Mon Dec 30 07:40:47 UTC 2024: ## Australia Beats India by 184 Runs in Boxing Day Test Thriller

**Melbourne, Australia –** Australia secured a resounding victory over India in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Monday, December 30th, winning by 184 runs. Chasing a challenging 340-run target at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), India crumbled for 155 runs in their second innings, failing to bat out even 80 overs despite having eight specialist batsmen in their line-up.

Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored for India with a gritty 84, a knock that included a controversial dismissal late in the innings. Rishabh Pant contributed 30 runs before falling to a rash shot, ending a crucial 88-run partnership with Jaiswal. The collapse started in the third session where India lost seven wickets for 24 runs. Earlier, Rohit Sharma (9) and KL Rahul (0) fell cheaply, along with Virat Kohli (5). Pat Cummins and Scott Boland took three wickets each for Australia.

Australia, resuming their second innings, were bowled out for 234, setting India the challenging target. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking five wickets including the crucial scalp of Nathan Lyon. Despite lower-order resistance from Pat Cummins (41) and Marnus Labuschagne (70), Australia’s early wickets hampered their total.

India’s chase never truly gained momentum after the early dismissals of their top order. The late-innings fightback by Jaiswal and Pant provided brief hope, but the Australian bowlers kept the pressure on, eventually securing a comfortable victory. This win gives Australia a 2-1 lead in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. The final Test will be played in Sydney, commencing January 3rd.

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