An in-foreign-conditions sensational day so far for India, Bumrah and Siraj combining well in their pursuit for crucial wickets before lunch at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Day 4 of the fourth Test against Australia. Aussies reached 53/2, extending their lead by 158 runs, while Marnus Labuschagne, not out at 20*, and Steve Smith, unbeaten at 2*, held the crease at lunch.
Earlier, India folded up for 369 in their first innings. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s patient 114 played a vital role in stabilizing India after they resumed on 358 for 9. The knock from Reddy came at a time when India needed resilience, and his contribution, along with lower-order partnerships, helped India reduce the deficit in a match that remained evenly poised.
Bumrah Gets Revenge on Konstas
Bumrah had the opportunity to exact revenge on debutant Sam Konstas for his strong first-innings performance. Konstas had inflicted damage on Bumrah during his innings of 60 in the first innings, but on Sunday, the Indian pacer bowled a brilliant delivery that nipped back off the seam to dismiss him for just 8.
Bumrah’s celebrations were emotive as he flapped his arms and mocked Konstas, who had earlier tried to fire up the crowd after his strong first-innings knock. There were mixed reactions from the crowd—while some Indian fans booed, others chanted “Kohli! Kohli!”—a reference to the incident between Konstas and former Indian captain Virat Kohli, which had led to a penalty for Kohli earlier in the match.
“I felt good to get the breakthrough,” Bumrah said afterward. “The important thing was to take early wickets to stay in the game.”
Siraj’s Early Breakthroughs
Mohammed Siraj followed suit with the crucial removal of Usman Khawaja for 21. Khawaja was bowled through bat and pad by a delivery that found the gap. Siraj’s celebration was equally charged, with a “shhh” gesture to the crowd that had given him much stick throughout his appearances in the series, especially since his fiery send-off to Travis Head in Adelaide.
Siraj’s wicket was a welcome one for India after an earlier opportunity was missed when Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped a catch at leg gully. Khawaja was on just two at the time, and Bumrah had shown his frustration very evidently.
Siraj said, “It was nice to get the breakthrough. All the distractions are aside; it has been a tough series, and we are all ready for this fight.”
Reddy’s Century Anchors India’s Recovery
The day’s play had started with India finishing their first innings at 369, with Reddy’s 114 being the standout performance. Reddy, starting the day on 103, added a further 11 runs before he was dismissed by Nathan Lyon, caught in the deep by Mitchell Starc.
An entertaining century, made off 171 balls and laced with 11 fours and a six, was a special knock from Reddy. More than anything, it was an emotional innings as Reddy played in front of his family in Melbourne. By Australian standards, the crowd appreciated his determination, applauding his effort as he walked off the field.
Reddy’s knock came at a critical time for India, which had lost both Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja early on Day 3. Sharing a record eighth-wicket partnership with Washington Sundar, Reddy sliced down Australia’s substantial first-innings lead of 311 to 116 runs by the end of the third day. It was a big century, one that managed to lift India back into the game, thus giving them a fighting chance.
“The century meant a lot to me,” said Reddy after his dismissal. “It was an emotional moment, and I am proud of the fight that we put in as a team.”
The morning session also witnessed controversy when Australia appealed for a low catch from Siraj’s bat off a delivery from Pat Cummins. The third umpire gave his verdict, ruling that the ball hadn’t carried to Smith, and an angry Cummins was visibly frustrated after the review was turned down. “It was a tough call, but we have to look ahead,” Cummins said. “We are in a fantastic position, and we have got to keep going.”
As Australia head into the second session with a lead of 158 runs, the game is again finely poised. India must continue the fight with the ball and hope their batsmen can counter the Australian attack once again in the second innings. With Bumrah and Siraj bowling well and Reddy’s century giving India momentum, the contest at the MCG promises to be an exciting finish to a hard-fought series.
