BGT | Twitter reacts as final session ends India’s hopes of salvaging a draw in Melbourne

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Australia showcased nerves of steel as they managed to turn things around in the final session of Day 5 to secure a 184 run win in the Boxing Day Test. Needing seven wickets to win, an all round effort by the Aussie bowling unit meant that the hosts will head into the final Test leading the series.

Starting the day with the bat, Australia did not add too many runs with the bat as Jasprit Bumrah picked up a much-deserved fifer to hand his side a target of 340 runs. The Indian openers came out with intent and managed to see out the first overs of the new ball. However, back to back wickets in the 17th over saw India being reduced to 25/2. The incoming Virat Kohli looked ready for the challenge as he curbed his attacking instincts. That lasted only for 28 balls as the former Indian skipper slashed at a full Mitchell Starc delivery to leave India reeling at 33/3 after the first session. 

Just when the hosts would have believed that they had the wind in their sails, Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal played out a tricky middle phase. The duo saw out a fiery Mitchell Starc spell while getting runs off Scott Boland, who struggled to get any control in the game. The closest Australia came to a wicket was an LBW shout that gave Jaiswal a reprieve on umpire’s call. Post that though, the duo shot shop and played out the remaining session with Australia running out of ideas. With the scoreboard reading 112/3, India found themselves in a great position to push the series into a decider at Sydney.

Much like Australia believing they were in the game after Lunch, India walked out after Tea with the same confidence. And exactly as it happened with Australia, India were in for shock. Rishabh Pant had a brain fade moment where he tried to attack Travis Head leading to the hosts getting the breakthrough they desperately needed. The incoming Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy did not last too long on the crease as India found themselves in a host of trouble. Jaiswal, too, had a hot head moment where he tried to pull Cummins only to clip it to Carey. While Washington Sundar and Akash Deep put up some resistance, it was far too late. With Lyon dismissing Siraj in the 80th over, Australia secured the game by 184 runs. 

Sir Gavaskar 

Aussie wins

What a win

Ater a decade

What a win

Melbourne erupts

Mental mass

Blame game

Won't win

All out

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