India’s Resistance Against Australia

Australia made a spirited attempt to secure a win, racing to 89 for 7 in just 18 second-innings overs. Setting India a challenging target of 275 in 54 overs, the hosts were ultimately thwarted by uncooperative weather conditions and resilient opposition.

The post-lunch session turned chaotic as Australia’s batters took an aggressive approach after just four overs of play were possible in the morning. Their efforts to accelerate gave India a fleeting glimpse of an improbable victory. Jasprit Bumrah struck early, clean-bowling Usman Khawaja for the fourth time in the series with a brilliant delivery from around the wicket. The hosts were soon reeling at 33 for 5 as Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj snared two wickets each, capitalising on Australia’s high-risk strategy.

Despite the flurry of wickets, Travis Head and Alex Carey counterattacked with a brisk 27-run standoff just 22 deliveries. Pat Cummins then added quick runs with a fiery 10-ball cameo, smashing two sixes and as many boundaries to bolster the total. With time running out, Australia declared, banking on their three-man bowling attack to force a result. However, India’s openers confidently played out 2.1 overs before fading light forced the umpires to call an early Tea break.

Earlier in the day, India’s last-wicket pair contributed eight valuable runs to the overnight total of 252. Akash Deep’s defiant 31, coupled with a vital 47-run stand the previous evening, ensured India avoided the follow-on before he was stumped by Head.

Brief Scores

Australia 445 & 89/7 declared (Pat Cummins 22; Jasprit Bumrah 3-18) led India 260 (KL Rahul 84, Ravindra Jadeja 77; Pat Cummins 4-81) & 8/0 (KL Rahul 4*, Yashasvi Jaiswal 4*) by 267 runs.