The highly anticipated fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has started with both teams looking to seize the momentum.
Day 1 saw an intense battle between bat and ball, as Australia ended the day at 311/6, with Steve Smith anchoring the innings after Jasprit Bumrah spearheaded a late Indian fightback.
The day began with Australia captain Pat Cummins winning the toss and opting to bat first. The visitors made a bold selection decision by dropping Shubman Gill and bringing in Washington Sundar as an additional spinner.
India’s lineup changes raised eyebrows, particularly with captain Rohit Sharma listed at No. 3 in the batting order despite hinting at opening the innings. The series, tied at 1-1, adds extra pressure on both teams, with India aiming for a historic third successive series win in Australia.
Australia’s opening session was dominated by debutant Sam Konstas, who took the Indian bowlers by surprise with his audacious strokeplay. The young batter scored a quick-fire 60 off 65 balls, leaving the Indian bowlers scrambling to regain control.
His aggressive approach even led to a heated moment with Virat Kohli, with the umpire stepping in to defuse the tension. Ravindra Jadeja eventually dismissed Konstas, providing some respite for the Indian team.
Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne then steadied the Australian innings in the second session. Khawaja fought hard for his half-century, showcasing patience against a disciplined Indian pace attack.
Labuschagne complemented him with a composed knock, frustrating the bowlers and building a solid platform for the visitors. By Tea, Australia was firmly in control at 176/2, with the Indian bowlers struggling to find breakthroughs.
The third session, however, brought a dramatic turnaround. Jasprit Bumrah led the charge with a fiery spell, dismissing Travis Head for a duck in a bizarre fashion as the batter left a delivery that crashed onto his stumps.
Moments earlier, Washington Sundar had ended Labuschagne’s innings, with the batter departing after a well-made 72. Labuschagne’s partnership with Steve Smith had added 83 runs, giving Australia a strong foundation. Bumrah then struck again, removing Mitchell Marsh and tilting the balance slightly in India’s favour.
Steve Smith remained the mainstay of the Australian innings, holding firm amid the flurry of wickets. His calm and determined approach ensured that the Indian bowlers could not capitalise fully on their breakthroughs.
Smith’s resilience has been a hallmark of his game, and his ability to bat with the lower order will be crucial for Australia heading into Day 2.
For India, Bumrah’s late strikes were the highlight of the day. His dismissal of Khawaja earlier in the day was a testament to his skill, having dismissed the batter five times in the series.
Mohammed Siraj and debutant Akash Deep also bowled with intent but lacked the finishing touch to convert pressure into wickets. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar showed promise with their spin, though the MCG surface did not offer much assistance.
Australia’s decision to bat first seems to have paid off so far, with Smith anchoring the innings and contributions from the top order setting up a competitive total. The Indian bowlers, however, showed in the final session that they can exploit any lapse in concentration from the Australians.
Rohit Sharma’s decision-making, both in terms of team selection and on-field tactics, will come under scrutiny as the match progresses. His own batting form has been a topic of discussion, with the Indian skipper needing a strong performance to silence his critics.
Virat Kohli, too, will be eager to make an impact, having struggled to find his best form in recent times.
The second day promises to be another intriguing contest. India will look to wrap up the Australian innings quickly and put their batting unit to the test against a formidable Australian bowling attack.
With Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and the returning Scott Boland in their ranks, Australia’s bowlers are sure to pose a stern challenge.
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