Virat Kohli's Men On The Verge Of A Special Triumph

Cummins stands tall even as teammates capitulate; Bumrah is once again the impact bowler, Jadeja picks up three

Judge the length, use your feet and play straight. And, wait for the loose deliveries.

That’s what Pat Cummins, heroic for Australia with the ball and bat, did at the crease. Sadly for the host, the specialist batsmen, lacking focus and will, let the side down by not consolidating on starts.

Tightening the grip

India, setting a daunting target of 399, and picking up wickets at regular intervals, is on the verge of winning the Test, taking an unassailable 2-1 lead with just the Sydney Test remaining, and retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

At stumps on day four at the MCG in the third Test, Australia was 258 for eight, needing 141 more for an improbable victory on a pitch of variable bounce and spots around the wicket.

Against an incisive Indian attack that ruthlessly exploited chinks, the Aussies needed to show greater fight. Only Cummins, who followed up his career-best six for 27 in the Indian second innings with an unbeaten 61 that dripped with character, showed heart and pride.

In the morning, the indomitable Cummins steamed in with the ball and combined pace and movement with control. Then, in a worthy all-round display, he applied himself with the bat.