Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland frustrated India, stitching 55 runs for the last wicket just when the visitors looked like they'd restrict Australia to a lead under 300. But the last-wicket partnership might have increased the chances of India saving the Test.
India had been chasing the MCG Test from the get go. After Australia amassed 474 in the first innings and pegged India back to 221-7, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar brought them back into the game, keeping the deficit down to 105.
Then when Australia threatened to run away with the game in the second innings with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith looking in control at 80-2, it was Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah who gave India hope, reducing Australia to 91-6. The Australian lower order then wagged, as the next three wickets cost India 82 runs.
When the ninth wicket fell at the score of 173 with the lead at 278, there was an hour-and-a-half to go till stumps. India would have fancied their chances of a victory. But the 55-run, 17.5-over last-wicket stand has taken the lead to 333, making an Indian victory look increasingly improbable.
However, it could also have reduced Australia's chances of victory. Here's how.
Lesser number of overs to bowl out India
The one obvious side-effect of the last-wicket partnership is that it has reduced the time Australia will get to bowl at India. Ninety-six overs are scheduled to be bowled on day five, not accounting for the change of innings. While that's still a good enough period to take ten Indian wickets, Australia could easily have had a spell of around 15 overs on the fourth evening and taken out a wicket or two off the struggling Indian top order.
