India vs Australia 4th Test: Australia beat India by 184 runs, take 2-1 lead in Border-Gavaskar Trophy
PTC Web Desk: Australia secured a dominant 184-run victory over India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday, taking a 2-1 lead in the prestigious series. The win also dealt a blow to India's hopes of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord's.
India resumed their innings on Day 5 at 112/3, with Rishabh Pant (28) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (84) looking to steer their team towards a victory. However, the 59th over turned out to be the game-changer. Travis Head's spell proved decisive, as he dismissed Rishabh Pant in the fourth ball of the over. Pant attempted to send the ball over the long-on but lacked power, allowing Mitchell Marsh to take a superb catch.
Boland and Cummins lead Australian attack
The Aussie bowling attack continued to dismantle India's middle order. Ravindra Jadeja, who replaced Pant, couldn't settle in and was dismissed by Scott Boland for just two runs. India was 127/5 in the 63rd over.
Nitish Kumar Reddy, India's first-innings hero, joined the crease under pressure but fell victim to Nathan Lyon's fiery spell. Reddy was dismissed for just one run, leaving India at 132/6 after 64 overs.
Washington Sundar and Jaiswal then tried to build a partnership, but in the 71st over, skipper Pat Cummins took a controversial wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal attempted a pull shot against a short delivery, and despite the on-field umpire's original decision of "not out," the third umpire overruled it after reviewing the visuals, which showed the ball touching Jaiswal's glove. This controversial decision was met with jeers from the Indian crowd.
Australia's dominance continues
With Jaiswal's departure, India's hopes of drawing the match faded. Boland dismissed Akash Deep for seven runs in the 77th over, and Australia inched closer to victory. In the 79th over, Boland removed Jasprit Bumrah for a duck, leaving India at 150/8.
Mohammed Siraj and Sundar remained on the crease but couldn't withstand the pressure. Siraj became Lyon's second victim, dismissed for a duck in the 79.1st over, giving Australia a comprehensive 184-run victory.
Bowling highlights
Scott Boland and Pat Cummins were the stars of the Australian bowling attack, each taking three wickets. Nathan Lyon claimed two wickets, while Mitchell Starc and Travis Head took one each.
With this significant win, Australia now leads the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1, moving a step closer to clinching the series.
Brief Score:
Australia: 474 & 234 (Marnus Labuschagne 70, Nathan Lyon 41; Jasprit Bumrah 5-57)
India: 369 & 155 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 84, Rishabh Pant 30; Pat Cummins 3/28)
- ANI
