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In a gripping day of Test cricket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia and India engaged in a fierce battle that showcased remarkable individual performances and shifting momentum. As Day 4 unfolded, Jasprit Bumrah‘s exceptional bowling dismantled the Australian middle order, while Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland‘s resilience frustrated India’s attempts to wrap up the innings.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s resilience ends at the start of Day 4
Nitish Kumar Reddy emerged as a beacon of hope for India with his maiden Test century, scoring 114 runs in a valiant effort that kept India competitive. His innings was characterized by a blend of solid defense and aggressive stroke play, particularly during a record partnership for the eighth wicket with Washington Sundar. Together, they added 127 runs, significantly reducing Australia’s first-innings lead from 311 to a manageable 116 before Reddy fell to Lyon on the start of the day. His century not only showcased his potential but also brought life back into the Indian camp at a time when they desperately needed it.
Also READ: AUS🔴 vs IND: Jasprit Bꦦumrah scripts unique record after going past 200-wickets milestone in MCG Test
Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery burst on Day 4
Bumrah continued to assert his dominance with the ball, claiming four wickets for 56 runs, including the crucial scalps of Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Alex Carey in a devastating spell that left Australia reeling at 99 for 6. This performance marked Bumrah’s 200th Test wicket, a significant milestone that underscored his status as one of the premier fast bowlers in the world. After lunch, Bumrah’s relentless pressure forced Steve Smith into an ill-advised drive, which was expertly caught by Mohammed Siraj, further deepening Australia’s woes as they struggled to build any momentum in their second innings
Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland hold firm to end the day
As India sought to capitalize on their bowling success, Lyon and Boland proved to be formidable obstacles. The duo combined for an unbroken last-wicket partnership that frustrated Indian bowlers and extended Australia’s lead to 333 runs by stumps. Lyon’s gritty performance included an unbeaten 41 runs, during which he survived a close call when he edged one to slip, only for Bumrah to overstep. This moment epitomized the day’s tension as India missed crucial opportunities to claim wickets.
The final push to decide the fate on Day 5
Heading into Day 5, India face an uphill battle. No team has successfully chased down a target higher than 332 at the MCG in fourth innings history, making their task daunting. The ghosts of past encounters loom large as memories of India’s historic win at the Gabba in 2021 resurface. With Bumrah leading the charge and Reddy’s heroics fresh in mind, India must muster all their resolve to challenge Australia’s total. As the day concluded with Australia at 228 for 9, leading by 333 runs, the stage is set for an exhilarating finish.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
VIRAT KOHLI 🤝 JASPRIT BUMRAH
– The aggression celebration of King Kohli & Bumrah after Australia Wickets falls ..!!🔥
— MANU. (@Manojy9812)
🐽AUSTRALIA ENDS DAY 4 AFTER BEING 91/6 TO 228/9. 🤯
– Day 5.
– 96 overs.
– Australia with a lead of 333 runs.RETIRE ROHIT SHARMA
" CLUELESS CAPTAIN "( Nathan lyon has score more run in single innin🍸gs than whole runs of roshit )
— 𝔸𝕃𝕎𝔸𝕐𝕊𝔽𝔸𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ (@harsh_hpt)
Nathan Lyon has scored more runs (41*)in this innings t🐲han Rohit Sharma (22) has in this series.
Has a chance to fix it tomorrow!
— Anand (@anandkumarn)
The 55 runs added by Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland will make i🌊t challenging for India ෴to achieve the target on Day 5
Chasing down the target won💖’t be easy, but small contributions, like those from the Australian players, can make a significant difference. …
— Kamlesh Yadav (@kamleshyadav242)
Australia despite being routed by Jasprit Bumrah, have stuck on courtesy an undaunted & defiant Nathan Lyon & the resolute Scott🎶 Boland adding 55 runs for the last wicket, bolstering tಌhe lead to 333.
At one time, reduced to 91-6, India should have pressed on꧒. Marnus Labuschagne…
— Dr. Nauman Niaz (@DrNaumanNiaz)
Jasprit Bumrah bowled more than 50 overs (28 overs in first and 24 overs in second innings) alone in the 4th test. We 🍌can see the tiredness and he bowled various no balls and even Nathan Lyon scored a boundary on his ball.
— Parichay by Shankar (@Shanky_Parihar)
Nathan Lyon & Boland playing 100 Balls 10th wickets partnership at MCG…
— Muffabhai bahra (@Singhdhakad47)
Dilute poor in the name of
While Boland & Nathan Lyon played more than 15 overs under this field setup
Enna da field set up ithu lam— Ş𝕟Ƭ♄↳ᵏ𝔪☈ (@snthl_kmr05)
Jasprit Bumrah bowled 23ཧ overs across 8 spells out of first 72 overs🔯.
– India needs to be careful for his workload management. A huge 8 months ahead.
&m𒈔dash; M๊onu Singh (🇮🇳 Bihari 🇮🇳) (@OfficialMonuak1)
Petition to build the statue of Sir Jasprit🧔 Bumrah outside the Wankhade Stadium ASAP 🙏🏻
— Un-Lucky (@Luckyytweets)
