India VS Australia – 4th Test Match
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Dates: December 26–30, 2024
Series: 4-match Test series (currently tied 1-1)
Day-by-Day Summary
Day 1 Highlights:
- Australia’s Batting:
- After opting to bat, Australia got off to a steady start with openers Usman Khawaja (71) and David Warner (48) laying a solid platform.
- Marnus Labuschagne added 85 runs, anchoring the middle order.
- Star performer: Steve Smith scored a brilliant 140 off 220 balls, including 16 boundaries.
- Total at Stumps: 327/6
- India’s Bowling:
- Jasprit Bumrah led the attack with 3 wickets.
- Ravindra Jadeja maintained tight control, picking up 2 wickets.
Day 2 Highlights:
- Australia’s 1st Innings:
- Australia was bowled out for 474. Contributions from Pat Cummins (45) and Alex Carey (29) bolstered the total.
- Best Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah (4/90), Ravichandran Ashwin (3/105).
- India’s Batting:
- Openers Rohit Sharma (24) and Shubman Gill (38) provided a cautious start.
- Virat Kohli (56) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (114) stabilized the innings.
- India ended the day at 278/6.
Day 3 Highlights:
- India’s 1st Innings:
- India was all out for 369, conceding a lead of 105 runs.
- Key Player: Nitish Kumar Reddy registered his maiden Test century (114 off 190 balls).
- Partnerships: Reddy and Washington Sundar (127 runs for the 7th wicket).
- Australia’s 2nd Innings:
- By Stumps: Australia scored 23/1, with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Khawaja early.
Day 4 (Morning Session):
- Australia’s 2nd Innings:
- Australia scored 53/2 at Lunch, extending their lead to 158 runs.
- Current Batting: Marnus Labuschagne (16*), Steve Smith (0*).
- Indian Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj and Bumrah struck early to remove Khawaja and Sam Konstas.
Key Performers of the Match So Far
- Australia:
- Steve Smith: 140 runs (1st innings).
- Nathan Lyon: Key spinner with 3 wickets in India’s 1st innings.
- India:
- Nitish Kumar Reddy: Maiden century in Test cricket.
- Jasprit Bumrah: Total 5 wickets across innings.
Pitch Report & Match Context
The MCG pitch has provided ample support for batters on Days 1 and 2. However, cracks are opening up, favoring spinners and reverse swing from Day 3 onwards.
With Australia’s current lead, the match could go either way depending on the 4th-day afternoon session.
