Australia Triumphs in Dramatic Fourth Test Win Over India
Australia secured a thrilling 184-run victory over India on the fifth day of the fourth Test in Melbourne, taking a 2-1 series lead ahead of the final match in Sydney. The dramatic turnaround came after Australia claimed seven wickets in the final session, capitalizing on a collapse that saw India lose 7-34, bowled out for 155 in front of a record-breaking crowd of 74,362 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Pant and Jaiswal Partnership Dominates Before Collapse
India began the post-tea session at 112/3, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (84) and Rishabh Pant (30) building a solid 88-run partnership. The duo appeared poised to steer India towards safety or an improbable chase of the 340-run target. However, Pant’s aggressive pull shot off part-time spinner Travis Head resulted in a deep catch by Mitchell Marsh, sparking the collapse.
Australia’s Bowlers Shine in the Decisive Session
Pat Cummins, leading from the front, claimed three wickets and was instrumental in breaking the Indian resistance. Scott Boland also took three scalps, while Nathan Lyon contributed two key dismissals. A contentious Decision Review System (DRS) decision saw Jaiswal dismissed after an apparent deviation on the ball, though Ultra Edge technology showed no conclusive evidence of contact with the bat. The dismissal provoked protests from Jaiswal and chants of “Cheater! Cheater!” from sections of the crowd.
Boland’s delivery dismissed Ravindra Jadeja (2), and Steve Smith’s brilliant slip catch removed Nitish Kumar Reddy (1). The tail offered minimal resistance, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj both falling for ducks. Lyon sealed the win, trapping Siraj lbw, bringing the thrilling contest to an end.
Pat Cummins Named Player of the Match
Cummins was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance, scoring 100 runs across both innings and taking six crucial wickets. Reflecting on the match, Cummins called it “one of the best to be part of,” expressing pride in the team’s performance and the electric atmosphere created by the Melbourne crowd. The match attendance totaled 373,691, setting a record for a Test match in Australia.
India’s Struggles and Rohit Sharma’s Disappointment
India captain Rohit Sharma lamented missed opportunities throughout the match. India failed to capitalize on several key moments, including their inability to dismiss Australia’s last-wicket pair on day four, which added a vital 61 runs. Bumrah’s 5-57 in the second innings and nine wickets for the match highlighted his standout performance, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
Rohit’s own struggles continued, as he managed just 31 runs across three matches, averaging 6.20—the lowest among specialist batters in the series.
Looking Ahead to Sydney
The defeat places India’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final in jeopardy. To qualify, they must win the final Test in Sydney and rely on favorable results in other series. For Australia, the victory bolsters their WTC chances and provides a confidence boost heading into the series decider.
This gripping Test, marked by dramatic swings and standout performances, will go down as one of the great contests in Melbourne’s cricketing history.
