Mon Dec 30 01:20:00 UTC 2024: ## India Faces Mount Everest in Melbourne: Day 5 of Boxing Day Test

**Melbourne, Australia:** India faces an uphill battle on day five of the Boxing Day Test against Australia, needing a near-miraculous chase to win. Australia set a challenging 340-run target after their second innings ended at 234, extending their first-innings lead of 105 runs. Jasprit Bumrah starred with a five-wicket haul, taking his overall tally to 26 wickets in the series, a new record for an Indian bowler in Australia.

India’s chase started disastrously, losing three early wickets—Rohit Sharma (9), Virat Kohli (5), and KL Rahul (0)—within the first few overs, leaving them reeling at 33/3. The early collapse threatened to derail India’s hopes, as no team has successfully chased down a score of over 332 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

However, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s continued strong form, coupled with a crucial partnership with Rishabh Pant, steadied the ship. Jaiswal, who scored another half-century, and Pant added a valuable partnership before Pant fell to Travis Head for 30.

At tea, India reached 112/3, with Jaiswal on 63 and Pant providing support. While Jaiswal continued his impressive form, the fall of further wickets – Jadeja (2) and Reddy (1) – put India on the backfoot. The task ahead remains daunting, and the match appears heavily tilted in Australia’s favour. The lower-order resilience shown by Australia earlier in the day highlights the challenge faced by the Indian batting lineup. The Indian team’s hopes now hinge on a remarkable turnaround from their remaining batsmen.

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