In front of a record attendance at the MCG, the Australian bowlers triggered a collapse, taking seven wickets for just 34 runs in the final session, which helped the hosts wrap up a famous win over India by 184 runs as they head to Sydney with a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
After losing three wickets in the final session, India’s approach clearly shifted toward securing a draw. With just 38 overs to bat, seven wickets in hand, and set batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant at the crease, the game appeared to be heading for a stalemate. Both batters adopted a cautious approach, but it was India’s nemesis- Travis Head who once again turned the tide by dismissing Pant. In a moment of poor shot selection, Pant fell to a long hop, hitting it straight to the fielder instead of dispatching it to safety. It was a gamble by Australia that paid off well.
Earlier in the day, India looked in trouble heading into lunch. However, a wicketless second session stabilized the innings and gave the visitors hope. Pant showed impressive restraint, while Jaiswal, after repeatedly playing and missing in the morning, improved his execution and shot selection as the ball softened. Their partnership offered India a glimmer of hope, as they managed to survive the second session without further losses, lifting spirits after being cornered at 33/3.
Pant’s dismissal, however, shifted the pressure onto Jaiswal. The young opener faced a monumental task to save the day for his team. Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar were expected to step up, but the lower middle-order faltered when India needed them most. Jadeja fell to Scott Boland, while Nitish, the hero of the first innings, couldn’t replicate his earlier performance. Sundar fought valiantly but ran out of partners, leaving India unable to secure the draw.
The Indian batters have only themselves to blame for their poor shot selection, which proved costly in this match. Whether it was Virat Kohli once again falling to a drive, Pant playing a reckless shot, or Jaiswal attempting to hit a ball that he could have comfortably left, the decisions at the crease were questionable throughout.
Jaiswal fell to a delivery from Pat Cummins in a controversial manner. The Australian captain, as he often does, swung the momentum back in his team’s favor with a crucial breakthrough. Once Jaiswal departed, it was only a matter of time before Australia cleaned up the Indian innings. Scott Boland delivered two of the last three blows, while Nathan Lyon claimed the final wicket to seal a memorable victory.
Australia’s bowlers operated as a cohesive unit, complementing each other perfectly. Mitchell Starc, despite picking up just one wicket, was relentless and posed enough challenges to the Indian batters. Cummins and Boland shared three wickets apiece, Lyon contributed with two, and Head chipped in with one to complete one of the most iconic wins at the MCG.