India went into the final day of the Boxing Day Test with strong hopes of getting a draw, but Australia’s relentless bowlers, led by Pat Cummins, kept the pressure on and sealed a remarkable victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The win came in front of a record crowd as Australia took a 2-1 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having snatched seven wickets in the final session when it seemed India were on course to save the match.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, in a valiant rearguard effort, defied Australia’s bowlers for 208 deliveries before eventually falling to a superb delivery from Cummins. Meanwhile, Scott Boland, the hometown hero, produced a match-winning performance, taking three crucial wickets to help Australia secure one of their most significant victories in recent history.
It ended in dramatic fashion as Nathan Lyon claimed the last wicket by bowling Mohammed Siraj lbw. The Australians, their players and fans erupted in a spree of wild celebrations. In black and white, 184 runs could seem an easy margin but did not reflect the great tension and drama of the last day. The result was especially significant for Australia, who had turned their fortunes around after a crushing defeat in Perth, and it marked a crucial moment in the series.
Jaiswal and Pant Fight Back
India’s fightback to save the Test came under pressure as they were already at 33 for 3. But Jaiswal, in a composed and determined performance, showed immense resilience, batting for 208 balls in a vital partnership with Rishabh Pant. Together, they added 88 runs in 32 overs and brought India into the final session of the day with seven wickets in hand. Their fightback gave India hope, and it seemed as if they might just cling on to salvage a draw.
However, the Australian bowlers were not going to let that slip away. Travis Head was the one who gave them the breakthrough when he sent Pant back into the hut, and from there, the home side took charge of the situation. India lost 7 wickets for a mere 34 runs, as the Australian pacers rose to the occasion and staged a miraculous turnaround. Mitchell Starc, despite having a back niggle, bowled at good pace in the mid-140kph region, while Cummins and Boland continued to shine with their disciplined and consistent bowling.
A Dramatic End for Jaiswal
The most dramatic moment of the day came when the resistance of Jaiswal finally broke. He was playing an impeccable knock but got dismissed through the DRS after he gloved a pull shot against Cummins. The review shown on the screen did not provide any evidence of the contact on Snicko. Sharfuddoula, the third umpire after reviewing the visual evidence ruled that Jaiswal indeed gloved the ball. This decision, even though controversial, was upheld by the on-field umpires, and Jaiswal seemed to accept it as he walked off, chatting briefly with the umpires.
The dismissal meant India’s lower order had to survive for 21 overs, but the pressure proved too much. With Jaiswal’s departure, Australia’s bowlers pounced, and the wickets tumbled quickly. It was a remarkable turnaround for Australia, who had earlier looked on the back foot after India’s solid fightback.
India’s World Test Championship Hopes Diminish
The defeat has dented India’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final pretty badly, as their fate is now out of their hands. However, they can still retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by winning the final Test in Sydney. This would ensure that India don’t leave empty-handed from the series, but the defeat in Melbourne leaves them with little margin for error.
A win for Australia would take them to a very crucial step closer to booking a berth in the WTC final. A victory in the final Test will ensure not only a 3-1 series win but also secure a place in the WTC final for Australia, which, along with South Africa, will now be booked through their thrilling victory over Pakistan. The stakes could not have been any higher for either team going into the Sydney Test and the series stays perfectly poised.
Resilience and Leadership by the Australians
Australia’s MCG victory was a victory of their resilience and sheer skill, especially after a crushing defeat at Perth. Victory here is a huge turn-around for the team that displayed great character in bouncing back. Pat Cummins, even with the pressure of being a leader, was simply outstanding throughout the game by leading from the front and taking crucial wickets. Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc’s contributions also proved to be invaluable, especially with Starc trying to bowl through a back niggle. Boland did his class in his hometown by proving to be a very important figure in Australia’s victory.
A true fortress for Australian cricket has, always been the MCG; in this match, just its rich history added on to its list. Australia, winning the series now, must take one win in Sydney and look toward a 3-1 series win. Nathan Lyon’s composure at the end and their fast bowlers’ performance put in a good display, telling that Australia is pretty close to sealing the deal going into the final Test.
Looking Ahead to the Decider
The series is going to Sydney for the decider, and the pressure mounts on both teams. India needs to win to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, while Australia has the chance to finish the series with a 3-1 margin and ensure their qualification for the WTC final. Both teams will look for series closure on a high note; the two teams, one being the hosts, have certainly provided cricket fans with entertainment to look forward to in what should promise to be another electrifying contest. The final set up is ready, the last Test has much more at stake for both, as they prepare for battle.
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