The fourth Test saw Australia beat India by 184 runs in the final session to secure a 2-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy lead. The Indian squad, cruising towards a draw, crumbled, losing seven wickets for 34 runs. The turning point occurred after Tea when Rishabh Pant rashly pulled a half-tracker from part-timer Travis Head to Mitchell Marsh at long-on.
Pant’s poor shot selection slowed India and gave Australia a run of wickets. Also, after Ravindra Jadeja edged a rising Scott Boland delivery, India lost three more vital wickets in 27 deliveries. Nathan Lyon dismissed first-innings centurion Nitish Reddy, caught by Steve Smith at first slip for one run.
India’s score dropped from 121/3 to 130/6, giving Australia confidence. With India on the brink, Washington Sundar stepped at the crease with five close-in fielders. Sam Konstas continuously chatted to distract Sundar and Jaiswal from ludicrous point. Pat Cummins returned to the attack and dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal, a major breakthrough.
Thus, the third umpire overturned the on-field decision after a tiny deviation in the ball’s course after the India opener was caught behind after an unsuccessful pull shot against a short delivery. Also, Akash Deep lasted 16 balls before nicking a Boland delivery to Mitchell Marsh at forward short leg, leaving India seven wickets down.
Australia applied pressure, with every fielder pressing the bat for the two remaining wickets. On the fifth day, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli were dismissed to the new ball, starting India’s troubles. Rahul was undone by Cummins’ superb delivery, Rohit’s flick was caught in the gully, and Kohli chased an unnecessary wide ball before lunch for an edge.
Pant and Jaiswal’s defiance gave India hope in the middle session. Late in the match, Australia tightened their control. Boland disqualified Jasprit Bumrah for nicking Smith at first slip, and Lyon trapped Mohammed Siraj leg before to win.
