Jasprit Bumrah has produced another classic spell to decimate Australia’s top order and give India a chance to claim a special victory in the Boxing Day Test.
India’s pace sensation instigated a 4-11 collapse in 21 balls at the MCG on Sunday, leaving Australia delicately positioned at 6-135 at tea on the fourth day.
Australia’s lead increased to 240 after taking a 105-run lead in their second innings as they bowled out India for 369 in 17 minutes of the first session of the day.
Marnus Labuschagne (65no), who had a life on 46 when Yashasvi Jaiswal lost his second of three catches of the day, is leading the Australian innings, with captain Pat Cummins (21no) in support.
India’s bowling strategy on Sunday was clear: attack the stumps.
During a frantic three-over spell after lunch, Bumrah claimed the wickets of Travis Head (1), Mitch Marsh (0) and Alex Carey (2), taking his figures for that spell to 3-4.
Jasprit Bumrah has produced another classic spell to decimate Australia’s top order
India now has more than a chance of achieving a special victory in the Boxing Day Test
Head’s dismissal, a soft catch at square leg, was Bumrah’s 200th Test wicket.
The 31-year-old reached the 200-wicket milestone with a better career average (19.56) than any bowler in history.
Bumrah has 33 of the 63 wickets India have taken during this Border-Gavaskar series at a measly average of 12.34.
Before lunch, Bumrah took revenge on Sam Konstas for the teenage debutant’s Boxing Day festival.
Veteran opener Usman Khawaja avoided falling victim to Bumrah for the sixth time in the series.
But just as Khawaja (21) looked ready, the left-hander was bowled by Mohammed Siraj, who silenced the crowd, and was booed by Australian fans since he dismissed Travis Head in Adelaide.
After writing himself into Boxing Day folklore with an audacious 60 on Thursday, Konstas was out for eight in his second Test innings when Bumrah rattled his stumps.
The 19-year-old loved every minute of his Test debut, interacting with the crowd and taking selfies with spectators.
The great Indian has been a standout actor in this series.
Bumrah reached the 200-wicket milestone with a better career average (19.56) than any bowler in history.
As Bumrah dismissed Konstas, the world’s number one Test bowler raised his hands in the air at the strong Indian contingent sitting in the Ponsford stand.
The 31-year-old’s celebration appeared to mimic what Konstas had been doing with the crowd while playing.
A brilliant first century from Nitish Kumar Reddy propelled India past the next target on Saturday after the tourists were in trouble at 5-164 in reply to Australia’s 474.
Reddy, just 21 and playing in his fourth Test, helped India add another 11 runs to their overnight score of 9-358.
Scott Boland was the pick of Australia’s bowlers with 3-57 in 27 overs.
Australia bowled 120 overs in India as the effects of a grueling series appear to take their toll on Mitchell Starc.
The star received treatment on his back on the third day, but continued playing at his full pace during the final session on Saturday.
Starc has worked hard for 25 overs in this Test, moving back from the 24 he bowled in Brisbane.
Jasprit Bumrah left Australia in shock after taking three wickets in just 11 balls.
Boland was called up to the XI after star Josh Hazlewood collapsed for the second time in the series at the Gabba.
The fitness of Australia’s bowling attack will be a major factor in deciding the outcome of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
This Test will last five days, a rarity in modern cricket in Australia, meaning the players will have just three days off before the final begins at the SCG.
With the five-match series tied 1-1, India will retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy if they pull off a remarkable comeback in this Test.
Reserve batsman Josh Inglis has been ruled out for the remainder of the series after suffering a calf strain while playing on day two.