Australia claimed a dramatic 184-run win over India in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. The game ended in the final hour on Day 5, with a crowd of over 74,000 witnessing the intense finale.
Nathan Lyon secured the last wicket, dismissing Mohammed Siraj with just under 14 overs left. The win gives Australia a 2-1 lead in the five-match Border-Gavaskar series. They now need only a draw in Sydney to reclaim the trophy.
Pat Cummins led the way for Australia with a match-winning spell of 3/28 on the final day. His efforts before lunch shifted the game decisively. India found hope through Yashasvi Jaiswal’s impressive 88 and Rishabh Pant’s brisk 30, as the duo added 88 runs for the fourth wicket.
However, the momentum turned when Travis Head removed Pant, and Jaiswal was dismissed after a TV umpire review. Nathan Lyon, bowled Siraj to seal the victory for Australia. It was his second wicket of the inning.
Australia’s Dominant Performance in Boxing Day Test
Australia delivered an all-round display, with contributions across the board. Their lineup included stars like Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and skipper Pat Cummins.
But despite all the resistance from Jaiswal and aggression from Pant, India gave up the chase and fell short. The team must now win in Sydney to have a fighting chance and level the series.
World Test Championship Race
Australia retains its second position in the World Test Championship standings, and it stands a good chance of being able to reach the final at Lord’s next year. India still has a chance but needs to win the Sydney Test and have some luck so Australia might falter in the remainder of the series against Sri Lanka.
This thrilling contest at the MCG will be remembered as one of the big Test matches in recent history.
