India fail to cash in on Bumrah's brilliance

When accuracy, relentlessness script symphony

- Ashish Magotra

MELBOURNE: As we head into a rare fifth day of a Test match, the promise of what is to come is enticing. Very few sports give you the opportunity to go back, switch off and reset the way Test cricket does and that is what makes the second innings such a tantalising prospect. You can stare at a deficit but there is a clear opportunity to put all that behind and start anew.

At close on Day 4 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia were in command with a lead of 333 runs. The highest successful run chase at the MCG is the 332/7 by England way back in 1929. The highest successfully chased target at the MCG in this century is 231 but despite that the hosts resisted the urge to declare the innings.

Maybe they weren't ready to risk it or maybe they felt, having batted on the wicket all day, there wasn't enough there for the bowlers. Not yet. Either way, not having to bat late in the day would have pleased the Indian team. After long hours in the field, no batter wants to contend with a short session.

It was a topsy-turvy day largely due to the consistent brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah (24-7-56-4), who had the Aussies on the mat at 91/6. However, a mixture of dropped catches (three by Yashasvi Jaiswal alone) and grit saw Pat Cummins and Co end the day on 228/9. Mohammed Siraj, after a disappointing first innings, also impressed to take 3/66.

At the heart of the Aussie fight-back on Sunday was Marnus Labuschagne, who seemed to be back to his usual lucky self during the course of his vital 70. He was the only batter to play Bumrah with some degree of confidence and his runs went a long way towards pushing the Australia total into safe territory.

Given that memories of some famous chases by India still linger, the hosts were keeping a close eye on the wicket and what it was doing. Will Day 5 see it deteriorate to a point where batting will become tougher?