Mon Dec 30 07:40:49 UTC 2024: **Australia Wins Thrilling Fourth Test Against India by 184 Runs**
Melbourne, Australia – Australia secured a thrilling 184-run victory over India in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), taking a 2-1 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The win prevents India from winning the series for the first time since 2015 and leaves Australia needing only a draw in the final Test to claim the trophy.
India, chasing a challenging 340-run target, displayed periods of resilience but ultimately succumbed to a disciplined Australian bowling attack in the final session. Pat Cummins and Scott Boland spearheaded the Australian charge, claiming three wickets each, while Nathan Lyon added two more.
Yashasvi Jaiswal played a defiant innings of 84 runs from 208 balls, showcasing remarkable patience and skill before eventually falling to a controversial lbw decision. Rishabh Pant also contributed a valuable 28 before a reckless shot ended his resistance.
The Indian top order faltered early, with Rohit Sharma (9) and Virat Kohli (5) both falling to early dismissals. Their dismissals, along with the avoidable exits of Pant and Jaiswal, triggered a collapse that sealed India’s fate. The lower-order offered little resistance, leaving Australia to celebrate a hard-fought victory.
Australian captain Pat Cummins lauded the match as “one of the best I’ve been part of,” highlighting the intensity of the contest and the exceptional crowd support. Indian captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged Australia’s superior performance, citing missed opportunities and a lack of consistent contributions from the batting lineup as contributing factors to their defeat. Despite the loss, Sharma praised the debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy’s determined performance. India’s Jasprit Bumrah, once again, stood out with both bat and ball but lacked sufficient support from his teammates. The fifth and final Test begins on January 3rd.
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