australia-defeats-india-to-end-13-year-boxing-day-streak

Australia ended India's 13-year unbeaten streak in the Boxing Day Test with a commanding 184-run victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

 

The gripping contest on Day 5 showcased Australia's all-round performance and highlighted India's failure to rise to the occasion with the bat, leaving them trailing 2-1 in the five-match series.

 

The match was a testament to the enduring appeal of Test cricket, played before a record-breaking crowd. Both teams traded blows in an intense battle, with Australia's relentless attack ultimately overpowering India's resistance.

 

This victory marked Australia's first red-ball Test win against India on home soil since 2018.

 

Chasing 330 for an improbable win, India faltered early, finding themselves at 33 for 3 by lunch on the final day. Big names like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed to deliver under pressure, setting the stage for a challenging day.

 

However, a gritty partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant in the second session offered hope. The duo added 78 runs in 27.5 overs without losing a wicket, reviving India’s chances of salvaging a draw.

 

The turning point came after Tea when Pant, who had looked settled, fell to a part-time bowler, Travis Head, attempting an ambitious shot. His dismissal triggered a collapse, with India losing three wickets for just nine runs.

 

From there, the team crumbled, losing seven wickets in the final session and being bowled out for 155 after 79.1 overs of defiance.

 

Jaiswal’s valiant 84 off 208 balls stood out as a lone bright spot for India, but his dismissal in the final session proved decisive. Washington Sundar, who had impressed with a half-century in the first innings, remained unbeaten but found no support from the lower order.

 

Australia's captain Pat Cummins was exceptional, leading by example with both his bowling and on-field tactics. His three-wicket haul included the crucial scalp of Jaiswal, sealing India’s fate.

 

Scott Boland, playing on his home ground, continued his remarkable MCG record, taking three wickets, including key lower-order dismissals. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon, making his first major impact in the series, contributed with three wickets and a vital 41-run cameo in Australia's second innings.

 

 

The contrast between the two captains was stark. Cummins exuded confidence and precision, while India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma, seemed out of sorts, struggling with form and decision-making throughout the series.

 

Despite individual brilliance from players like Jasprit Bumrah, who remained unplayable with the ball, and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, who scored a memorable rearguard hundred, India’s collective performance fell short.

 

The team failed to replicate their heroics from Sydney 2021, where they batted out an entire day to save a Test.

 

The win sets Australia up with an unassailable 2-1 lead heading into the final Test in Sydney. For India, the defeat is a wake-up call, highlighting the need for consistency and composure in high-stakes matches.

 

As the series heads to its conclusion, both teams will aim to make a statement, with Australia eyeing a series victory and India striving to salvage pride.