🏏Australia vs India, 4th Test: Melbourne, 26 - 30 Dec 2024: Day 5 🏏 - Page 83

Raghu: "Absolutely hate to say it but did we just see the 3rd last test innings for Virat and Rohit?" -- Some of you have been asking if it's their last innings. Not going to comment, but I feel for them.

And just like that, India are three down, having got through the first hour unscathed. And just like that, Australia have two full sessions in which to take the remaining seven wickets. Starc really deserved that wicket for how well he'd been bowling up to that point, and Cummins was magnificent as always. Everything has gone to plan for Australia, but they'll know they'll still have to work hard after lunch, because the old ball hasn't done as much on this surface so far, and India have quite a bit of batting to come. But it's pretty clear that two of the four results are now out of question.

Day 5, Lunch: Australia will be mighty pleased heading into the break. It was looking good for India with the bat after they only took 10 balls to take the last Australian wicket this morning. Rohit had shown good composure and Jaiswal had dug in as India saw off the first hour unscathed. It was slow going for the visitors but they were resolute. But, a double wicket-maiden from Cummins changed the momentum. First, he got rid of Rohit with one that straightened in the channel as the Indian skipper got a leading edge and Marsh at gully took a brilliant reflex catch. Soon after, Rahul didn't show good judgement as he was late to get his bat inside the line and edged one to Khawaja at first slip. Kohli came in and did well to leave deliveries outside off stump initially like he did in the first innings. India then actually went into a shell with Jaiswal and Kohli both adopting a circumspect approach. Just at the stroke of lunch, Kohli went chasing after a delivery outside off which he could have easily left and nicked off in the slip cordon. Australia are right on top. It will require a rearguard effort from India if they are to save this match. An Indian win can be more or less ruled out. Join us for the second session in about 35 minutes...

India did well in the first half of that morning session but lost three wickets in the second half. Their gameplan has been to draw this Test which might not suit Pant who has walked out with Jaiswal. Starc will complete his over.

Ind --33/3

Boland to Jaiswal, FOUR, and again.. Repeat of the previous shot. Short and Jaiswal has the space to free his hands, slashes it hard and slices it over the gully region

Boland to Jaiswal, FOUR, short and width on offer, Jaiswal throws his bat on the cut and places it behind square on the off-side

Lokesh: "Is it likely that all the remaining 65 overs will be bowled? Any signs of bad weather?" All looks good/or bad

AUS474 & 234

IND (28.5 ov, T:340) 369 & 41/3

Day 5 - Session 2: India need 299 runs.

CRR: 1.42

• Min. Ov. Rem: 63.1

• Last 10 ov (RR): 16/1 (1.60)

India 2nd Innings

29.2 Boland to Jaiswal, FOUR runs

Flayed away! Width outside off and he doesn't miss out, that's a very powerful square cut

India did well in the first half of that morning session but lost three wickets in the second half. Their gameplan has been to draw this Test which might not suit Pant who has walked out with Jaiswal. Starc will complete his over.

Another 4 , Boland to Jaiswal, FOUR, three cuts shot and three boundaries for Jaiswal against Boland. All have come after Carey has come up to the stumps. Short and outside off,