What could have been an excellent day for India was marred by no-balls, missed fielding opportunities, and valuable lower-order contributions from Australia. The hosts ended the day at 228/9 in their second innings, extending their lead to a commanding 333 runs.
India worked tirelessly to claim the final two wickets, but Australia’s tailenders stood resolute. The unbeaten last-wicket stand between Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland, worth 55 runs off 110 deliveries, was particularly frustrating for the visitors. Australia might have been effectively bowled out if not for Jasprit Bumrah overstepping in the final over, which saw Lyon edge a delivery to the slips. That moment encapsulated the day’s frustrations for India.
As has been the case throughout the series, Jasprit Bumrah had swung the momentum in India’s favour with a fiery spell in the first session. He was unplayable at times, extracting movement and bounce from the pitch. His efforts bore fruit as he dismissed debutant Sam Konstas, who had dominated him in the first innings, with a peach of a delivery.
Returning after lunch, Bumrah delivered a devastating spell, running through Australia’s middle-order by removing Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Alex Carey in quick succession. His brilliance brought India back into the contest, even as Marnus Labuschagne stood firm at the other end, watching his partners falter. The scalp of Head also turned out to be Bumrah’s 200th Test wicket. He is now the only bowler to bag 200 Test scalps at an average of under 20.
Australian captain Pat Cummins provided steady support to a determined Marnus Labuschagne as the pair forged a crucial 57-run partnership, stabilising the innings. On a pitch where most batters struggled in the second innings, Labuschagne stood out with a composed and effective approach. He managed to score at a decent pace despite the slow rate of runs throughout the day. Just as he appeared set for a well-deserved century, Siraj ended his innings on 70 with a sharp nip-backer.
Bumrah got support from Mohammed Siraj, who looked threatening with both the new and old ball. Siraj eventually dismissed Usman Khawaja with a beauty for his first wicket. Later on, he also removed Steve Smith. As the ball got old, it began to lose its sharpness, coming onto the bat more easily. Even so, it occasionally beat the batters’ edges.
Fielding lapses proved costly for India, with three dropped catches, all by Jaiswal, leaving skipper Rohit Sharma visibly frustrated. The match is now perfectly poised heading into Day 5 of this Boxing Day Test, with all three results still possible. India will be eager to claim the final Australian wicket early in the morning, but any additional runs from Lyon and Boland could further diminish India’s chances.