The seeds of India's defeat were sown in Melbourne, where Bumrah had to bowl 53.2 overs -- 24.4 in the second innings on the back of 28.4 in the first innings. With just three days to recover, that was an inhuman burden on a bowler who had bowled 151 overs in this series.

Ask Prem how Day 3 went for India at Sydney Test

Two teams with fault lines in their batting, up against two of the best bowling sides in the game today -- the question that determines the outcome is, is your weakness greater than mine?

Ask Prem how Day 2 went for India at Sydney Test

A survivalist's mindset sees Indian batsmen fail again on the first day of the SCG Test.

Ask Prem how Day 1 went for India at Sydney Test

When you are defending to save a game, a loose delivery comes along and you suddenly opt to play an attacking shot, you are unlikely to hit as well as if you were playing your naturally aggressive game all along. First Pant, then Jaiswal, found that out the costly way, observes Prem Panicker.

Ask Prem how and why India lost the MCG Test!

At this point it is still anyone's game, with a draw also an option, says Prem Panicker in his analysis of Day 4.

It was a proper Test innings, it was of the highest class, and given the circumstances it came in, it was one of the best innings by an Indian batsman in recent memory, applauds Prem Panicker.

Join us on The Stumps Show at 1230 pm tomorrow, Saturday, December 28, 2024. Ask questions about Day 4 of the MCG Test via the chat interface -- which Prem Panicker will respond to in real time.

Those three wickets for six runs, in a manic final 15 minutes of the day's play, undid all the good work that had gone before, asserts Prem Panicker.

The four wickets that India prised out in the third session, on balance, swung the game back in their favour, says Prem Panicker .

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The good news is the team management has enough time on hand to think through the defeat and to find answers to the questions Adelaide has thrown up, around both its batting and bowling before the next test begins.

India did not respect the match situation, the playing conditions, and the bowlers, and they've paid a price for it.

At the end of the first day of play, it is the home side that is firmly in control, and India that is now reduced to chasing the game.

Prem Panicker previews the day-night Test at Adelaide.

Here's Prem Panicker's unique take on all the action from the fourth day of the 2024-2025 Border Gavaskar series.

Here's Prem Panicker's unique take on all the action from the third day of the 2024-2025 Border Gavaskar series.