Australian players celebrates the wicket of India's Jasprit Bumrah during play on the last day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake Australian players celebrates the wicket of India's Jasprit Bumrah during play on the last day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake Australia defeated India by 184 runs in the final moments of the fifth day to eke out a stunning victory in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Day 5 Blog | Full Coverage | More Cricket News)fb777
The game seemed headed towards a draw after Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal played out a wicketless second session. Australia needed seven wickets in the last session to win the Test match. Pant's wicket triggered a dramatic collapse in the last session of the day and India slumped from 121/3 to 155 all out.
With this win, Australia take a 2-1 lead over India in the series ahead of the final match in Sydney that begins January 3.
The final day began with Jasprit Bumrah taking the last wicket of Australian innings without much delay. Bumrah's dismissal of Lyon early on the day was his fifth wicket of the innings. This became his third five-wicket haul in this series, making him the second Indian to do so in Australia after Anil Kumble.
frenzy slotsAustralia, bowled out for 234, set a 340-run target for India.
South Korea, meanwhile, are placed fourth in the standings with 6 points, with one win, three draws, and one loss. They were surpassed by China, who secured 2 wins and as many points. Korea’s season began with a 5-5 draw against Japan, followed by a 2-2 draw with Pakistan, their first victory with a 3-2 win over China, 3-1 loss at the hands of India and a 3-3 draw against Malaysia in their final pool match.
Chen Benhai gave the hosts the lead with a fine field goal in the first quarter following an enterprising team move. But the highlight of the match was Chao Jieming's sensational solo effort in the second quarter.
India Vs Australia, Boxing Day Test: Manjrekar, Langer Praise Bumrah's Record Bowling AverageWith almost the entire day remaining, chances of win for India were possible even though quite far fetched. However, another failure of big names like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli doused India's tiny hopes of winning the game.
Rohit was dismissed for nine while Kohli scored five. In between the two veterans, KL Rahul too departed without scoring. India were reduced to 33 for three before Pant and Jaiswal stitched an 88-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
However, in the final session, Pant fell to the part-time spin of Travis Head for 30. Even with India trying to draw the match, Pant could not hold himself from playing an unnecessary lofted shot on the leg side that was caught by Mitchell Marsh on long on.
Ravindra Jadeja and first innings centurion Nitish Kumar Reddy could not add much to the total and departed soon.
Washington Sudar then accompanied Jaiswal in the middle but the latter was soon dismissed in a controversial fashion. He was given not out for caught behind but the third umpire overturned the on-field call after Australia reviewed. Even though the snicko did not catch the edge, the third umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat of Bangladesh noticed a deflection from the front on angle and made his decision. Jaiswal departed for 84 and that essentially was the final nail on the coffin.
The pacers could not resist much and Sundar remained stranded on five as India were bowled out for 155. Pat Cummins and local boy Scott Boland picked three wickets each for Australia.
Cummins was given the Player of the Match award for his crucial 40s in both innings and six wickets in the game.fb777
