On Day 4 of the Melbourne Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Sunday, the Indian pacers captained by Jasprit Bumrah overwhelm the Australian batsmen in the opening inning.
Australia was 53/2 at lunchtime, with Steven Smith (2) and Marnus Labuschagne (20) undefeated at the wicket. The game is 158 runs ahead for the home team.
India’s innings was resumed on Sunday at 358/9, with Mohammed Siraj (2) and Reddy (105) at the wicket.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s incredible effort came to an end as the Australians grabbed the final wicket in the first session with just 21 balls, ending India’s first inning at 369.
It could have been worse, but Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar’s pivotal 127-run partnership enabled India recover and move to a stronger position.
After India’s first inning, the Australians were undoubtedly happy with their 105-run lead.
In their second inning, the Australians were opened by Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja. In the first few overs of the second inning, the pace attack from India posed a serious threat to the Australians.
Jasprit Bumrah was successful in the seventh over, dismissing Sam Konstas for eight runs off of eighteen balls.
At the beginning of their second inning, the Australian openers were only able to establish a partnership of 20 runs.
Khawaja was troubled later in the 19th over by Mohammed Siraj, who dismissed him for 21 runs off 65 balls.
The Indian bowling attack will aim to take early wickets in the second session to increase their confidence in the game after eliminating the two openers.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, on the other side, will be working to establish a collaboration and provide the guests with a clear goal.
On Day 3, Washington Sundar scored 50 off 162 balls with just one boundary, demonstrating incredible tenacity. Before Nathan Lyon removed Sundar soon after Drinks, he and Reddy’s combination accumulated 127 runs. India scored 348/8.
After Sachin Tendulkar and Rishabh Pant, Reddy became the third youngest Indian to make a first Test century in Australia with his century in 171 balls.
Nathan Lyon claimed two wickets, while Australian bowlers Pat Cummins and Scott Boland both claimed three.
Rain and poor light caused early stumps to be called.
Brief score: India 369 (Nitish Kumar Reddy 114, Yashasvi Jaiswal 82; Scott Boland 3/57) vs. Australia 474 & 53/2 (Steve Smith 140, Marnus Labuschagne 72, Jasprit Bumrah 1/18).