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AUSvIND, 4th Test: Nitish’s classy ton, BOOM’s record… and a heartbreak

By Mumbai Indians

It’s that time of year when the fans and players alike are in a proper festive mood and it only gets better with a cracking Boxing Day Test encounter! 🎄

Amidst the popcorn moments – Kohli-Konstas face-off, Smith’s theatrics, Siraj’s bail-changing mind games, RO’s hilarious gully cricket remark on YBJ – it was Nitish Kumar Reddy’s maiden international century that stole the spotlight albeit in a losing cause.

Here’s how a gripping five-day contest unfolded at 𝐓𝐇𝐄 ‘𝐆!

DAY 1 | Aussies make merry, BOOM’s three-fer

Opting to bat first, the home team enjoyed their time in the middle, with each of the top four batters scoring fifties.

Sam Konstas, the youngest Australian opener in Tests at 19y 85d, played some exquisite shots throughout his entertaining 60-run knock, but not before that altercation with Virat Kohli… Just BGT stuff, you know!

With the scoreboard accelerating at a healthy rate, it was BOOM who took timely wickets, including sending Team India’s adversary, Travis Head, for a seven-ball duck! 😎

At stumps, Australia’s score read 311/6, with Steve Smith unbeaten at 68 and approaching his century.

DAY 2 | Jaiswal-Kohli’s important partnership

The second session on the following day saw the Australian innings conclude at 474/10. Steve Smith registered a terrific 140-run knock, recording his 11th ton in 43 innings against India in Tests, the most by any player.

Meanwhile, to reduce the deficit, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli took control of the proceedings, scoring at a brisk rate to stitch a 102-run partnership. While Jaiswal contributed 82 runs, his teammate scored 36 before an unfortunate mix-up cost the former’s wicket.

However, the Aussies pulled things back towards the end of the day, with the visitors losing wickets in quick succession. From 153/3 to 159/5, it wasn’t an ideal finish to the day, but a sold-out MCG crowd certainly wasn’t ready for what was in store for them the following day! 🎁

DAY 3 | Red-letter day ft. WILDFIRE Nitish Reddy!

A day that Nitish Kumar Reddy and his family will never forget.

Featuring in his debut series in Test whites, the 21-year-old has been one of the consistent batters in the BGT 2024-25 and this time out, he showed why he is here to stay!

Coming in at No. 8 when India were 191/6, staring at a possibility of a follow-on; Reddy weathered the conditions and brewed a mature knock en route to his 105* at the close of the day’s play, showcasing great composure, especially during his 90s.

In the process, he set several records, including the highest score by a No. 8 or lower batter for India in Australia.

Moreover, let’s not forget Washington Sundar’s calm demeanour, who played a brilliant supporting role at the other end, scoring a crucial half-century.

The Reddy-Sundar stand invited applause from all directions as the master blaster too praised the grit & determination shown by the young duo.

DAY 4 | DSP Siraj, Jassi dazzle; Aussies fightback

The Pat Cummins-led side bowled India out for 369 within the first five overs from the onset of the day’s play, pocketing a 105-run lead.

Nonetheless, Team India came out all guns blazing, with the BOOM-Siraj pair restricting the Baggy Greens to 91/6. In the process, Jasprit Bumrah completed 200 Test wickets at an incredible average of 19.56, the best in the history of the format among cricketers with a minimum of 200 wickets! 🤩

Thereafter began the home team’s resurgence. The tailenders collectively played roughly 40 overs between them to frustrate the Indian dugout, accumulating valuable runs.

From 91/6 to 228/9, their lead stretched to 333 runs at Stumps. Irrespective of the situation, an enticing Day 5 awaited both teams, with every result possible.

DAY 5 | It just wasn’t meant to be…

Another five-wicket haul added to the national treasure’s chest! 💪

Bumrah cleaned up Nathan Lyon in his first over on the final day to finally end the irking partnership. The Indian cricket team was tasked with a daunting 340-run target.

Reeling at 33/3, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant took guard and an 88-run stand did give India a glimmer of hope, but the latter’s wicket opened the floodgates and the scorecard pole vaulted from 121/4 to 155 all-out over the next 20 overs.

A 2-1 scoreline in favour of the hosts means Team India will look to make amends in the final match of the BGT 2024-25 in Sydney, beginning January 3, 2025.

 

Brief scores: Australia 474/10 (Steve Smith 140, Jasprit Bumrah 4/99) and 234/10 (Marnus Labuschagne 70, Jasprit Bumrah 5/57) beat India 369/10 (Nitish Reddy 114, Scott Boland 3/57) and 155/10 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 84, Pat Cummins 3/28) by 184 runs.