Set an almost unachievable target of 399 by India to win the 3rd Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Australian batsmen showed a spectacular fight. Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Pat Cummins showed resilience and the ability to stand which they seldom displayed in the first innings.
At stumps on Day 4, India has picked up 8 wickets with 2 more to win the Test match. Australia is on 285/8 with 141 runs to win the match. Cummins and Lyon are batting on 61* and 6* respectively. For India, Ravindra Jadeja has picked up the most- 3 wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami picked up 2 wickets each. Ishant Sharma claimed 1 wicket.
Session 1:
India resumed batting on Day 4 at 54/5 and a lead of 346 runs, Mayank Agarwal chopped on a Pat Cummins delivery on to his stumps. He made 42.
Cummins took his sixth wicket of the innings with a short ball to Ravindra Jadeja. Usman Khwaja took the catch, Jadeja made 5.
Rishabh Pant guided one Hazelwood delivery to Tim Paine who took a one-handed ripper. Indian captain Virat Kohli declared for the second time in the match. India put up 106/8. Australia needed 399 to win the match.
Career-best figures for Aussie pace ace Pat Cummins. Superstar!#AUSvIND | @Domaincomau pic.twitter.com/n1xwMLB1Sv
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2018
Aaron Finch continuing on his bad form didn’t last long. Bumrah struck on his second ball as Finch guided one straight to Kohli.
Jadeja got rid of Marcus Harris. He got an inside edge and Mayank Agarwal held onto a sharp chance in close. He made 13. At lunch, Australia were 33/2 with Khawaja on 26* and Shaun Marsh on 2*.
That's lunch at the 'G with the Aussies two wickets down and 355 more runs to get.
Khawaja 26* and SMarsh 2*: https://t.co/0glOblMnaq #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QS2EcmHM7f
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2018
Session 2:
Usman Khawaja looked extremely good until Mohammad Shami bowler a jaffer and caught up in front of the wicket. He made 33.
The Aussies lose a wicket and a review… #SpecsaversCricket #AUSvIND | @SpecsaversAU pic.twitter.com/uT1RZ5s0Oh
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2018
The Australian batting mainstay Shaun Marsh made 44 until he was LBW off Jasprit Bumrah. He reviewed umpire’s decision but the decision stayed.
Shaun Marsh has to go on Umpire's Call… #CloseMatters#AUSvIND | @GilletteAU pic.twitter.com/2NXMGSQ48l
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2018
Kohli’s captaincy was spot on. He placed himself and cover. Jadeja bowled a ball to drive which Mitchell Marsh hit straight to him. Marsh went for 10.
At tea, Australia was at 142/5. India needed 5 more wickets to win the match.
Session 3:
Travis Head was looking good until he chopped one Ishant Sharma delivery onto the stumps. He made 34.
Australian skipper Tim Paine was caught behind off Jadeja. Rishabh Pant took an amazing catch. Paine was dismissed on 26.
Sharp from Pant behind the stumps and India are closing in on victory at the 'G!#AUSvIND | @bet365_aus pic.twitter.com/hxWY6zPvuv
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2018
Mohammad Shami came round the wicket and bowled Mitchell Stark on 18. He was the last wicket to fall on the day.
Pat Cummins who was outstanding with his bowling, was splendid with his batting. He scored at a brisk pace. At stumps, he is not out on 61 along with Nathan Lyon on 6*.
India needs 2 wickets to win the match while Australia needs 141 runs.
Pat Cummins leads Australia fightback with a gritty half-century!
The hosts finish the day on 258/8, and they need 141 more runs on the final day. Can they do the improbable?#AUSvIND SCORECARD ⬇️https://t.co/XyVZQv8kRp pic.twitter.com/Yr6bjkGN4P
— ICC (@ICC) December 29, 2018
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