IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 5: Team India on the Brink of Defeat at MCG
India vs Australia 4th Test Day 5: Australia sets a 340-run target in the Boxing Day Test at MCG. India stumbles with 7 wickets down, as Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 84 offers brief hope. Can the lower order salvage the game?

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 5: The Boxing Day Test between India and Australia, part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, is in its final stages at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Australia has set a challenging target of 340 runs for India, and the match has reached a tense fifth and final day.
India's batting lineup struggled under pressure, losing seven wickets while scoring around 140 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the lone bright spot, scoring a commendable 84 runs before being dismissed. Currently, Akash Deep and Washington Sundar are holding the fort for India.
Australia's Second Innings: Key Highlights
Australia was bowled out for 234 runs in their second innings.
Jasprit Bumrah shone with the ball, claiming five crucial wickets.
India's Performance in the First Innings
India managed a score of 369 runs, thanks to Nitish Kumar Reddy's brilliant century (114 runs).
Despite the strong total, Australia had a first-innings lead of 105 runs after scoring 474.
India's Struggles in the Final Innings
While chasing the target of 340, India's batting faltered early:
Slow Start: Openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal opted for a cautious approach, scoring just 25 runs in 16 overs.
Key Wickets Lost
Rohit Sharma (9) was caught by Mitchell Marsh off Pat Cummins.
KL Rahul was dismissed for a duck, caught by Usman Khawaja.
Virat Kohli fell for just 5 runs, once again succumbing to his weakness against deliveries outside off-stump.
Hope Fades as India Falters
With seven wickets down and the required run rate climbing, India’s hopes of a miraculous win now rest on the lower order. The partnership between Washington Sundar and Akash Deep will be crucial in avoiding a defeat.
MCG Boxing Day Test: A Rollercoaster Battle
This match has been a tale of twists and turns. From Australia’s dominant first innings to Jasprit Bumrah’s stellar bowling in the second, both teams have shown glimpses of brilliance. However, India's batting collapse in the final innings has put them on the back foot.