It all started with a familiar story: another moment of impulsiveness from Rishabh Pant. India, chasing 340, had clawed back from a precarious 33/3 just before lunch to bat through an entire session without losing another wicket. Yashasvi Jaiswal looked solid, better than in Perth, with Pant anchoring the partnership alongside him.
When the pair resumed play at 3:30 PM under the fading MCG light and in front of a record-breaking crowd, it felt like Test cricket at its finest. The senior batters had fallen once more, and the responsibility of saving the day fell squarely on the shoulders of the younger generation.
Jaiswal took the lead, playing with confidence, while Pant reined in his instincts. The left-hander, known for his aggressive style, had endured a bruising spell, facing over 100 balls and managing just two boundaries. This restraint seemed intentional, especially after criticism following his reckless dismissal two days earlier. Even Sunil Gavaskar had vented his frustration on live commentary, calling it “stupid, stupid, stupid.”
But restraint only lasts so long. In the 59th over, Pant attempted to dispatch a long hop from Travis Head but mistimed it completely, skying the ball to Mitch Marsh at long-on. It was an unnecessary shot at a crucial moment, leaving India with seven wickets in hand, including three tailenders, and 34 overs still to bat.
As Pant trudged off, he looked visibly frustrated, tossing his glove in the air and failing to catch it before walking back amid cheers from the jubilant Australian crowd. His dismissal signaled the start of India’s collapse.
Nathan Lyon Calls Virat Kohli-Yashasvi Jaiswal Run Out One of the Best Barbecues
Ravindra Jadeja fell six balls later, edging behind off Scott Boland. Centurion Nitish K Reddy followed suit, dismissed by Nathan Lyon after just six deliveries. Suddenly, India was reeling at 140/7, with only Washington Sundar and Jaiswal left to mount any resistance.
Jaiswal, inching toward a century, showed glimpses of patience but fell victim to Pat Cummins, pulling awkwardly. Though initially given not out, the third umpire overturned the decision based on visual evidence, sparking outrage among the crowd. The chants of “cheater, cheater” echoed through the stadium as Jaiswal walked off for 84.
Explaining the decision, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat cited the visible deflection off the gloves. Former umpire Simon Taufel, analyzing the call on Channel 7, defended the process, saying, “When there’s a clear deflection off the bat, there’s no need for further technology.”
The drama didn’t end there. Akash Deep’s dismissal stirred another DRS controversy after he was caught off the pad at short leg. Although the late spike and a red mark on the bat confirmed the decision, emotions remained high on the field.
From that point, Australia only had to clean up the tail. Boland dismissed Bumrah, and Lyon trapped Siraj to seal the win. The Australians erupted in celebration, swarming Lyon as they claimed a dominant 184-run victory—Australia’s first Test win over India at the MCG since 2011.
With the win, they now lead the series 2-1, leaving India with everything to play for in Sydney. For a match played in front of over 73,000 fans on the final day, and a record-breaking 373,534 across the Test, it was a fitting end to a contest that showcased Test cricket’s enduring appeal.
