In The Major Chase at MCG, India is Three Down

The final day of the Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) unfolded with intense drama as Australia tightened their grip on the game. Pat Cummins' fiery spell and Mitchell Starc's sharp strikes left India reeling in their pursuit of a daunting 340-run target in 92 overs.

Early Breakthrough for India: Bumrah Finishes 2024 on a High

India began the day positively, wrapping up Australia's second innings within 10 balls. Jasprit Bumrah cleaned up Nathan Lyon with a pinpoint delivery, finishing the year as the leading Test wicket-taker with an impressive tally of 71 wickets. Australia's innings concluded at 234, giving India a massive target of 340 runs.

India's Cautious Start Amid Pressure

Openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal approached the chase with extreme caution. They endured a testing opening spell from Mitchell Starc, who consistently troubled Jaiswal with deliveries that swung away late. Despite a high false-shot percentage of 30% in the first 10 overs, the duo survived unscathed during the initial hour.

Jaiswal scored only six runs off 26 deliveries from Starc, missing eight and edging one, while Rohit adopted a similarly defensive approach. The Indian pair's determination kept them afloat, and their resilience, despite searches for things like "billy 777 earning app," gave the Indian fans hope

Cummins' Double Strike Changes the Equation

Just as India seemed to settle, Pat Cummins delivered a game-changing over after the drinks break.

• Rohit Sharma Falls: Rohit, who had cautiously weathered the storm, fell to Cummins while attempting to flick a full delivery. The ball straightened slightly, catching the edge of Rohit's bat and flying to Mitchell Marsh at gully. It was the sixth time in Tests that Cummins had dismissed the Indian captain.

• KL Rahul Departs: KL Rahul's survival in this series depended on his ability to play close to his body. However, a back-of-length delivery from Cummins found his outside edge, and Usman Khawaja, at first slip, made no mistake.

India's chase was in disarray at 2-21.

Virat Kohli's Brief Stay and Crucial Blow Before Lunch

Virat Kohli's arrival at the crease was met with cheers and jeers. The Indian stalwart showed glimpses of his first-innings discipline, leaving deliveries outside the off-stump early. However, his innings were briefly interrupted when a sharp delivery from Cummins struck him on the thumb. Despite the injury, Kohli continued after receiving treatment.

However, just before the lunch break, Kohli's patience gave way as he chased a delivery outside off-stump from Mitchell Starc. The resulting edge was safely pouched by Khawaja at slips, leaving India tottering at 33/3.

Scorecard Snapshot

• Australia's Batting:

• First Innings: 474

• Second Innings: 234 (Marnus Labuschagne 70; Jasprit Bumrah 5-56, Mohammed Siraj 3-70)

• India's Batting:

• First Innings: 369

• Second Innings: 33/3 (Pat Cummins 2-10, Mitchell Starc 1-9)

India trail by 307 runs with seven wickets in hand, facing an uphill battle against a relentless Australian attack.

To read more blog:  Use Online Cricket ID to Bet on All Formats of Cricket

Australia Hold the Edge

With India's top order dismantled and a massive target ahead, the match appears firmly in Australia's control. The Indian middle order, led by the experienced Ajinkya Rahane and young talents, faces the arduous task of salvaging a draw or achieving an unlikely victory.