New Delhi: The Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is set for a blockbuster finish with all results possible heading into the final day. India seemed to have gained an edge against the hosts after Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj combined to reduce the hosts to 91/6 at one stage in their second innings on Day 5. However, Australia climbed back into the game thanks to a remarkable fightback by the tail-enders.
Barring Marnus Labuschagne, none of Australia’s top six managed to deliver as Bumrah and Siraj dominated the proceedings during the hosts’ second innings on Day 4. Bumrah got rid of opener Sam Konstas cheaply on 8 before dismissing the likes of Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey in quick succession.
Siraj, on the other hand, cleaned up Usman Khawaja with a ripper before dismissing big fish Steve Smith. Labuschagne was the lone warrior for Australia in the top order with a fighting 70-run knock. While many thought the hosts would crumble after his dismissal, Aussie tail wagged as the likes of skipper Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland lifted Australia to 228/9 at stumps on Day 4, extending their lead by 333 runs.
Cummins played a gutsy knock of 41 runs off 90 balls while Boland and Lyon added an unbeaten 55-run stand for the 10th wicket to make the Indian bowlers toil hard for a wicket. Lyon finished the day unbeaten on 41 while Boland remained not out on 10, playing 119 balls between them. Thanks to their stellar batting efforts, Australia are set to hand India a massive target in their second innings on Day 5.
Can India produce a Gabba 2.0 at MCG?
India will have their task cut out when they begin their run chase in their second innings at the MCG on Monday. The visitors will need a Gabbe-esque miracle if they are to fancy their chances of winning the Test match considering the target they will be going after. India will have to chase down at least 334 runs if Australia don’t resume their second innings on Day 5 and declare before the start of play.
India will be required to pull off the highest-ever successful chase in a Test match at the MCG as no team has ever chased more than 332 runs in the longest format at the iconic venue. England currently hold the record for the highest-ever successful chase at the MCG when they chased down 332 runs in a Test match against Australia in 1928.
In fact, England’s 332-run chase against Australia in 1928 remains the only instance when a team chased down a target of more than 300 runs at the MCG. No other team has managed to successfully chase down a target of more than 300 runs in a Test match at the venue. Over the last 50 years, 183 is the highest-ever target chased at the MCG in a Test match.
Highest successful run chases in Tests at the MCG:
Team
Total
Opponent
Year
England
332/7
Australia
1928
England
298/4
Australia
1895
South Africa
297/4
Australia
1953
Australia
287/5
England
1929
England
282/9
Australia
1908
The stats and numbers prove it’s going to be an enormous task for India to chase down the target of 334 runs (or above) in their second innings on Day 5. Australia will not be making the mistake of taking India lightly though having witnessed their stunning chase at the Gabba in Brisbane in 2021. India rode on heroic knocks from Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant to breach Australia’s fortress at the Gabba by chasing down 329 runs in their second innings.
Rohit Sharma & Co. find themselves in a similar situation heading into the Day of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and it will take nothing less than a miracle for India to emerge winners and take 2-1 lead in the series. India’s batting has so far failed to fire as a unit in the series but the likes of skipper Rohit, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant will have to step up if they are to pull off a Gabba-like miracle at the MCG on Monday.
India will need to pull off a miraculous run-chase at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in order to win the 4th Test against Australia with a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final on the line. India will have to play out of their skin to even force a draw in the Test match. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
