The 2024 Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) delivered a nail-biting conclusion as Australia emerged victorious over India by 184 runs, taking a crucial 2-1 lead in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. This Test match, filled with twists and turns, showcased the resilience and skill of both teams over five intense days of cricket.
Day 1: Australia Builds a Strong Foundation
The opening day saw Australia win the toss and elect to bat first. The hosts capitalized on this decision, putting up a solid performance with the bat. Innings was marked by a fighting knock by Steve Smith who scored 140 runs and showed great composure and grit. Sam Konstas, the 19 year old debutant in this match started with a bang by targeting Indian bowlers especially star pacer Jasprit Bumrah and scored quick 60 runs of 65 balls. Marnus also scored a fighting 72 and Australia managed to post a competitive total of 474 in their first innings. This sizeable score put immediate pressure on the Indian team and set the tone for the rest of the match.
Day 2: India’s Batting Response
India began their first innings on Day 2, facing the challenge of Australia’s imposing total. Indian Captain Rohit Sharma again failed to contribute with bat and fell for 3 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a fighting 82 runs but was unlucky and got run out in a mixup with Virat Kohli who also got out immediately after the run out incident with Yashasvi. By the end of the day, India had made steady progress, though they still trailed significantly behind Australia’s first innings score.
Day 3: Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Heroic Century
The third day belonged to India’s Nitish Kumar Reddy, who emerged as the hero for the visitors. In a display of both stoic defense and aggressive strokeplay, Reddy crafted a magnificent maiden international century scoring 114 runs of 189 balls. His innings was crucial in India’s fightback, bringing them closer to Australia’s total. Washington Sundar also contributed with a valuable half-century, forming a 127-run partnership with Reddy if 271 balls. Despite these efforts, India still found themselves trailing as bad light and rain curtailed play towards the end of the day.
Day 4: Jasprit Bumrah’s Brilliance and Australia’s Resilience
The fourth day witnessed a masterclass in fast bowling from India’s Jasprit Bumrah. He tore through Australia’s middle order, claiming figures of 4-56 and reaching the milestone of 200 Test wickets. Bumrah’s spell included the crucial wickets of Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Alex Carey, triggering a dramatic middle-order collapse that saw Australia slump from 80-2 to 91-6.
However, Australia showcased their depth and fighting spirit. Marnus Labuschagne (70) and captain Pat Cummins (41) forged a crucial 57-run partnership, steadying the ship for the hosts. The Australian tail continued to wag, with Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland frustrating the Indian bowlers with an unbroken last-wicket stand.By stumps on Day 4, Australia had reached 228-9, extending their overall lead to 333 runs. This set up a tantalizing final day, with all three results still possible.
Day 5: Australia’s Bowling Triumph
The last day of the Test match proved to be a rollercoaster. India, chasing an unlikely target of 340, started with hope. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant batted through the second session, taking India to 112-3 at tea and raising the possibility of a draw or even an improbable victory. However, the final session saw a dramatic turn of events. Australia’s bowlers, led by Pat Cummins, produced a spectacular performance. The dismissal of Pant triggered a collapse, with India losing their last seven wickets for just 34 runs in 20.3 overs. Jaiswal’s resilient innings of 84 came to an end at the hands of Cummins, who finished with impressive figures of 3-28. Nathan Lyon delivered the final blow, trapping Mohammed Siraj lbw to seal Australia’s 184-run victory. The win sparked jubilant celebrations among the Australian team and supporters at the MCG.
Key Takeaways and Looking Ahead
This Boxing Day Test will be remembered for its fluctuating fortunes and the high quality of cricket on display. Australia’s ability to bounce back from challenging positions and India’s fighting spirit, particularly through Reddy’s century and Bumrah’s bowling, were highlights of the match. The result leaves India in a must-win situation heading into the final Test in Sydney, starting on Friday. They need a victory to level the series and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they have held since 2017. As cricket fans eagerly anticipate the series finale, this Boxing Day Test has once again proven why it remains one of the most cherished traditions in the cricketing calendar, delivering drama, skill, and excitement in equal measure.
India’s diminishing WTC Final Chances
India’s chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final have been significantly diminished following their 184-run loss to Australia in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne. This defeat has dropped India’s points percentage (PCT) from 55.89 to 52.78, placing them third in the WTC standings. With South Africa already securing their spot in the final, India now faces an uphill battle for the remaining position. To keep their hopes alive, India must win the final Test in Sydney, which would increase their PCT to 55.26. However, even with a victory, India’s fate is no longer entirely in their hands. They would need Australia to falter in their remaining matches, including their series against Sri Lanka, to have a chance at qualification. A draw or loss in Sydney would effectively eliminate India from contention for their third consecutive WTC final appearance.
