(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Day 5 of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was filled with intense action and the struggle of the Indian team continued after they bowled out the hosts for 234 runs. India were provided with a target of 340 runs and India lost early wickets in the form of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul.
Rohit’s Test slump persisted and he was dismissed for nine runs as Rahul departed for a duck. On the other hand, Virat Kohli’s struggle against the off-side line does not seem to cede. The right-handed batter got dismissed aiming for a shot of off-side delivery and scored just five runs facing 29 balls. The respite came in the form of a partnership between Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal (84 of 208).
The duo put up an 88-run stand for the fourth wicket before Pant departed trying to slog Travis Head over covers. He scored 30 of 104 and since then everything seemed to work against India’s plans. Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy had a brief stay at the crease, contributing just two and one run. Washington Sundar tried to brave the good spells from Aussies but he had no support from the other end.
Akash Deep showed a glimmer of hope in his seven runs knock but after his wicket, even Jasprit Bumrah handed a catch to slip as India were reeling at 154/9. Mohammed Siraj was undone as soon as he took the crease by Nathan Lyon and Australia won the game by 184 runs. They also took a 2-1 lead in the series with the last game scheduled to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney from January 3.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Australia’s win:
I think its right time Rohit Sharma takes exit from test cricket, jasprit bumrah should be captain, virat should be given ultimatum, we have so many players in india who does not get enough chances which rohit sharma got. #INDvsAUS #RohitSharma𓃵 #ViratKohli𓃵 #JaspritBumrah
— Jaswant (@Jaswant64857248) December 30, 2024
Cummins has an unreal aura. What a cricketer 🐐#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/hXPyVsp1Jc
— 𝙉𝙤𝙮𝙖𝙣 (@notabihour) December 30, 2024
Pat Cummins was superb in captaincy, and with both bat and ball. Done well in all departments. #INDvsAUS #BGT
— Yesh Singhal (@SinghalYesh) December 30, 2024
Welcome to the GG era 🔥😭#INDvsAUS #ViratKohli𓃵 #RohitSharma #MCGTest
— YASH (@Forhach_0407) December 30, 2024
Indian batting is at its lowest….needs to be update… without @Jaspritbumrah93
..we are nothing in this series…#INDvsAUS
— Aayush Ranjan (@reply4mood) December 30, 2024
It is sad to see the downfall of Indian Test team. Virat Kohli the leader has spoilt me and raised my expectations from this bunch. I should probably lower it and prepare mentally for 1-3#INDvsAUS
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) December 30, 2024
Surprisingly this loss at MCG doesn’t hurt as much as the pain for the efforts put by bumrah does.#INDvsAUS
— Sangaokar (@Rahul73211) December 30, 2024
Had Australia completely outplayed India, it would not be so hurting.
It’s India handing over the game gift wrapped on a platter that’s frustrating and disappointing. And more importantly, they arent even learning the lessons.
Zero game sense. Zero smartness.#INDvsAUS
— Deepak Kumar Panda (@Deepsdkp) December 30, 2024
most of these indian players are not test match players. T20 cricket has destroyed test crickets #INDvsAUS
— imad ahmad (@imad_ahmad90) December 30, 2024
Twitter Reactions: Jacob Duffy’s four-wicket haul helps Kiwis go 2-0 up against Sri Lanka
Twitter Reactions: South Africa pip Pakistan in Centurion thriller by two wickets
Twitter Reactions: After Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling masterclass, Australia tail wags to frustrate India on Day 4
Twitter Reactions: Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi drain Zimbabwe on wicketless Day 3
