Australia showcased their resilience and tactical prowess as they secured a comprehensive 184-run victory over India in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series and boosting their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final.India, set a daunting target of 340 on the final day, were bowled out for 155, losing their last seven wickets for just 34 runs in a dramatic collapse.
The visitors showed early promise, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (84) and Rishabh Pant (30) putting up a gritty partnership to raise hopes of a draw, but Australia's relentless attack, led by Scott Boland (3/39) and Nathan Lyon (2/37), proved too much for the Indian lower order.
India went to tea at 112/3, with Jaiswal and Pant holding firm, but the post-tea session turned disastrous. Pant, attempting to break the shackles, perished trying to clear long-on, caught brilliantly by Mitchell Marsh off Travis Head. That opened the floodgates, and wickets fell in quick succession. Jaiswal’s valiant resistance ended when he gloved a short ball from Pat Cummins to Alex Carey, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Australian players and fans.
Lyon and Boland then cleaned up the tail clinically. Mohammed Siraj was the last to fall, trapped lbw by Lyon to seal the match.The game was a rollercoaster, with both sides having their moments. Australia's first-innings total of 474, bolstered by key contributions from Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, set the tone. India fought back admirably, with Nitish Reddy scoring a defiant maiden Test century under pressure. Despite his heroics, India conceded a crucial 105-run lead.
The turning point of the match came during Australia's second innings. A series of missed opportunities, including three dropped catches by Jaiswal, allowed the hosts to set an imposing target. Lyon and Boland’s last-wicket stand of 61 proved vital, further demoralising the Indian bowlers.
In reply, India’s top order faltered against a fiery Australian attack, with Cummins dismissing Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul early. Virat Kohli’s departure for a single-digit score compounded India’s woes.
With this victory, Australia takes a vital 2-1 lead, heading into the fifth and final Test. For India, the defeat raises questions about their fielding and top-order stability, while Australia will be buoyed by their collective performance.The final Test promises to be a spectacle, with India looking to bounce back and Australia aiming to clinch the series.(UNI)
