IND vs AUS Live: India look to quickly end frustrating last-wicket stand at MCG

Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Australia captain Pat Cummins on Day 4 of the fourth Test between India and Austalia in Melbourne on Sunday, but the Indian spinner's name caught the attention of social media army only when one of captain Rohit Sharma's instructions on the field was caught by stump microphone. During the day's play, when Virat Kohli checked with Rohit who was coming onto bowl, Rohit replied: "Jaddu daal Jaddu," referring to the left-arm spinner who is called by that nickname by his teammates.

But that's not where it ended. Rohit's instructions continued.

"Yahan se daal ke dekh kya hota hai (bowl from this end and see what happens)," Rohit said, and added: "Aye Jaddu, daant mat dikha zyada yaar usko (don't show him much teeth)." While it's unclear what Rohit intended to convey with the second part, it probably meant to not reveal all your cards to the batter.

And when Jadeja went to the top of his run-up, ready to deliver, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant joined in: "Nice, Jaddu bhai. Aage aan do yaar, chalo bhaiyo (let the batter come forward, come on guys)."

India were bowled out for 369 early on Sunday morning in reply to Australia's 474, after a match-saving 127-run eighth-wicket partnership between centurion Nitish Kumar Reddy (114) and Washington Sundar (50). It restricted the hosts' first-innings lead to 105. After than India, led by Jasprit Bumrah's brilliance and four wickets, reduced Australia to 91 for 6 before a couple of dropped catches let the advantage to slip away.

It allowed Marnus Labuschagne to score 70, and later the last pair of Nathan Lyon (41*) and Scott Boland (10*) frustrated the Indian bowlers with an unbeaten 55-run stand to take Australia to 228 for 9 at stumps for a total lead of 333 runs with a day left to play.

The five-Test series is tied at 1-1.

A gritty partnership of over 50 runs for the final wicket between Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland left India exasperated as Australia extended their lead to over 300 runs on day four of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

In a day packed with enthralling Test cricket, India bowlers had removed Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins during the final session, raising hopes of starting their chase before stumps.

However, Lyon and Boland stood firm, frustrating the Indian bowlers with a resilient stand at the iconic MCG. Their partnership not only defied India but also turned the tide of the match.

This marked just the second instance in Test history where a 10th-wicket pair batted for over 50 balls in both innings.

The first instance occurred in 1961, when Pakistan’s Afaq Hussain and Haseeb Ahsan faced England in Lahore, lasting 9.2 overs in the first innings and 18.1 overs in the second.

Lyon and Boland batted for 8.3 overs in the first innings and a pivotal 17.4 overs in the second.

Drama unfolded late in the day when Lyon was caught in the slip cordon by Jasprit Bumrah during the last over. However, replays confirmed it was a no-ball, keeping the partnership intact.

Earlier, India seemed on the verge of wrapping up the innings when Ravindra Jadeja bowled a superb delivery, pitching on off stump and turning away to edge Pat Cummins’s bat, dismissing him for a determined 41 off 90 balls. But with the bowlers tiring and the ball softening, Lyon and Boland capitalized on the opportunity to mount a defiant stand.

India’s desperation showed as Siraj dropped a caught-and-bowled chance off Lyon and later lost their final review on an unsuccessful lbw appeal. Boland’s cut off Siraj brought up Australia’s 300, while Lyon showcased an array of strokes, including sweeps, lofted shots, and edges that kept the scoreboard ticking.

In the day’s final moments, KL Rahul’s tumbling leg-assisted catch off Lyon was overturned due to Bumrah overstepping. Lyon then edged the last ball for a boundary, bringing up the 50-run partnership and closing out a remarkable day of Test cricket on a high for Australia.

India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal had a terrible day on the field on Sunday as he dropped three crucial catches of the Australian batters, prompting angered reactions from his skipper Rohit Sharma. After having dropped Usman Khawaja on 2 at leg-gully in the morning session, Jaiswal dropped Marnus Labuschagn on 46 at third slip in the second session off Akash Deep.

At the stroke of Tea, the 21-year-old then dropped a catch of Pat Cummins off Ravindra Jadeja at silly-point.

Of all the three chances, the second dropped catch in particular, saw emotions getting better of Rohit with the skipper seen shouting and throwing his arms around angrily.

The animated Rohit reactions to the dropped chances didn't go down well with the commentators with the likes of Mike Hussey suggesting that such things aren't expected from skipper.

“I've got to be honest, I don't like that reaction from the Indian skipper. I appreciate he's emotional, and he desperately wants wickets, but you're the one who has to send the message of calm and support. No one means to drop a catch.

“He's gonna feel bad enough as it is for putting a catch down, especially someone like Marnus Labuschagne; it happens quickly, it's in, it's out. You don't need to see that as a young player,” Hussey said on Fox Cricket.

Australia's women's skipper Alyssa Healy also said that the team needs to be gentle with Jaiswal as he will be key in India's fourth innings chase.

“Particularly when you need him to walk out and open the batting alongside you, to make some runs and try and win a Test match for your country," she said.

Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann also wasn't impressed with Rohit and Virat Kohli's reaction to dropped catches. He however liked Rishabh Pant's gesture which saw him putting arm around Jaiswal, lifting his spirits.

"Rishabh Pant did well. He actually gave him a pat on the back and said 'just hang in there, we all drop them'. What he doesn't need is the captain Rohit Sharma and (Virat) Kohli throwing their arms about. The poor kid," Lehmann said on ABC Radio.

Former Victoria wicketkeeper Darren Berry also called out for support to Jaiswal from senior after the dropped catches.

With the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) heading into its decisive Day 5, cricket enthusiasts are keenly watching the weather, hoping it doesn’t interfere with this gripping clash.

India need a miraculous turnaround to chase a challenging target as Australia, leading by 333 runs at stumps on Day 4, aim to seal the game.

According to the forecast by AccuWeather, Melbourne is expected to offer favourable playing conditions on Monday, with only minimal chances of rain disruption throughout the day.

MELBOURNE DAY 5 WEATHER: MORNING CONDITIONS

The day will begin with partly sunny skies. Temperatures are predicted to hover around 25°C under direct sun.

While a wind from the south-southwest at 9 km/h will keep conditions pleasant, occasional gusts reaching up to 24 km/h could slightly assist bowlers.

With a 3% probability of rainfall, the morning session is expected to proceed uninterrupted. Cloud cover will be significant at 86%, offering mild respite to the players.

IND VS AUS WEATHER FORECAST: AFTERNOON CONDITIONS

As the day progresses, the temperature is expected to rise to 27°C. Breezy conditions will prevail, with wind speeds escalating to 22 km/h and gusts peaking at 37 km/h from the south.

Despite total cloud cover at 100%, rain remains unlikely, with just a 4% chance of precipitation.

Humidity levels ranging between 47% and 57% will not significantly impact the game, while visibility remains excellent at 10 km.

Overall, Day 5 is set to provide uninterrupted play, giving both teams a fair chance to fight for a result.

With Australia aiming to build on their lead and India looking to stage a remarkable chase, fans can expect an intense day of Test cricket under largely cooperative weather conditions at the MCG.

Legendary Sunil Gavaskar on Saturday angrily expressed his disapproval of Rishabh Pant's shot selection during a critical moment on the third day of the Boxing Day Test. A fuming Gavaskar had slammed Pant for his ramp shot that got him out, labelling it as 'stupid'.

For Gavaskar the Pant shot was driven by ego rather than strategic thinking.

"When I see somebody as talented as Rishabh Pant play that shot, I had no problem with the first shot he played and missed. The reason I got upset was that ego took over for the next ball," Gavaskar told ABC Sport.

Gavaskar elaborated on why he found Pant's shot selection particularly frustrating, suggesting Pant was trying to assert dominance rather than playing to the situation.

"I've just been hit in the midriff for attempting a similar shot. I'm going to show the bowler who's the boss. Test cricket is not easy. When he got out, they had two fielders in the deep, and this is a big ground. It's not easy to hit sixes. You've got the fielders in catching positions over there—deep square leg and deep fine leg. But he got caught at third man with the edge."

Gavaskar acknowledged Pant's talent and past performances but questioned the need for such a risky shot at that stage of the game.

"I've seen him play some fabulous innings. But here in Australia, I get the impression that he thinks that's the only way he's going to score runs. Here he's stepping down the pitch, lofting the ball, and getting a boundary. That's not the way he has scored runs in the past. He has played those shots which have been outrageously good," Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar highlighted Pant's ability to score runs through conventional cricketing shots, suggesting he should rely on his established strengths rather than attempting high-risk strokes.

"I've seen him play the cover drive along the ground very well, the square pull shot he plays so well, the flick off the pads—everything he's got. So, to take a little bit of a risk at that stage was a bit much," said Gavaskar.

An exhilarating fourth day's play of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on Sunday was topped off with a dramatic last over that saw India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah being denied a fifer despite an unusual and lucky catch taken by teammate KL Rahul. With the last wicket stand of Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland frustrating India with an unbeaten stand of 55, Bumrah came in to bowl the last over of the day. He even got Lyon to edge one to Rahul in the slips but unluckily overstepped to hand the Australia no.10 a lifeline.

The incident took place on the fourth ball of the last over of the day when Bumrah got one to straighten from length as Lyon, rooted to his crease, tried to defend it but edged it to third slip.

Rahul, who was stationed at third slip, initially fumbled and lost the ball but then used his legs to clutch on to it as India began to celebrate the end of the Australian innings.

However, in a late twist, the Indian team was then told by the umpire that Bumrah had over-stepped and the no ball meant that Lyon got a lucky lifeline.

Seeing the hand being raised by the umpire for a no-ball, Bumrah and the team were seemingly disappointed.

Adding salt to injury, Lyon then collected a couple of runs off the fifth ball and the final ball then flew past the third slip for a boundary after a Lyon poke as Australia ended the day at 228 for 9, taking their overall lead to 333 at stumps.

At the close of play, Lyon was at 41 not out and no.11 Scott Boland had scored 10 as India failed to take the final wicket. In the second innings, Bumrah has four wickets wickets to his name while Mohammed Siraj picked up three after Australia took a healthy 105-run first innings lead.

Marnus Labuschagne, Australia's top scorer, believes India faces a challenging chase due to the pitch's inconsistent bounce. Deliveries bowled from a back-of-a-length are arriving at stump height, creating difficulties for batsmen. Australia finished day four at 228 for 9 in their second innings, leading India by 333 runs.

Contributions from the lower order, including Pat Cummins (41), Nathan Lyon (41 batting), and Scott Boland (10 batting), significantly boosted Australia's lead.

Labuschagne's 70 was the highest individual score for the Australian team. Labuschagne discussed the pitch conditions anticipated for day five.

“I think from the first innings, there was some movement, obviously. It was hard work in that first probably, especially the first 40 to 50 overs. But as the game's gone on, the bounce has got less and more inconsistent. So we're just getting more balls hitting the stumps. More balls are skidding through.”

He observed that while the lateral movement remains consistent, the inconsistent bounce poses a significant challenge.

“The seam movement's probably been the same. But just the amount of bounce is significantly lower. So that makes for pretty tricky batting there. Because more balls are hitting the stumps from a shorter length.”

Labuschagne remained tight-lipped about Australia's declaration plans for the fifth morning.

“Glad you think that I know if we're going to declare or not,” he chuckled.

He confirmed that day four unfolded as per Australia's expectations.

“We obviously had the perfect outcome for us. And they probably... we looked like having a bowl tonight and putting them under pressure. But, you know, the way the wicket played and the way India bowled and came out and put us under pressure in that first 40 to 50 overs, you know, declaration wasn't an option for us.”

Labuschagne acknowledged the resilience displayed by the lower order.

“The lower order deserves a lot of credit for how they managed that last part. I mean, I felt like we were probably ahead of the game just the whole way.”

Australia maintained their grip on the fourth Test against India with a resilient batting display on the fourth day, despite several dramatic moments and strategic questions about their decisions. Resuming their second innings at 135 for six after tea, the visitors pushed their lead to a commanding 333 runs, closing at 228 for nine in 82 overs.

The standout performer of the day was captain Pat Cummins, whose gritty 41 off 90 balls proved crucial in frustrating the Indian bowlers.

Australia's tail-enders followed his lead, with the last-wicket pair of Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland adding an unbeaten 55 runs. Marnus Labuschagne, who top-scored with a valiant 70 off 139 balls, earlier held the innings together before falling shortly after tea.

However, Australia’s decision to bat deep into the final session, rather than declare with a sizeable lead, raised eyebrows.

Pacer Mitchell Starc, when asked about the team’s strategy, deflected the question with a wry response: "You'll have to ask Pat Cummins… you will have to ask the brains trust."

Starc, who was dismissed in dramatic fashion, became the victim of a sharp run-out orchestrated by Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Attempting a second run, Starc was left stranded as Cummins hesitated. Pant’s direct hit brought an end to Starc’s brief innings of 5 runs off 13 deliveries. Despite speculation about a potential back issue, Starc dismissed concerns regarding his fitness. Speaking after the day's play, he assured, "I am 100%… My pace is still up in the low 140s, so I’m not concerned. If I need to bowl 20 overs tomorrow, I will."

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah entered the record books during the day, taking 4/56 to complete 200 Test wickets in an illustrious career so far. Bumrah’s fiery spell, coupled with Mohammed Siraj's 3/66, gave India some hope, but the task ahead remains monumental.

Nitish Reddy's brilliant century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has silenced critics who doubted his ability to excel in Test cricket. The 21-year-old, with 293 runs in six innings at an average of over 58, has shown he belongs at the highest level. His knock of 114 runs was pivotal to India's first-innings total of 369, showcasing his resilience and skill on one of the grandest stages in cricket.

After the fourth day's play, Reddy spoke candidly about the skepticism surrounding his selection. "Some people doubted me, saying a youngster from the IPL can't perform in such a big series," he said. "I just want to prove them wrong. I want people to know I'm here to give 100% for the Indian team."

Reddy emphasised that his success has been years in the making. Dismissing the idea that his achievements came overnight, he explained, "For you guys, it might seem like one or two months, but for me, it's about the last two to three years. I've worked hard on my batting and bowling during that time."

Ahead of the 2024 IPL, Reddy took extra measures to elevate his game, including hiring side-arm throwdown experts to practice against deliveries at speeds of up to 145 km/h. "After my first IPL season, I realized the areas I needed to improve in my batting. During the off-season, I worked extensively, and those efforts are paying off now," he said.

Reddy also spoke emotionally about his father, Mutyalu, who made significant sacrifices for his cricketing career. "My father resigned from his central government job to support me. He was the first person who believed in me and has always been there—taking me to practice, to the gym. I'm so grateful to have a father like him," he said, dedicating his century to his father.

A longtime admirer of Virat Kohli, Reddy cherished the standing ovation he received from the former Indian captain. "When Kohli scored a century in Perth, I was at the non-striker's end. Now, I scored a century, and he appreciated me. He told me I got the team back in the game. That's the best moment for me," Reddy said, beaming.

Team India faces a challenging final day, with the opposition still holding one wicket. Reddy remains optimistic, promising a strong comeback. "First, we need to take their last wicket. Then, we'll rectify our mistakes from the first innings," he said confidently. Nitish Reddy's performance has not only proven his critics wrong but also signaled the arrival of a promising new star in Indian cricket.

The fourth day of the Boxing Day Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy witnessed a captivating battle between bat and ball at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj delivered standout performances as India fought to contain a resilient Australian side, which extended its lead to 333 runs by stumps.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, speaking on Star Sports, heaped praise on the Indian seamers. Manjrekar even compared Bumrah's genius to legendary bowlers like Malcolm Marshall and Curtly Ambrose.

"There's just no weakness this man has. It's almost like he is this genie that Indian cricket have brought as a gift and you make a wish and you get it. And it's always Bumrah providing it, be it T20 cricket World Cup or 50 over World Cup, or it's a match like this, crucial game on a page where a lot of the bowlers struggle to get anything out of it. He was getting lateral movement," Manjrekar said.

"He's cleaned up Alex Carey, as if, he's a number 10, 11 batter. He just had two balls in that spell left. You knew he wasn't going to bowl more than two balls, and he nailed Alex Carey there as well. And when you look at the average, I mean, this is unbelievable. We talk about Curtly Ambrose. I had the privilege of playing against Malcolm Marshall. Now those are great names, and an average of under 20 after 200 wickets is just mind-boggling stuff from Jasprit Bumrah."

Manjrekar also lauded Mohammed Siraj for rising to the occasion.

"The fact of the matter is Mohammed Siraj realised that he had to put in his best show. So what he did basically was just ran in with a lot more energy, just put in a lot more effort. And sometimes that's all you need. And it was evident when we saw the speed gun, he was four or five kilometers quicker," he noted.

"There were a couple of balls over that were touching 140. In the first innings, it was maybe 134, 135. So sometimes it's just about bending your back and forget about all the other issues. And that's what he did. And he was desperate for success. And sometimes when you push against the wall, and we've seen that with Mohammed Siraj, he comes up with the goods."

Jasprit Bumrah's 4/56—including his 200th Test wicket—was the highlight of the day. He dismantled Australia's middle order with clinical precision, removing Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Alex Carey in quick succession.

Mohammed Siraj, with figures of 3/66, also played a crucial role in triggering a dramatic Australian collapse after lunch. His dismissal of Steve Smith for 13 set the tone for a spell that saw Australia plummet to 91/6. Despite these setbacks, Australia showed grit, with contributions from Pat Cummins (41) and an unbeaten 55-run partnership between Nathan Lyon (41 not out) and Scott Boland (10 not out).

When a fast bowler's own countrymen — whether captain, teammates or former cricketers in the same cricketing ecosystem — challenge their ego, it can be a deliberate or incidental act that spurs them to perform better. Fast bowlers often have a fierce competitive streak. Challenges from their countrymen can push them to raise their game and prove their superiority. Facing criticism or challenges at home helps bowlers build the mental toughness required for the intense scrutiny and high-pressure situations of international cricket.

On Friday, legendary Sunil Gavaskar, delivering a harshly critical assessment, had called for the removal of Mohammed Siraj from the Indian squad.

With 13 wickets in seven innings and a lack of aggression with the new ball, Siraj, a key component in the 2021 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series victory, had fallen short in the current series, adding to Jasprit Bumrah's workload.

According to Gavaskar, the right-arm quick should be informed that he is being dropped rather than rested.

"I think Siraj, perhaps, needs a little bit of a break. In the sense, I am not saying a break, he needs to be told that he is left out of the team for non-performance. There has to be a situation where you can't beat around the bush.

"You need to be brutally upfront and say 'look, your performance has not been up to scratch, and therefore you are being dropped.' When you start talking about 'rest,' players get wrong ideas. They feel they don't need to up their game," Gavaskar had told Star Sports on Friday after the second day's play.

With an average of 4.07 runs per over, Siraj led the unwelcome list of frontline pacers who have given the most runs in the series.

In the ongoing Boxing Day Test, Siraj was completely out of sorts after conceding 122 runs in 23 overs without taking any wickets in Australia first innings. Probably that was the reason that India captain Rohit Sharma called up Akash Deep to share the new ball with Bumrah in the Aussie second innings on Day 4. Being denied the new ball and a keeper standing upto the stumps are the two biggest factors that can rub off a pacer's ego. These situations strike at the core of a pacer's pride and role in the team, potentially fueling their competitive fire or exposing weaknesses.

Both situations put a pacer in a vulnerable position, testing their mental resilience and ability to bounce back. They challenge the bowler to prove their worth and reclaim their authority, which can either inspire growth or create friction, depending on how they are handled.

These challenges, though difficult, often separate great fast bowlers from the rest, highlighting their ability to rise above setbacks and continue delivering under pressure.

When a captain targets their own fast bowler's ego, it can be a tactical move designed to motivate them, ignite their competitive fire, or bring out their best performance. Fast bowlers often thrive on adrenaline and emotion. A captain's calculated criticism or challenge can act as a spark to drive the bowler to prove a point and perform with extra intensity. A social media video also showed skipper Rohit asking Siraj to step up.

"Don't sit back and hide behind Bumrah, I need you to stand up and get the job done as well."

This is where Siraj responded brilliantly on Day 4 when Bumrah needed support from the other end.

Akash Deep bowled well in tandem with Bumrah but was unlucky to get a wicket. Siraj replaced Bumrah in the attack after 10 overs and bowled with usual aggression but with improved line and length, creating more chances and troubling Aussie opener Usman Khawaja in particular. And Siraj’s changed approach brought him a reward when he castled Khawaja with a full delivery that moved just enough to beat the inside edge and hit the top of off-stump.

In the eight over of the second session, a pumped up Siraj got the prized wicket of first innings centurion Steve Smith by inducing a false shot from the former Aussie captain and having him caught behind by Rishabh Pant. This was the fourth instance that Siraj had dismissed Smith in 15 innings and that opened the gates for India as Bumrah then went on a rampage as he picked up the wickets of Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey in quick succession.

Marnus Labuschagne batted brilliantly to weather the Bumrah storm whose deliveries missed the Aussie bat’s edge umpteen times.

Going by stats, Bumrah bowled 60 balls to Labuschagne in the second innings and missed the outside edge 11 times. The Aussie edged 3 times scoring 24 runs off those 60 deliveries. But it was Siraj who got Labuschagne on the first delivery of a new spell by trapping the Aussie plumb in front with a back of a length delivery that jagged back sharply from outside off.

Labuschagne was caught in the crease as he looked to block but missed to get struck on the back leg and as the third umpire went with the on-field umpire’s decision to give it out, a pumped up Siraj let the emotions flow.

With a bruised ego, Siraj stepped up and bowled a superb spell either side of lunch where he accounted for Khawaja and Smith and later came up with the crucial scalp of Labuschagne. Cricket is as much a mental game as it is physical. By challenging a fast bowler, a captain can test their mental toughness and ability to handle pressure, which is critical in high-stakes scenarios and when done correctly, it can be a powerful tool to bring the best out of a fast bowler.

With the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy still up for grabs, Siraj proved his captain right on Day 4 at the MCG.

Jasprit Bumrah's fiery spell and a record-breaking milestone gave India hope on Day 4 of the Boxing Day Test, but Australia's lower-order resistance ensured they remained in control. Despite Bumrah's 4-56 and Mohammed Siraj's resurgence, Australia reached 228/9 at stumps, leading by 333 runs, setting up a thrilling final day.

Bumrah sliced through Australia's middle order, claiming his 200th Test wicket and becoming the bowler with the best average in Test history for those with 200 or more wickets. However, his efforts were countered by Marnus Labuschagne's gritty 70 and Pat Cummins' vital 41, along with a frustrating last-wicket stand of 55 between Nathan Lyon (41 not out) and Scott Boland (10 not out).

Yashasvi Jaiswal had a challenging day, dropping three crucial catches, including Labuschagne on 46 and Cummins before his dismissal. These misses proved costly as Australia extended their lead on a pitch showing variable bounce.

With all four results still possible, here's how Day 4 unfolded:

Bumrah's record-breaking show: A historic milestone

Jasprit Bumrah was once again the standout bowler for India, claiming his 200th Test wicket and solidifying his place in history. With the dismissal of Travis Head, Bumrah reached the remarkable milestone in just his 44th Test, making him the fastest Indian pacer to achieve this feat. Bumrah also set a new record for the best average among bowlers with 200 or more Test wickets, surpassing the legendary Joel Garner. He finished the day with 4-56, taking his tally for the series to 29 wickets and becoming India's most successful pacer in a Test series on Australian soil.

Siraj back among wickets as India fight back

After a wicketless first innings, Mohammed Siraj returned to form, taking key wickets in Australia's second innings. Siraj was the first change bowler, coming in after Akash Deep and Bumrah. Siraj quickly removed Usman Khawaja for 21, and then bowled brilliantly to dismiss Steve Smith. With the assistance of Virat Kohli, who advised Siraj to bowl wide of the crease, the pacer outfoxed Smith with a wide half-volley that the Aussie batter edged to Rishabh Pant. Siraj finished the day with impressive figures of 3-66, including the vital wicket of Marnus Labuschagne (70).

Jaiswal's drop catches add pressure on India's chances

Yashasvi Jaiswal endured a tough day in the field, dropping three critical catches. The first came early in the day when he dropped Usman Khawaja at leg gully. His next miscue was a relatively easy chance off Labuschagne's bat at gully when he was on 46. Jaiswal's third drop came just before tea when he let go of Cummins. The frustration was palpable in the Indian camp, with captain Rohit Sharma visibly upset. The missed chances allowed Australia to build a bigger lead, making India's task tougher.

Labuschagne and Cummins stand gives Australia vital respite

After India's early breakthroughs, Labuschagne and captain Cummins combined for a vital partnership of 57 runs. This stand brought some stability to Australia's innings, allowing them to recover from 91-6 to 148-7. Labuschagne, who top-scored with 70, and Cummins, with 41, frustrated India's bowlers and pushed the Australian lead past 250 runs, a vital cushion for the home team heading into the final session.

Last-wicket stand frustrates India as Australia extend lead to 333

Despite India's best efforts to wrap up Australia's innings, Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland had other plans. Their unbroken 55-run partnership frustrated the Indian bowlers, with Lyon making 41 off 54 balls. This stand took Australia's lead to a formidable 333 runs, leaving India with a daunting task ahead on Day 5. With the last-wicket pair showing resilience, India's hopes of a quick end to Australia's innings faded, and the game remained delicately poised heading into the final day.

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of Day 5 of the fourth Test match between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

A resilient 51-run partnership for the final wicket between Nathan Lyon (41*) and Scott Boland (10*) left India frustrated as Australia stretched its lead to 333 runs, finishing at 228/9 in 82 overs at stumps on day four of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

India appeared poised to begin their chase before stumps after removing Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins in the final session. However, Lyon and Boland defied India’s attack for 110 balls, much to the dismay of the 43,867 fans present. Their gritty stand ensured Australia maintained control heading into the final day.

The big question now is whether Australia will continue batting on day five or declare overnight, challenging India to achieve the highest-ever successful chase at the MCG.

The session began with Mohammed Siraj striking with his first delivery, trapping Labuschagne lbw with a sharp ball that jagged off the pitch. Labuschagne reviewed the decision, but ball-tracking showed the ball clipping the bails on umpire’s call, ending his knock of 70. Soon after, Starc was run-out attempting a risky second run, with Rishabh Pant swiftly removing a glove to complete the dismissal at the non-striker's end.

Australia seemed on the brink of being bowled out when Ravindra Jadeja produced a beauty, pitching on off-stump and turning away to find Pat Cummins’s edge, dismissing him for a hard-fought 41 off 90 balls. But as the Indian bowlers began to tire and the ball softened, Lyon and Boland capitalized, showcasing remarkable resistance.

India's desperation showed when Siraj dropped a caught-and-bowled chance off Lyon, who later survived an lbw appeal, burning India’s final review. Boland cut Siraj for a boundary to bring up Australia’s 300, while Lyon mixed sweeps, lofted shots, and edges to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Drama unfolded in the final over when KL Rahul claimed a tumbling catch off Lyon from Jasprit Bumrah’s delivery. However, replays revealed a no-ball, adding to India’s woes. Lyon then edged the last ball for a boundary, taking the partnership to 50 runs and capping an enthralling day of Test cricket.