Melbourne, 4th Test, Day 5
Australia 474 (Smith 140; Bumrah 4-99) & 234 (Labuschagne 70; Bumrah 5-57)
India 369 (Reddy 114; Boland 3-57) & 155 (Jaiswal 84; Cummins 3-28)
Australia won by 184 runs and lead series 2-1
Australia clinched a thrilling victory by 184 runs over India on the final day of the fourth Test in Melbourne, taking a 2-1 series lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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| Pat Cummins was named player of the match for taking six wickets and scoring 49 and 41 with the bat. |
India, set a target of 340 in 92 overs, began cautiously, aiming for a draw. However, Australia's bowlers delivered an extraordinary final session, taking the last seven wickets for just 34 runs, as India were bowled out for 155.
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal fought valiantly, scoring 84 off 208 balls, as India slipped to 33-3 early. Jaiswal, alongside wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant (30 from 104 balls), showed resilience, but after Pant's dismissal, the collapse began.
Captain Pat Cummins and Scott Boland each claimed three wickets, with Nathan Lyon adding two. Bumrah, who had earlier impressed with the ball, took 5-57 in Australia’s second innings. The collapse was punctuated by a critical moment when Jaiswal was caught behind off Cummins with 21 overs remaining.
India's senior players continued to struggle. Captain Rohit Sharma fell cheaply, as did Virat Kohli, leaving the team under pressure. Despite Jaiswal's gritty effort, the collapse continued, with Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and others failing to resist the Australian attack.
Australia's victory was sealed when Cummins and Boland wrapped up the lower order, with Lyon claiming the final wicket to bowl India out.
With the win, Australia now looks forward to the series finale in Sydney, beginning January 2, where a victory would secure their spot in the World Test Championship final.
Reaction:
India's captain Rohit Sharma expressed disappointment, acknowledging missed opportunities. “We had our chances but didn’t take them, especially in the last-wicket partnership in Australia’s second innings,” he said.
Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain and player of the match, hailed the thrilling contest: “It was one of the best Test matches I’ve been part of. The crowd was incredible, and Steve Smith’s innings was key to setting us up for the win.”
Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann praised the team's performance, especially the key breakthrough from part-time spinner Travis Head, which changed the game.
India's fate now hinges on their performance in Sydney and results elsewhere, with the hope of making the World Test Championship final still alive, depending on Sri Lanka's series outcome.
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