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The third Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India concluded with a resounding victory for the home side, leaving them with a commanding 2-1 lead in the series. The match, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in front of a massive crowd exceeding 66,000 spectators, witnessed a dramatic turn of events in the final session, as India's batting order crumbled under pressure, losing seven wickets for a mere 34 runs. This collapse effectively sealed Australia's triumph, converting a seemingly close contest into a decisive victory.
A key moment in the match was the dismissal of Rishabh Pant, whose reckless shot off a half-tracker bowled by Travis Head proved to be the inflection point. Pant's impulsive decision to hit the ball to long-on, despite the relatively low risk involved, severely undermined India's hopes of securing a draw. This rash move triggered a chain reaction, as Australia capitalized on the momentum, striking two more wickets within the next 27 deliveries. The fall of Pant exemplified the pressure cooker atmosphere and the Australian bowlers' cunning tactics, successfully exploiting the slightest lapse in concentration from the Indian batsmen.
The subsequent wickets fell in quick succession. Scott Boland's delivery, which rose unexpectedly from a length, deceived Ravindra Jadeja, who edged the ball to the wicketkeeper. Nathan Lyon further intensified the pressure, inducing an edge from Nitish Reddy, who had scored a century in the first innings, to Steve Smith at first slip. This collapse saw India's score plummet from a relatively comfortable 121/3 to a precarious 130/6, effectively shifting the momentum decisively in Australia's favor. The Australian fielders, particularly Sam Konstas at silly point, relentlessly applied psychological pressure, engaging in verbal exchanges with the Indian batsmen, contributing to the overall sense of unease and disruption within the Indian batting line-up.
Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, reintroduced himself into the attack following Boland's impressive spell, and delivered the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal's attempted pull shot against a short ball resulted in an edge, leading to an appeal for caught behind. While the on-field umpire initially rejected the appeal, the decision was overturned after a review, revealing a clear deflection off Jaiswal's glove, despite the lack of a significant spike on the Snicko meter. This decision further demoralized the Indian team, leaving them seven wickets down and facing an almost insurmountable task. Akash Deep's brief resistance ended shortly after, caught behind by Boland, further intensifying the Australian dominance.
India's struggles began from the very first session of the day's play. Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli all fell to the new ball, unable to overcome the aggressive Australian bowling attack. Sharma's flick was edged to gully, while Rahul was undone by an exceptional delivery that found the outside edge of his bat. Kohli, once again, succumbed to his tendency to chase balls well outside the off stump, edging a delivery right before lunch. The early loss of these key players set the tone for the day, foreshadowing the subsequent collapse that defined India’s final session.
Despite a brief period of resilience from Jaiswal and Pant, which momentarily offered India some hope of salvaging a draw, the Australian bowlers relentlessly pursued wickets, setting nine fielders around the bat in the final stages. The pressure mounted as the mandatory 15 overs approached, leaving India fighting a losing battle. Boland claimed another catch through Smith, this time dismissing Bumrah, and Lyon completed the victory by bowling Mohammed Siraj leg before wicket. The final session was a masterclass in Australian bowling, combining skill, precision, and psychological warfare to shatter India's resistance and secure a comprehensive win, further strengthening their claim on the series.
In conclusion, Australia's victory in the third Test was a testament to their superior bowling performance and tactical acumen. The collapse of the Indian batting order in the final session, triggered by Pant's rash shot, proved decisive. While India showed glimpses of resistance at times, the relentless pressure exerted by Australia's bowlers and fielders ultimately proved too much to overcome. The series now stands at 2-1 in Australia's favor, setting the stage for an enthralling conclusion in the final Test.
Source: Australia go up 2-1 as India collapse in final session