dramatic turn after Pant’s wicket fell at 30, caught at the boundary from a wild shot.
India’s Middle Order Collapse
Following Pant’s departure, India’s middle order crumbled under pressure. Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Akash Deep were dismissed cheaply, leaving India teetering at 149-7. Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain and man-of-the-match, played a crucial role in dismantling India’s resistance. He took three wickets in the final session, including the key scalp of Jaiswal, who was dismissed for 84 after a gritty 208-ball knock.
Jaiswal’s dismissal was a point of contention, as he was initially given not out after a caught-behind appeal. However, upon review, the decision was overturned, with the TV umpire determining that the ball had changed direction off the bat, despite no sound being picked up by the technology.
Nathan Lyon ended the match when he trapped Mohammed Siraj lbw, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Australian team.
Pat Cummins’ Inspiration
Pat Cummins was the standout performer for Australia, contributing with both bat and ball. In the second innings, he scored a crucial 90 runs, marking his best batting performance in a Test match. With the ball, Cummins took 3-28 in the final session, leading the charge as India’s wickets fell rapidly.
Mitchell Starc, who took three wickets in the second innings, said that the team never lost belief in their ability to win, even as India looked solid during the early part of the day. The calmness and belief within the team, according to Starc, were key to their success in the final session.
India’s Struggle with Early Dismissals
The match had been largely shaped by Australia’s early breakthroughs, particularly the dismissals of India’s top-order. Cummins’ early scalps of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul left India’s middle order exposed, and Mitchell Starc’s dismissal of Virat Kohli on the final ball before lunch further dampened India’s chances of chasing down the target.
Rohit Sharma, who had struggled throughout the series, lamented the early dismissals of key Indian batsmen, which derailed their chase. He expressed disappointment at not being able to capitalize on the opportunities India had in the match.
Australia’s Last-Wicket Stand: A Turning Point
One of the pivotal moments in the match was the defiant 61-run partnership between Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland in Australia’s second innings. This stand frustrated India’s bowlers and significantly increased Australia’s lead, which proved to be the difference in the end.
India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, did their best to keep the chase alive, with Bumrah taking 5-57 in the second innings and nine wickets in the match. However, despite his efforts, India’s batsmen were unable to replicate that same level of resilience in the final innings.
Record Attendance and Electrifying Atmosphere
The MCG witnessed record-breaking attendance during the match, with 373,591 spectators passing through the gates over the five days of play. The atmosphere was electric, with both teams giving their all in a match that swung back and forth throughout.
Australia’s players, including Travis Head, spoke about how the crowds and the charged atmosphere inspired them to push through the final stages of the match. Head described it as one of the best Test matches he had ever been a part of, emphasizing the high level of competition between the two teams.
Looking Ahead: India’s Final Opportunity
India’s collapse means they now face a must-win situation in the final Test of the series, starting in Sydney on Friday. To retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India must win the match, but they will need to recover from the mental and emotional toll of their dramatic defeat in Melbourne.
For Australia, the victory has put them in a strong position to claim the series, but they will not rest on their laurels. With the series now on the line, both teams will head into the Sydney Test with everything to play for.
FAQs
- What was the final margin of Australia’s victory? Australia won the fourth Test by 184 runs, leading the series 2-1.
- Who was the standout player in the match? Pat Cummins was the standout performer, taking key wickets and scoring 90 runs in Australia’s second innings.
- What triggered India’s collapse in the final innings? India’s collapse was sparked by Rishabh Pant’s dismissal and the quick fall of middle-order batsmen, with Australia’s bowlers exploiting the pressure.
- What was the result of the series heading into the final Test? Australia leads the series 2-1, and India must win the final Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
- How many spectators attended the Test match in Melbourne? The match set a record attendance for any game of cricket in Australia, with 373,591 people attending over the five days.
