Melbourne (Web Desk): Australia completed a dominant 184-run victory over India in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Set an improbable target of 340, India was bowled out for just 155, collapsing spectacularly in the final session.
The dramatic collapse leaves India with no margin for error heading into the series decider in Sydney, where they must win to keep the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India appeared to have weathered the storm in the middle session, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (84) and Rishabh Pant holding firm after tea at 112-3.
But once Pant fell to an ill-advised shot off Travis Head for 30, the Indian batting disintegrated.
Jaiswal, who had faced 208 balls and played a resolute knock, was the next to go in controversial circumstances. He was initially given not out after a caught-behind appeal to a hook shot, but the decision was overturned when TV replays suggested the ball had changed direction, even though no sound was detected by the stump mic.
The wickets tumbled in quick succession as Australia tightened its grip. Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy fell cheaply, while Cummins (3-28) played a pivotal role in dismantling the Indian middle order.
Scott Boland (3-39) claimed another key scalp, and the tail failed to offer any resistance.
Jasprit Bumrah’s second duck of the match and Mohammed Siraj’s lbw dismissal to Nathan Lyon (2-37) rounded off India’s collapse. Washington Sundar (5 not out) was left stranded as India crumbled for just 155 with 12.5 overs remaining.
Earlier in the day, India’s top order was rocked in the first session. Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli all fell for single-digit scores, leaving India reeling at 40-3.
Pat Cummins, who had earlier been a standout with the bat, scoring a vital 90 runs, finished with six wickets for the match to cap an exceptional all-round performance.
With the win, Australia is now just one match away from securing the series, while India’s hopes of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy rest on a must-win effort in Sydney.
