New Delhi: Australian tail wagged and wagged spectacularly as the likes of Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Scot Boland combined to help the hosts post 228/9 on the board in their second innings at stumps on Day 4. The 4th Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is set for a thrilling finish on the final day of the Boxing Day Test match with India set to chase a target in excess of 300 runs.
After India were bowled out for 369 runs in their first innings to concede a lead of 105 runs on Day 4, the Jasprit Bumrah-led pace attack got the visitors off to a flying start with the ball. Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj combined to run riot as Australia were reduced to tatters and were left reeling at 91/6 in the 36th over.
However, a fighting 70 from Marnus Labushcgane and valuable knocks from the likes of skipper Cummins (41), Lyon (41*) and Scott Boland (10*) helped Australia stage an incredible recovery and finish with 228/9 on the board, extending their lead by 333 runs at stumps. Lyon and Boland frustrated the Indian bowlers with an unbeaten stand of 55 runs for the 10th wicket.
The unbeaten 55-run stand between the two tail-enders ensured Australia finished the day with an edge above India. The visitors will have their task cut out in their second innings on Day 5 as they will have to chase down a target of at least 334 runs if Australia declare their innings without coming out to bat on the final day. If the hosts decide to bat again on Monday, India can get an even bigger target.
What are highest successful run chases for India in Tests?
It won’t be an easy task for Rohit Sharma & Co. to chase down the target of 334 runs on Day 5 with the wicket getting worn out. The pressure will be on the Indian team if they are to fancy their chances of pulling off a victory with a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final on the line. India have chased more than 330 runs in only twice in the 4th innings of a Test match.
India chased down 406 runs in their second innings to beat West Indies by 6 wickets in a Test match at the Port of Spain in Trinidad in 1976 which remains their highest-ever successful run chase in the 4th innings of a Test match. India’s second-highest successful Test chase came against England in Chennai Test in 2008 where the hosts rode on a century from Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag’s 83 to nail down the target of 387 runs in their second innings.
India chased down 329 runs on the final day of the Gabba Test to register a historic victory against Australia in Brisbane on their last tour of Australia in 2020-21 which is their third-highest successful 4th innings chase in Test history. Overall, India have managed to chase down a target of more than 300 runs only thrice in the 4th innings of a Test match.
India’s highest successful 4th innings run chases in Tests
Total
Opponent
Year
406/4
West Indies
1976
387/4
England
2008
329/7
Australia
2021
276/5
West Indies
2011
The 4th Test between India and Australia at the MCG is set for an enthralling finish on the final day with the hosts setting up a target of over 300 runs for Rohit Sharma & Co. in their 2nd innings. Here is a look at India’s highest successful run chases in 4th innings in Tests. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
