AUS VS IND
In the fourth match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), India suffered a crushing 184-run defeat to Australia. This result has given Australia a 2-1 lead in the series and left India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final in jeopardy.
On the final day, India faced a steep target of 340 runs. At tea, the team stood at a promising 112/3. However, a dramatic collapse in the last session saw the team lose seven wickets for just 34 runs, ending their innings in disappointment. The turning point came when Rishabh Pant was dismissed, triggering the downfall of the Indian batting lineup.
After the match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma expressed his disappointment, stating the team intended to fight till the end but couldn’t capitalize on crucial opportunities. He acknowledged that the team let Australia regain control in pivotal moments and highlighted the difficulty of performing under such challenging conditions.
Speculation has emerged that Rohit Sharma may announce his retirement from Test cricket after the next match, set to take place in Sydney on January 3. The final game will be decisive as Team India seeks redemption in the series and hopes to keep their WTC ambitions alive.
Highlights of the Melbourne Test Match (BGT 2024-25)
Match Outcome:
- Australia defeated India by a significant margin of 184 runs.
- With this win, Australia leads the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 2-1
- India’s Performance:
- Target set for India: 340 runs on the final day.
- At the tea break, India was 112/3.
- Post tea, India collapsed, losing 7 wickets for just 34 runs, ending the match in defeat.
- Key Turning Points:
- Rishabh Pant’s dismissal triggered the batting collapse.
- Despite fighting intentions, India failed to capitalize on opportunities.
- Post-Match Reaction:
- Captain Rohit Sharma expressed disappointment, stating the team aimed to fight till the end but couldn’t.
- He highlighted missed opportunities and admitted to letting Australia regain control during critical moments.
- Speculations:
- Reports suggest Rohit Sharma may consider retiring from Test cricket after the Sydney match.
- Next Match:
- India faces Australia in the final match of the series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) starting January 3rd.
- The team’s performance will be crucial in deciding its prospects for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final.