Australia maintained the upper hand on an engrossing fourth day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s fourth Test in Melbourne, ending at 228-9 with a commanding 333-run lead over India. Despite a dramatic middle-order collapse orchestrated by Jasprit Bumrah, Australia’s lower order rallied to tilt the balance back in their favor.
After starting their second innings with a 105-run lead, Australia found themselves in trouble at 91-6 as Bumrah delivered a sensational spell, taking 4-56.
Among his scalps was debutant Sam Konstas, bowled for eight, followed by key wickets in a flurry that saw four dismissals in 21 balls. Bumrah’s brilliance gave India a lifeline, but missed opportunities in the field cost them dearly.
Marnus Labuschagne played a gritty knock of 70, putting on a crucial 57-run stand with captain Pat Cummins, who contributed 41. Labuschagne was dropped on 46 by Yashasvi Jaiswal, one of three missed chances by the young fielder, and Cummins also received a reprieve on 21.
Nathan Lyon capitalized on his own slice of fortune, turning a dropped chance into an unbeaten 41, anchoring an unbroken last-wicket partnership of 55 with Scott Boland, who remained 10 not out.
The day ended in high drama, with Bumrah appearing to dismiss Lyon in the final over, only for the decision to be overturned due to a no-ball. The Lyon-Boland partnership extended Australia’s lead past 300, giving them the psychological advantage heading into the final day.
India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj (3-66), fought valiantly, with Siraj dismissing Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith early in the innings.
He also effected a sharp run-out to remove Mitchell Starc, showcasing the team’s fighting spirit. However, the missed catches—particularly Jaiswal’s—loom large as potential turning points in a tightly contested game.
For India, a successful chase would require a record-breaking effort at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The highest successful chase at the venue remains England’s 332-7 in 1928, with no team surpassing 231 in a fourth-innings chase since 1962.
Memories of India’s historic 328-run chase at the Gabba in 2021 might offer some hope, but the scale of the task is daunting.
Australia’s decision not to declare late in the day could prove pivotal. While it allows their tailenders to chip away further at India’s morale, it also reduces the time available to bowl out their opponents.
Some former players, including Darren Lehmann, questioned this strategy, arguing that a short bowling spell late in the day might have put India under immediate pressure.
For Australia, a victory would mean reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, while India, as the current holders, need only a draw to retain it. With the series tied at 1-1, the stakes are immense for both teams heading into the final day.
A win for either side would set the stage for a thrilling decider in Sydney next week, while a draw would leave India’s World Test Championship final hopes uncertain.
As the crowd of nearly 300,000 over the course of the Test braces for a riveting finish, all eyes will be on whether India can produce another historic chase or if Australia’s bowlers can deliver the knockout blow.
