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The fourth Australia-India Test in Melbourne concluded as a prolonged, strategic affair, a stark contrast to the frenetic pace of the fifth Test in Sydney. The Sydney Test witnessed an astonishing 26 wickets falling within the first two days, setting a thrilling stage for a decisive conclusion. The first day concluded with India bowled out for 185, surprisingly establishing a four-run lead thanks largely to Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional performance. Bumrah’s wickets of Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne extended his series tally to 32, surpassing Bishan Bedi’s record for an Indian bowler in Australia and falling just six short of Maurice Tate's all-time record. However, this remarkable run was abruptly halted by a back injury that forced Bumrah to leave the field for scans, marking a significant turning point in the match.
Despite Bumrah's absence, India's other bowlers stepped up effectively. Mohammed Siraj's skillful bowling, exploiting the pitch's bounce and lateral movement, quickly dismantled the Australian top order, reducing them to 39 for four. Beau Webster, making his Test debut, anchored Australia's recovery alongside Steve Smith and Alex Carey, exhibiting impressive composure despite the challenging conditions. However, Prasidh Krishna's impactful spell, in his first match of the series, proved pivotal, dismissing both Smith and Carey, alongside Webster, thus reining in Australia's comeback.
Nitish Kumar Reddy further contributed to India’s dominance, dismissing Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. While Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland’s contributions were minimal compared to their performance in Melbourne, the balance of play clearly favored India. The rapid wicket-fall and favorable pitch conditions suggested a potential three-day finish to the match. India's slender lead quickly expanded after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s aggressive start against Mitchell Starc. However, the ever-present seam movement resulted in the dismissals of KL Rahul and Jaiswal by Scott Boland, with Virat Kohli also falling victim to a classic outside-off-stump delivery.
With India reeling at 59 for 3, the match took another unexpected turn with the explosive arrival of Rishabh Pant. Pant’s audacious six off Boland’s first ball, a flat-batted shot soaring over long-on, was a significant moment, considering previous criticism of his shot selection in Melbourne which contributed to a team collapse there. This time, his aggressive approach was a calculated gamble aiming for quick runs rather than a defensive draw strategy. Pant’s onslaught continued with a flurry of airborne boundaries, showcasing his power-hitting capabilities. He effortlessly cleared the boundary via pull shots, slog sweeps, and powerful drives, racing to a 50 from just 29 balls – only surpassed by one of his own previous scores.
Although his explosive innings momentarily stunned Australia, the match's momentum remained relentless. Shubman Gill’s dismissal provided Webster with his maiden Test wicket, caught brilliantly by Alex Carey. Pant’s eventually fell for a quick-fire 61 after drinks, and Reddy followed shortly after, attempting an ill-conceived shot fifteen minutes before stumps. At the close of play, India held a substantial lead of 145 runs, having lost six wickets in their third innings. The remaining batters, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, represented India's hopes of further extending their lead. The match's breathless pace left little room for a drawn-out conclusion, with the possibility of a three-day finish looming.
The rapid nature of the match, while exciting for spectators, posed a financial concern for Cricket Australia and the SCG Trust. A shortened Test match would result in significant revenue losses. However, the McGrath Foundation, who undertake much of their fundraising during the Test, would likely still benefit, even if the match were to end prematurely. The Sydney Test was a microcosm of cricket’s inherent unpredictability, a rollercoaster of stunning batting displays and equally impressive bowling performances, leaving spectators breathless and anticipating a thrilling conclusion. The sugar rush of quick wickets and breathtaking shots will likely be followed by a more measured finish, a necessary but somewhat less exciting conclusion to the intense proceedings.
Source: Rishabh Pant blast rocks Australia on 15-wicket day to keep India’s hopes alive