AUSTRALIA is one test away from reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy back off India following a remarkable fifth day in the penultimate Test. After a heavy loss in Test 1 followed by a dominant win and then draw in Tests 2 and 3, Test 4 looked to be headed for another draw before the home nation skittled the middle and lower order to destroy any chance of India producing a record fourth innings chase.

The 340 set for the visitors on the final day would be the largest chase down total in Australia-India history, surpassing that of the Aussies’ incredible 339 chase way back in 1977 at the WACA. The job was made more difficult for the Indians when Australia opted to continue batting for just seven minutes on day five.

While more disruptive to preparations than anything else, essentially tailenders Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland added a further six runs to the total to push it past that fourth innings total nearly 50 years ago. However in the end, the Aussies wrapped up the innings with plenty to spare, celebrating a 184-run win with a 7-34 purple patch in 28.3 overs.

Skipper Pat Cummins tore through the opponent with 3-28 to take the top three batsmen including the only in-form Indian batter in Yashasvi Jaiswal who scored 166 runs across his nation’s two innings with Nitish Kumar Reddy (114) and Washington Sundar (50) the other two knocks of note from innings one.

However it was all about the Australian bowling attack as Boland turned from producing the last few runs in the morning, to breaking Indian hearts in the evening. He took 3-39 in an inspired bowling display, once again teaming up with Lyon (2-37).

The fifth day was not without controversy however, with Jaiswal’s dismissal a huge talking point on the fifth day with the decision going to DRS. The top-scoring Indian batsman had survived one on 31, but despite the visitors frustrated by what the Real Time Snicko suggested, Jaiswal was sent back to the pavilion.

Australia set up the massive run chase off the back of a huge first innings highlighted by former captain Steve Smith‘s 140 off 197 balls. He and Marnus Labuschagne (72 off 145) were the top scorers, but few could deny that teenage debutant Sam Konstas was the one to watch. He destroyed the world’s best bowler Jaspit Bumrah in a spell that looked straight out of ‘Ricky Ponting 2005‘ Playstation game, with some fearless shotmaking.

He ended with 60 off 65 in the first innings, before Bumrah sought his revenge in innings two, bowling the 19-year-old for just eight runs. Labuschagne would go on to be the pick of the bowlers with another 70 off 139, while Cummins and Lyon both scored 41s to stretch out the second innings total. Australia looked in trouble at 6-91, but made another 153 runs, including a 10th wicket partnership of 61.

Despite getting smacked around by Konstas on day one, Bumrah was clearly the best of the visitors, taking nine wickets across the two innings, and being the key thorn in Australia’s side. Had it not been for the star bowler – who ticked over 70 wickets for the year – then the damage would no doubt have been a lot greater.

In the end, Cummins was awarded Player of the Match for his two hauls of three wickets, and important 41 runs in the second dig. His decision to keep India in the field for an extra seven minutes did not impact the result, and now he looms as taking back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in his captaincy.

India has held the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since winning the 2016-17 series, while retaining it for the past three editions. All Australia needs to do to regain it, is to not lose the fifth test in Sydney starting Friday. A draw or a win will hand the Aussies success, while an Indian victory means the sides finish the 2024/25 series with two wins each and therefore the current holder retains the trophy.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Australia won by 184 runs
POTM: Pat Cummins (Australia)
BAT FLIP: Australia won and elected to bat

FIRST INNINGS

Australia 474
Steve Smith 140 (197), Marnus Labuschagne 72 (145), Sam Konstas (60 (65)
Jasprit Bumrah 4-99 (28.4), Ravindra Jadeja 3-78 (23)

India 369
Nitish Kumar Reddy 114 (189), Yashasvi Jaiswal 82 (118), Washington Sundar 50 (162)
Scott Boland 3-57 (27), Pat Cummins 3-89 (29), Nathan Lyon 3-96 (28.3)

SECOND INNINGS

Australia 234
Marnus Labuschagne 70 (139), Nathan Lyon 41 (55), Pat Cummins 41 (90)
Jasprit Bumrah 5-57 (24.4), Mohammed Siraj 3-70 (23)

India 155
Yashasvi Jaiswal 84 (208), Rishabh Pant 30 (104)
Pat Cummins 3-28 (18), Scott Boland 3-39 (16), Nathan Lyon 2-37 (20.1)

TEAMS

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep