IND vs AUS: Australia defeated India by a significant margin of 184 runs in the fourth Test, which was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), thereby winning their first Boxing Day Test against India in the last 12 years. This win has put Australia in a crucial 2-1 lead in the five-match series, with only one Test remaining in Sydney, scheduled to start on January 3, 2025. India’s fourth-innings chase of 340 could not be completed, getting bowled out for 155 runs, thus putting Australia in a great lead.
India’s Collapse on IND vs AUS, Day 5
India’s hopes of overhauling the target remained an unfulfilled dream on the fifth and final day of the match. The visiting side, requiring 340 runs to win, fell all out for just 155 runs after 79.1 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal showed resilience in his fighting 84 runs, but in the end, it was in vain as Australia emerged winners. The main cause behind their downfall was the Indian team’s failure to bat. In fact, the batting failed them mainly from the stalwarts in the team; therefore, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant failed to do something significant to ensure a decent position for the country.
Australia First Innings and India’s Rebound
In the first innings, Australia scored a challenging 474 runs. India’s response was pretty good but not good enough, as they were all out for 369, which gave Australia a lead of 105 runs. Bumrah and his other bowling mates had managed to keep the match in balance, but the collapse of batting in the second innings sealed the fate of the team. Australia capitalized on that opportunity, despite India’s efforts by their bowlers in the last sessions.
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Lower-Order Defiance and Missed Opportunities
One of the defining moments of the match came from Australia’s lower order. Their eighth, tenth, and eleventh batsmen fought resolutely for almost 35 overs, frustrating the Indian bowlers. This defiance played a crucial role in Australia’s ability to stretch their first-innings total and eventually set India a daunting target. India’s bowlers were unable to capitalize on key moments, and the performance of the lower order contributed significantly to their defeat.
Unlucky Break for Bumrah and Fielding Blunders
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India’s main bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, too had a not-so-lucky day during the game. When he was inches away from picking his fifth wicket of the innings in Nathan Lyon, he stepped out and delivered a no-ball, which was against him. It was a moment that hurt India because it could have given them a very crucial breakthrough. Moreover, India’s fielding on the last day was substandard. Yashasvi Jaiswal, although he batted very solidly, dropped three catches which once again didn’t allow India to get any foothold in the Australian batting.
Australia’s Way to WTC Final
With this win, Australia not only took a 2-1 lead in the series but also revived their hope to reach the World Test Championship (WTC) final. With such a comprehensive victory over India in the Boxing Day Test, Australia is very well positioned to go on and further compete in the competition. Still, the series is not over, and India has to regroup quickly to level the series in the test match that is scheduled for Sydney starting January 3, 2025.
Final Test in Sydney: Preview
The fifth and final Test in the series will be critical for both teams. Australia’s victory has given them a significant advantage, but India would be eager to bounce back and level the series. With both teams targeting the WTC final, the Sydney Test promises to be a thrilling decider as India looks to recover from the Boxing Day defeat and regain the momentum in the series.
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