IND vs AUS: What an incredible Test match! Australia needed a breakthrough in the final session, and they got it, securing an emphatic victory to go 2-1 up in the series. India were 112/3 at Tea, with Pant and Jaiswal batting well, and they believed they could save the match. However, Australia knew that one wicket could change everything, and that’s exactly what happened. Pant fell once again while attempting a big shot, which opened the floodgates.
With seven wickets left going into the final session, Australia managed to pull off a remarkable victory at the MCG.
Recap all the #AUSvIND action: https://t.co/LSqCHmFFaf pic.twitter.com/Zc5sgUnUpH---Advertisement---— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 30, 2024
The Indian batters collapsed quickly, with the Aussie attack relentless. India lost their last seven wickets for just 34 runs, highlighting how, when given a chance, the Aussies will capitalize – and they certainly did.
LYON DOES IT!
What a remarkable win for Australia! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/SGbA3R797X---Advertisement---— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 30, 2024
Evenly Poised Match
The game had lots of ups and downs. With this huge first-innings total of 474, Australia made the Indian team struggle on its day. India was gradually in command when a risk-ridden run-out of Jaiswal changed the direction.
Nitish Reddy answered in challenging conditions with his first Test century. But Australia did the rest by taking a lead of 105 runs which played out to be the matchwinner. India fought back with great strength, as Bumrah led the attack, while Siraj helped the cause.
It was a game of fine margins, and Australia emerged victorious when it mattered most. In the fourth innings, India played cautiously, aiming for a draw. However, this strategy sometimes backfires, and that’s exactly what happened as the Australians kept applying pressure and eventually reaped the rewards.
Player Of The Match: Pat Cummins
“What an amazing Test match, one of the best to be part of, the crowd has been ridiculous and cricket has been just as good, pretty happy change room at the moment, pretty happy to contribute. Marnus helped me out in the second innings big time, never really know what you going to get with our batting, fortunately it came off in this game.
Happy to contribute, amazing innings from Smith to hold the first innings together. Getting more than 400 in the first innings set the game for us. You always think anything can happen. We bowled well in the first session to have them 3/30. They batted well in the middle session. We knew that we had to get one breakthrough and anything can happen and that proved to be the case. We had plenty of runs to play with, we had plenty of fielders with the helmet around.
We talk about a lot about us as a lower order, we put a lot of work into it. We know it can be the difference in a lot of Test matches and we work on ourselves a lot, to try and contribute a few more runs. I give the coach the credit for that one, we were also behind on the over-rate so we thought let’s get Travis in there and he might get a breakthrough.
Amazing, it wasn’t an easy wicket, he showed how to bat on it. He got an opportunity and he pounced and really upped the ante with the tailenders. He also took some catches which often go unnoticed”.
All Eyes On Sydney Test
It is now a must-win Test for Team India in Sydney. India needs to win the final match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A defeat or a draw in Sydney would knock out Rohit Sharma’s side from World Test Championship qualification. It is a do-or-die affair for India as they strive to stay in the race for the World Test Championship.