India face a daunting record run chase on Monday if they are to secure victory in the Boxing Day Test after a captivating fourth day of play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.
The stage is set for a dramatic finale as Australia and India prepare for the final day of what has been an intensely fought Test match. Sunday’s play was a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by stellar performances and momentum swings that have left the match finely poised.
India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah delivered yet another sensational spell, claiming 4/56, as he attempted to single-handedly turn the game in India’s favor. However, Australia’s resilience, led by Marnus Labuschagne (70) and captain Pat Cummins (41), saw them reach 228/9 at stumps. Tailenders Nathan Lyon (41*) and Scott Boland (10*) have already put together a crucial 55-run partnership for the final wicket, extending Australia’s lead to 333 runs.
India now face the Herculean task of chasing down a record target at the MCG. The highest successful fourth-innings run chase at the venue is 332/7, achieved by England against Australia in 1928. Despite the odds, India can draw inspiration from their historic chase of 328 at the Gabba during their previous tour of Australia, with several key players from that triumph featuring in the current XI.
Australia, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their recent success in bowling India out on the final day of the ICC World Test Championship Final at The Oval, where they restricted them to just 234 in the fourth innings.
Earlier in the day, Bumrah’s brilliance brought India back into contention after they were dismissed for 369 in their first innings. Mohammed Siraj (3/66) also chipped in, removing Usman Khawaja (21) to leave Australia at 53/2 at lunch. The middle session saw a dramatic collapse, with Steve Smith (13), Travis Head (1), Mitch Marsh (0), and Alex Carey (2) falling in quick succession as Australia slumped to 91/6. Labuschagne and Cummins’ determined partnership steadied the ship before Lyon and Boland extended the lead.
Beyond the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, this match carries significant stakes for the World Test Championship. Australia currently sit second in the standings (58.89%), with India close behind in third (55.88%). Both teams are vying for a spot in the final at Lord’s in June 2025, with table-toppers South Africa (63.33%) taking on Pakistan in Centurion.
Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland. India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.
