For most parts of this Boxing Day Test, India have had to find ways to come back and stay afloat in the game. The first sessions on each of the first three days weren’t the best. However, this was not the case on day four at the MCG.
After Nitish Kumar Reddy’s fighting ton helped India reduce the deficit, they turned up excellently with the ball. Led by Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian pace attack was right on the money in the second innings. They troubled the Australian top-order and gave nothing away. They constantly beat the bat and will consider themselves unlucky not to have Australia three or four down.
India were 358/9 at the start of the day. They added 11 more runs before Nitish Reddy holed out at long-off. It was Nathan Lyon who picked up the wicket as the 21-year-old was finally dismissed for a superb 114.
Australia got a lead of 105. With nearly two days left in the game and the series 1-1 (they need to win the series to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy), the onus was on them to force the play. However, the Indian pace attack was magnificent with the new ball.
Bumrah did Bumrah things. He almost knocked over Sam Konstas in the first over as the 19-year-old debutant tried a wild hoick and missed. Akash Deep was given the new ball ahead of Mohammed Siraj and he beat Konstas a couple of times. Bumrah followed it up with a couple of beauties to Usman Khawaja before Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped a sharp chance at leg gully. Khawaja flicked the ball and it was travelling. These are catches that stick and unluckily for Bumrah and Jaiswal, the ball went through.
Bumrah and Akash Deep continued to beat the bat of both openers before the No. 1 Test bowler knocked over Konstas with a cracker. The ball nipped back in and sneaked through the gate. Bumrah was all charged up as he revved up the crowd as Konstas did in the first innings.
The battle continued when Marnus Labuschagne walked out. He even played and missed a few. Siraj replaced Bumrah and continued the good work. After a lackluster first innings, the 30-year-old pacer hit his straps straightaway. He looked in much better rhythm and constantly posed questions to the batters.
He went past Khawaja’s edge on a few occasions while Bumrah returned for a second spell and troubled Labuschagne. The latter survived a close LBW call as well. Bumrah rapped him on the pads and it looked very adjacent to the naked eye but umpire Michael Gough ruled it in the Australia No. 3’s favour. On review, it showed umpire’s call on hitting the stumps.
Siraj knocks over Khawaja; Smith takes 16 balls to get off the mark
India finally had reward for their consistent bowling as Siraj went through the defences of Khawaja. It was his first wicket in the game.
That brought Steve Smith to the crease. The Indian pacers remained consistent and kept up with their lines and lengths. The first innings centurion was even beaten a couple of times and he took 16 deliveries to get off the mark.
Australia could make just 17 runs in the last 11 overs before lunch. In fact, they’ve got to 53/2 in 25 overs. That’s how good India have been with the ball in the second innings. The intensity in the field has been brilliant as well. It’s something that was lacking in the first innings.
Virat Kohli was constantly cheering the bowlers, talking to them and setting fields as though he’s taken charge as captain once again. Bumrah was always in the ear of Akash or Siraj in between balls.
The lead is 158 and Australia are in the driver’s seat but they will consider themselves lucky to have lost only two wickets. India have fought hard and bowled extremely well. They are making Australia work for every run.
BRIEF SCORES: Australia 474 (Steve Smith 140, Marnus Labuschagne 72, Sam Konstas 60, Jasprit Bumrah 4/99, Ravindra Jadeja 3/78, Akash Deep 2/94) & 53/2 (Usman Khawaja 21, Jasprit Bumrah 1/18, Mohammed Siraj 1/10) lead India 369 (Nitish Kumar Reddy 114, Yashasvi Jaiswal 82, Washington Sundar 50, Scott Boland 3/57, Pat Cummins 2/89, Nathan Lyon 3/96) by 158 runs.
