Melbourne, December 30 : The Indian cricket team finds itself in deep trouble on the final day of the Boxing Day Test against Australia. Chasing a daunting target of 340 runs, India reached lunch at 33/3, still requiring 307 runs to secure an improbable victory. Yashasvi Jaiswal remains unbeaten on 14 runs as India’s hopes hang by a thread.
India’s Rocky Start in the Run Chase
Set a challenging target of 340 runs, India began their second innings cautiously, with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma adding 25 runs for the first wicket. However, disaster struck when Australian skipper Pat Cummins delivered a game-changing over, dismissing both Sharma and KL Rahul in quick succession, leaving India reeling.
Rohit was the first to depart, caught behind for 11, followed immediately by Rahul, who was clean bowled for a duck. The pressure mounted further when Mitchell Starc sent Virat Kohli back to the pavilion for just 5 runs. Kohli’s dismissal at the score of 33 brought the lunch break, leaving India with an uphill battle.
Australia’s Second Innings: Labuschagne Leads the Charge
Earlier in the day, Australia concluded their second innings at 234 runs, setting India a stiff target of 340. Marnus Labuschagne played a pivotal role, scoring a resilient 70. Contributions from skipper Pat Cummins (41) and Nathan Lyon (41) bolstered Australia’s total.
The highlight of the innings was a spirited last-wicket partnership of 61 runs between Lyon and Scott Boland, with Boland remaining unbeaten on 15.
For India, Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers, claiming five wickets. Mohammed Siraj added three scalps, while Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with one wicket.
India’s First Innings: Reddy’s Century Shines Bright
In response to Australia’s massive first-innings total of 474, India posted a respectable 369 runs, thanks to Nitish Reddy’s sensational century. The young batter anchored the innings with a gritty knock of 114 runs, supported by half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (82) and Washington Sundar (50).
Other contributions came from Virat Kohli (36) and KL Rahul (24), but the middle and lower order failed to capitalize on the solid platform.
For Australia, Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, and Nathan Lyon shared the spoils, taking three wickets each.
Australia’s First Innings: Smith’s Masterclass
Australia’s batting dominance began with their imposing first-innings total of 474 runs. Steve Smith delivered a vintage performance, scoring a majestic 140 runs to anchor the innings. He received ample support from Marnus Labuschagne (72), Usman Khawaja (57), and Sam Constas (60).
Pat Cummins narrowly missed a half-century, scoring 49, while Alex Carey added a valuable 31 runs lower down the order.
India’s bowling unit struggled to make early inroads, with Jasprit Bumrah taking four wickets and Ravindra Jadeja picking up three. Akashdeep and Washington Sundar managed two and one wickets, respectively.
India’s Uphill Task
With 307 runs still required on a deteriorating pitch and only seven wickets in hand, the road ahead for Team India appears formidable. Australia’s bowlers, led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, have already showcased their ability to extract movement and bounce, making India’s task even more daunting.
As the post-lunch session begins, all eyes will be on Yashasvi Jaiswal and the middle order to mount a fightback. For Australia, another victory seems within grasp, reinforcing their dominance in the series.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
