India needed to defend 340 runs to avoid a defeat on the final day of the MCG test with 65,000 spectators straining their vocal cords at the stadium, whilst millions of Indian supporters biting their nails anticipating a match saving innings from atleast Sharma or Kholi.
India bowled Australia out this morning for 234 runs conceeding a lead of 340 to the home team.
The Indian lunch at the dressing room would have tasted saltless with K.L.Rahul , Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kholi back in the pavilion and sporting casual cricket clothing with no more participation on the field with the score on 33 for 3 wickets.
Australia, on the other hand, would have been optimistic of going to the SCG for the final test with a 2 -1 one lead with one foot on the WTC finals at Lords in the Summer of 2025.
Rishab Pant and Jaiswal brought smiles on the faces of the Indian fans both at the venue and the millions eyeballing this enthralling test match with India on 113 for 3 wickets and the opposition going wicketless in the second session of play.
Everything looked like a dead lock with only 48 overs left with 7 wickets in hand . The bookmakers had reduced the stakes for a result inevitably , and the com box was of the view the introduction of Travis Head to bowl his off spin were clear signs that Australia were concerned in losing valuable points due to the slow over rate and they rather play for the inevitable draw whilst savings the points with the WTC in their mind.
The score was 136 for 3 wickets, India cannot reach the target of 340, and their run rate and approach showed that they too wanted the series at one all level before the SCG test.
Suddenly, the light at the end of the tunnel lit up as Travis Head got a bonus scalp of Rishab Pant caught by Mitchell Starc in the deep for 30, and Scot Bolland reintroduced to the attack picking up the wicket of Jadeja caught off a bouncing 4th stump delivery at which the Southpaw poked at and the Indians were 5 wickets for 140.
Breakhrough is what the Australian team exploits on better than any team in the world. First innings star Nitesh Reddy was still under the pump of India depending on him to join Jaiswal and close the innings and bat the overs out, but he fell victim to a Nathan Lyon off spinner trying to reach for the ball only to be caught by Steve Smith at first slip hence, with the second new ball expected in 4 overs the Australian players suddenly looked up and noted India on 142 for 6, hence our lunch time dream is now a reality.
This is what I term as the Aussie grit. Honestly, rest is history. India was not good enough to bat till the end and was bowled out for 155. Thus, they lost the test by 184 runs .
The controversy of the Jaiswal decision has been the target against the third umpire, and BCCI shamefully has made a commitment which is appaling. They state he was not out. It has been proved far beyond doubt he gloved it. This has been endorsed not only by world-renowned umpire Simon Taufel but also by Rickey Ponting.
So, it is wise for the couch critics of Indian BCCI officials to hold their peace and not blame the umpires instead of addressing if their team is carrying too many old cronies and schoolboy bullies in the playing eleven.
