Australia vs India | India tour of Australia, 2024/25 | 4th Test

Well then, this brings curtains on the Boxing Day Test which swung back and forth, but ultimately Australia emerged as the better side of the two. However, a lot of positives for the Indian side as well before they head to Sydney. But, a lot of key areas to address as well. Australia's aim now would be to build on this winning momentum and re-claim the BGT after a decade. It is a quick turnaround for the teams as the 5th and final Test will be played on January 3rd, Friday and the first ball will be bowled at 5 am IST (11.30 pm GMT, the previous day). Till then, we take your leave. Take care and cheers!

So what does this mean from the World Test Championship’s perspective? India's chances have gotten thinner with this heavy defeat and now, even if they win the last Test in this WTC cycle, they will have to depend on a lot of permutations and combinations of results. For Australia, it is simple - win Sydney and they qualify for the finale easily. And in another scenario, if Australia were to lose or draw one against India, they would need at least one win in Sri Lanka to stay ahead in the race.

Well, well, aren’t you entertained? A Boxing Day Test, in Melbourne, in front of more than 350,000-odd fans across five days, anticipations were high and this match certainly delivered way more than that. A sheer display of grit, valor and courageous fightback, with no side ready to concede. This brings us to the end of the 4th Test in this Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the series in favor of Australia 2-1. However, to ensure a series victory and claim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the hosts will have to win the 5th Test. And If Sydney ends in a draw or India’s win, the tourists will retain the trophy, for the fourth consecutive time. If Australia wins, the trophy will be theirs after 2013/14.

Pat Cummins the skipper of Australia is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH and receives the Johnny Mullagh medal as well for his brilliant all-round performance. He says that it was an amazing Test match and probably the best one has ever played so far. Also mentions that the crowd was amazing as well. Mentions that Marnus Labuschagne helped him out in the second innings big time and he is also happy to contribute with the bat. On Steven Smith, he says that it wasn't easy on the first day and to get above 400 was just terrific and that Smith's century really propelled them to that big score. On being asked about not declaring on the fourth day itself, Cummins reckons that they wanted to take an India victory out of the equation and that they had plenty of runs to play with. Adds that they put in a lot of hard work into their lower order batting and also worked a lot on how best to bowl to the opposition batters. Mentions that they were a bit behind the over-rate so had to bowl Travis Head. Again appreciates Smith and says that he showed how to bat on a wicket like this and was also brilliant in the field with some handy catches. Ends by saying that it is a happy dressing room and will savor this win before heading to Sydney.

The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma starts by saying that it is pretty disappointing and they wanted to fight till the end and simply couldn't do it. Adds that it is tough to just assess the last couple of sessions and had opportunities all throughout the Test match and let Australia get away after having them 90 or so for 6 and reckons they were just not good enough. Mentions that he went back and thought about what else they could have done and that last wicket partnership from Australia cost the game a bit as well and 340 wasn't going to be gunned down and Australia bowled perfectly. Adds that they want to find ways to win games but weren't able to set the platform at the start of the chase. On Nitish Kumar Reddy's knock, Rohit says that conditions here can get tough but Reddy showed great fight and technique and reckons he has all the tools to be successful in the future. On Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit says that they know the quality he possesses and he is someone who simply wants to come out and do well for the team and he just needs a bit more support from those around him.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

Travis Head now comes up for a quick chatter as well. He begins by saying that he had four and a half days off as he didn't do much with the bat. And also mentions that he is delighted to contribute with the ball. About the plan to get Pant, he mentions that they decided to have everyone at the fence and bowl a rank one and it worked out in their favor. He goes on to say that at Tea they didn't know where the Test was exactly heading and also mentions that this is one of the best Test matches he has ever played in his whole career.

Mitchell Starc is up for a flash interview with the broadcasters. He says that this win will be up there amongst the most memorable ones. Adds that the crowd was fantastic and both teams gave it their all. On his back issue, he says he will think about it tomorrow. Reckons that there is always belief in this group to go on and get the job done and that calmness it what got them here. Travis Head joins him and says that he watched the boys bat and couldn't do much so it was nice to contribute with the ball and with the catches. Adds that they had a chat and wanted to execute their plans and feel lucky it turned their way. Mentions that the atmosphere is electric and he is one of the ones trying to keep the emotions in check. Reckons that going into Tea they had no idea how things would pan out and it was one of the best Test matches to be a part of.

A gritty partnership then followed between Jaiswal and Pant initially steadied India's ship, with Jaiswal notching up another fifty while Pant shelved his usual fireworks for measured restraint. But just when stability seemed achieved, Pant's moment of an impetuous aerial pull triggered an avalanche. Australia pounced on the opening, and India crumbled spectacularly from 121/3 to 140/7, with Jaiswal too, falling to a leg-side strangle eventually. Boland and Lyon then made short work of the tail, as Australia ruthlessly closed out the game, winning this by 184 runs.

Tiring out the Indian bowlers on the fourth day, Australia decided to bat on and build on their overnight lead. However, it was Jasprit Bumrah who did the needful and wrapped up with a 5-fer in the very second over of the fifth day. India had a mountainous task of with a total 340 to chase. Scoring remained at a snail’s pace with both openers being watchful. But, call it a lapse of concentration or poor form, Rohit perished and Cummins was quick to snag a double whammy by removing KL Rahul in the same over. Virat resisted for a brief period but couldn’t prevent himself from nicking one to the slips yet again. As a result, India’s cautious start was blown away with them reeling at 33/3 at Lunch.