India’s fourth Test ambitions took a significant hit as they were reduced to 33-3 at lunch on the fifth day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), chasing a daunting target of 340 runs against Australia. The hosts, led by an exceptional Pat Cummins, tightened their grip on the match, leaving India struggling to avoid defeat.
Pat Cummins, continuing his outstanding performance in the Test, claimed two crucial wickets in the morning session. He first removed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for nine, with a sharp catch taken by Mitchell Marsh at gully. Shortly afterward, KL Rahul fell for a duck, nicking a rising delivery to Usman Khawaja at first slip.
India’s woes deepened just before the lunch interval when Virat Kohli, scoring only five, attempted an expansive drive off a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc, edging to Khawaja at first slip. At the break, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 14 off 83 balls, battling against Australia’s precise bowling attack.
The Indian side faces a monumental challenge, needing to either achieve a record fourth-innings chase of 340 or bat out the remainder of the day to salvage a draw. Australia’s final innings revival was bolstered by a gritty 61-run last-wicket stand, with Nathan Lyon contributing 41 before being bowled by Jasprit Bumrah, who recorded figures of 5-57. The series stands at 1-1, with the final Test set to commence in Sydney on Friday.
