4th Test Updates: Australia down India by 184 runs

Mon, 30 December 2024

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11:57

Australia thump India; take 2-1 series lead

India 155-all out (79.1 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

All Australian fielders around the bat for Sundar batting against Lyon including four close-in catchers on both sides.

A couple of fielders go back to stop the single off the last two balls as Sundar is happy to watchfully play out a maiden over from the spinner.

In the next over, Bumrah blocks Boland on the off-side just short of the fielder at silly point.

The pacer strikes a couple of balls later as Bumrah gets the edge and Smith dives forward at second slip to pouch a stunning low catch.

The TV umpire wants to have a look but Smith's fingers are underneath the ball.

Australia just one wicket away from victory!

Mohammed Siraj gets a few boos as he walks out to the middle. He flicks Boland off his pads past leg gully for a single.

Lyon finishes off the match with the wicket of Siraj, who is given out leg before wicket.

The Australians are celebrating while Siraj takes the review.

There is no bat involved and the ball is going on to strike the leg stump as the decision stays.

India are bowled out for 155 in their second innings to lose by a big margin of 184 runs.

India collapsed in the post-tea session, losing seven wickets for 25.1 overs. The Pant proved to be the turning point after he holed out Travis Head to the fielder at long-on. Jaiswal top-scored for India while Pant made 30 -- the only two Indian batters to score in double digits.

Cummins led from the front, bowling his heart out to finish with wonderful figures of 3/28, while Scott Boland claimed 3/39 and Nathan Lyon took 2/37.

11:40

India 8 down; Aus close in on win

India 154-8 (77 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Boland comes back into the attack. He has a confident shout for catch at short leg turned down against Akash Deep, who seems to have missed the flick.

Australia take the DRS and manage to overturn the decision.

This time third umpire Sharfuddoula takes the evidence of the Snicko, which shows a clear spike as the ball passes the bat.

Akash Deep walks back for 7 as India slip to 150/8.

Boland slips down the leg side to new batter Jasprit Bumrah, who clips it fine but can't beat leg gully.

Another one down the leg side as Bumrah misses the glance but it slides even further for four leg byes.

He ducks under a bouncer before keeping out the last ball.

15 overs left in the final hour with Australia two wickets away from victory.

11:30

Jaiswal out for 84; India 7 down

India 148-7 (75 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Akash Deep is struck on the arm as Cummins gets some extra bounce before taking a single on the off-side.

Sundar continues to stonewall from the other end as he keeps out the last three balls.

Lyon is back in the attack. Akash Deep defends the first ball and leaves the next followed by another block.

He leans forward to defend but the ball turns sharply to hit the pads and pushes the last ball past Head under the helmet at silly point.

Sundar pushes the first ball to mid-on for a single before Cummins bowls a cracking yorker which goes through Akash Deep's legs but is ruled as a four, maybe there was a thin inside edge.

17 overs left in the day.

11:26

Controversy over Jaiswal dismissal

A screengrab of Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal, who was given out caught behind off Pat Cummins on the review.

India 140-7 (71 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Some controversy over Jaiswal's dismissal as there was nothing on the Snicko but the deflection was quite visible as third umpire Sharfuddoula of Bangladesh ruled it in Australia's favour.

"In my view, that decision was out. The third umpire did make the correct decision in the end," Simon Taufel tells 7Cricket on the process in using DRS, and why he believes the right decision was made

"They can make of it what they like. That clearly hit the glove. As far as I'm concerned, there's no argument whatsoever," said Ricky Ponting.

11:14

Jaiswal out for 84; India 7 down

India 140-7 (71 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Australia have a confident shout for caught behind turned down against Jaiswal.

He went for the pull shot against Cummins but the ball seems to have come off the gloves as Australia take the review.

There is a clear deflection off the gloves and even though there is nothing on the Snicko the TV umpire overturns the on-field decision.

Jaiswal is given out caught behind on the review as Jaiswal is given out after a good knock of 84 from 208 balls.

A big blow for India's hopes of saving the Test as they slip to 140/7 in the 71st over.

India have 21 overs to survive with Australia needing just three wickets for victory.

Cummins has been the standout bowler for Australia, picking up 3/22 in 16 overs including the big wickets of Jaiswal, Rohit and Rahul.

11:08

Reddy out for 1 as India collapse

India 138-6 (70 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Cummins is back into the attack. Jaiswal seems to have cut down on his extravagant strokeplay in the last few overs. He played a few rash shots against Boland before a message was sent from the dressing room.

Jaiswal is batting much responsibly as India hope to battle out the remaining hour and half and save the Test.

Cummins bowls a couple of back of length deliveries to Jaiswal, who defends, before he ducks under a bouncer.

Starc from the other end. Sundar bringing some calm to the proceedings as he shows some solid defence. He is not chasing the wide deliveries but ignoring the bouncers and blocks the full ball with a straight bat.

10:55

Reddy out for 1 as India collapse

India 138-6 (68 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Lyon has suddenly looked quite threatening. Sundar leans forward to defend but gets the edge which falls short of Smith at slip.

The left-hander at his watchful best as he plays out a maiden over from Lyon.

In the next over, Jaiswal clips Boland through square leg for two runs before he drives an overpitched delivery through the vacant mid-off for a four -- the first boundary of the session for India.

Sundar won't give his wicket away easily as he watchfully keeps out the over from Lyon.

10:40

Reddy out for 1 as India collapse

India 132-6 (65 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

A lovely delivery from Lyon to get rid of Reddy for 1. The right-hander defends as he plays inside the line with the ball holding its line to take the edge and Smith takes a good catch at slip.

India in big trouble on 130/6.

Washington Sundar hits Lyon into Sam Konstats at silly point but the ball falls safely on the off-side.

Australia went wicketless in the post-lunch session but have stormed back with three wickets for 20 runs in eight overs of the post-tea session as India collapse from 112/3 to 132/6.

Jaiswal playing some really loose shots when the situation demands patience.

He throws his bat at a wide delivery from Boland and is beaten before he plays and misses again trying to go for the big drive through the off-side.

10:32

Jadeja out for 2; India in trouble

India 130-5 (63 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Boland back into the attack. He strikes second ball with the wicket of Jadeja, who is done in by the extra bounce as he is caught behind for two.

The ball kicked off quite sharply as Jadeja looking to defend was hit on the gloves and wicketkeeper Carey completed an easy catch.

Nitish Reddy, who scored a century in the first innings, walks in at No 7. He defends a full delivery on the off-side before he somehow fends the next ball, which again bounces quite sharply, on the off-side.

He clips the fifth ball for a single to get off the mark and Jaiswal slaps the last ball past point for two runs.

India have a minimum of 29 overs to survive in the final session. Jaiswal will be key to India's hopes of drawing the match, he has looked good on 76 from 185 balls.

10:23

Pant out for 30; India 4 down

India 126-4 (62 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

The move to bowl Head has worked perfectly for Australia as he has not only boosted the over rate but also struck with the important wicket of Pant.

India sticking to the normal as Ravindra Jadeja comes in at No 6 ahead of Nitish Reddy.

Lyon also rushing through the covers conceding just a single in his 13th over.

Jadeja is known to be quite solid with his defence when the situation calls for. He gets off the mark with a single off Head on the off-side and Jaiswal takes one off the next followed by another run to the former.

Australia have a short leg and silly point along with a slip for Lyon against new batter Jadeja, who watchfully plays out a maiden over.

10:16

Pant out for 30; India 4 down

India 121-4 (59 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Head drops short but he has protection in the deep as Jaiswal cuts the first ball to deep point and Pant pulls the next to long-on for two singles in a row.

Jaiswal eases the third ball down to long-off for another run and Pant plays out the last three balls.

Lyon rushes through his 12th over, conceding just a single after five dots in a row to Jaiswal.

Part-timer Head makes the breakthrough and ends India's hopes with the big wicket of Pant.

The left-hander pulls the short ball but fails to get in the gap as Marsh running to his left at long-on takes another good catch.

Pant walks back after scoring 30 from 104 balls as India are reduced to 121/4 in the 59th over.

10:06

Jaiswal, Pant get India back on track

India 116-3 (56 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Everything to play for in the final session at MCG. Ravi Shastri believes India will be happy to play for a draw and unlike at The Gabba in 2021, they won't attempt to snatch an unlikely victory.

Surprise move as part-time spinner Travis Head starts off with the ball in the post-tea session. Australia are three overs behind the required over rate and they want to make up for it and not lose WTC points.

The field is spread around as Jaiswal hits the first ball to long-off for a single and Pant takes one off the next.

Jaiswal picks a single off the third ball before Pant keeps out the last three balls.

Lyon from the other end. Jaiswal plays and misses as he tries the cut shot before he blocks the next.

Jaiswal takes a single to midwicket before Pant is beaten by some sharp turn and the same last ball as the left-hander plays and misses again.

09:43

Jaiswal, Pant take India to 112/3 at tea

India 112-3 (54 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Starc strays down the leg side as Pant glances it fine off his pads for a four. He avoids the bouncer before taking one to thirdman as he edges the slower ball.

Jaiswal blocks the last ball back to the bowler with a straight bat.

Part-time medium pacer Marnus Labuschagne comes into the attack, to bowl the final over of the session.

He tries to pepper Pant with short balls, who is happy to duck under them. Not one delivery pitched as Pant easily keeps out the last over of the session.

India enjoyed a good session with the bat as they go into the tea break on 112/3 in 54 overs.

Jaiswal revived India after a few early wickets, stroking 63 not out from 159 balls, while Pant played a patient knock of 28 from 93 balls.

The duo put on an unbroken stand of 79 from 169 balls, batting out the entire post-lunch session.

India need 228 runs from a minimum of 38 overs left in the final session at exactly per over.

09:33

Jaiswal, Pant take India past 100

India 107-3 (52 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Starc comes back into the attack after just one over from Head. He is struggling with a stiff back but has has done well to bowl his 13th over of the second innings.

Jaiswal uses his feet to block Starc straight back followed by a leave and the same next ball.

Jaiswal flicks the fourth ball through midwicket for two runs before he plays out the last two balls.

Lyon continues as Pant whips it from outside the line of off-stump but to the fielder at midwicket.

Lyon a trifle short as Pant cuts it to deep point for one and Jaiswal plays the same shot but to the fielder in the covers followed by two dots.

09:25

Jaiswal, Pant take India past 100

India 104-3 (50 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Jaiswal is keen to dominate against Lyon but the experienced spinner is up to the task. The left-hander is beaten as he tries to play the cut shot before hitting the next to deep point for a single.

Pant punches the third ball in the gap on the off-side for one and Jaiswal safely keeps out the last three balls.

Pant getting some treatment on his shoulder after the blow from Cummins in the previous over. He didn't expect the short ball and took his eyes off to be struck on the right shoulder.

Part-time spinner Travis Head comes into the attack with Australia behind on the over rate.

Pant takes a single to bring up India's 100 in the 49th over. Jaiswal clips the next ball to midwicket for another run before the former defends it with a straight bat.

Pant punches Head to deep point for a single before Jaiswal keeps out the last ball.

Lyon also showing some urgency to send down a few quick overs before tea. He concedes two singles off the first two balls followed by four dots in a row to Pant.

Jaiswal has made 61 from 149 balls, while Pant has shown a lot of restraint to be unbeaten on 22 from 79 balls at a strike rate of 27.

The duo have now put on 71 runs from 145 balls for the fourth wicket to get India back on track.

They still need another 236 runs from 42 overs for victory.

09:16

Jaiswal, Pant revive India

India 97-3 (47 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Boland back into the attack to replace Cummins. Pant is batting way out of his crease to counter the swing as he carefully keeps out a maiden over from the pace bowler.

Jaiswal played three loose shots in Lyon's previous over. This time he watchfully blocks the first ball on the off-side and cuts the next to sweeper cover for a single and Pant does the same off the last ball for another run.

Just one over for Boland in the spell as Cummins comes back. He bowls a sharp rising short ball which strikes Pant on the shoulder as he continues to block.

While Jaiswal has looked to play a few shots, Pant has curbed down on his freeflowing approach and is trying to hold one end up.

09:02

Jaiswal hits fifty to rally India

India 95-3 (44 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Jaiswal cuts the short ball from Cummins for a single to deep point and Pant watchfully defends the rest of the over.

Jaiswal has grown in confidence. He punches Lyon through the covers for a couple of runs before he attempts a lofted shot over the off-side but is beaten by the turn.

He tries the same shot next ball but this time it comes off the inside half of the bat.

Jaiswal has lost his focus. He looks to smash Lyon through the off-side but is beaten for the third ball in a row.

Not good batting from the youngster under the circumstances.

08:53

Jaiswal hits fifty to rally India

India 92-3 (42 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

India have scored 53 runs from 14 overs in the post-lunch session at nearly four per over.

Pant's arrival has given India some much-needed momentum and Jaiswal has also batted a bit more freely.

A good bouncer directed at the body from Cummins as Pant sways out of the way but the skipper has overstepped for a no-ball.

In the next over, Jaiswal pushes Lyon on the leg side for one before Pant cuts the spinner's half-tracker for three runs through the covers.

Jaiswal takes one to long-on and Pant blocks the next with a straight bat and does the same last ball.

08:43

Jaiswal hits fifty to rally India

Yashasvi Jaiswal

India 86-3 (40 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Some sharp turn for Lyon as Pant is beaten on the outside edge in his attempt to block. He learns from his mistake as he avoids the next two balls.

He pokes and is beaten again off the last ball with Lyon getting good turn and bounce.

Even if Pant and Jaiswal are batting freely, the target is far out of reach for India. They need 263 runs in 54 overs at an asking rate of 4.87.

Jaiswal has got carried away with the momentum. He plays a wild slash, throwing his bat at a wide one from Cummins, to be beaten. He walks down the track but pushes away from his body and is beaten again on the outside edge.

The field is pushed back for the bouncers square of the wicket but Cummins sends down the yorker which Jaiswal digs out.

He cuts the last ball to deep point for a single.

Jaiswal uses his wrist to good effect to whip Lyon in the gap through midwicket for a boundary to complete his second fifty of the match, from 127 balls.

It has been one of the toughest half-centuries of this young opener's career but it will certainly be a big learning experience.

With Jaiswal and Pant in the middle, India's slim hopes of victory are still alive.

08:32

Jaiswal, Pant steady India

India 77-3 (37 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Jaiswal is beaten once more as he attempts to drive Starc's full delivery through the off-side. He defends the next ball followed by a leave and the same last ball before he keeps out the last ball.

Nathan Lyon comes back into the attack, replacing Boland. Pant picks a single first ball before Jaiswal sweeps the spinner to square leg for a four.

He keeps strike with a single from the last ball to long-off.

India have scored 38 runs from 10 overs after the lunch break to get some momentum back in their innings. Jaiswal has been positive, scoring 27 from 32 balls, with five fours. Pant also keeping the scoreboard moving with 10 from 29 balls.

Cummins is back into the attack. Jaiswal defends the first two balls before punching the third into the covers for a single.

Pant whips the pacer past the fielder at midwicket for two runs. He takes one off the next before Jaiswal drives the last ball straight for two runs.

India's run rate goes above the two-run mark for the first time as they reach 77/3 in 37 overs.

08:19

Jaiswal, Pant steady India

Yashasvi Jaiswal

India 65-3 (34 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Some advice for Jaiswal from Pant asking him not to risk the quick singles 'no hurry' he quips.

Pant clips Boland on the leg side for a single before Jaiswal is beaten trying to drive the pacer courtesy of some late movement.

Jaiswal comes down to tap the last ball on the leg side for one.

In the next over, Jaiswal punches Starc in the gap through the covers for three runs. Pant gets lucky as he nearly ends up dragging the ball back on to the stumps as it just bounces over.

He ducks under the bouncer before keeping strike with one from the last ball.

In the next over, Pant collects three runs courtesy of the overthrow. He had tapped Boland on the off-side for a quick single before overthrows twice got him two more.

Boland oversteps to add to India's total before Pant watchfully keeps out the rest of the over.

08:05

India reeling after early wickets

India 54-3 (31 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Jaiswal going after the wide deliveries, he is batting freely after a tough morning session.

Some width from Starc as the left-hander slashes it behind point for a four.

Starc bowls full and straight as Jaiswal is beaten on the inside edge and struck on the pads. He is pretty confident as captain Pat Cummins takes the DRS after the umpire rejects the LBW appeal.

The ball is hitting the top of the leg stump which means the decision stays with umpire's call as Jaiswal has a narrow escape.

07:58

India reeling after early wickets

India 50-3 (30 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Pant watchful to begin with as he defends the first five balls from Starc. He nearly perishes last ball, chasing a wide delivery and is beaten on the outside edge.

Boland is going wide to Jaiswal, who again cuts him for three boundaries off the last five balls before taking a single.

Pant perished to a reckless shot in the first innings and he once again attempts another wild heave. He looks to slog Boland on the leg side but it comes off the toe end of the bat and goes for a boundary through midwicket to bring up India's 50, in the 30th over.

The next ball bounces quite steeply from back of length as Pant is struck on the hand.

07:48

India reeling after early wickets

India 41-3 (28 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Starc to continue his over after the lunch break. Rishabh Pant's approach will be interesting, will he bat in his normal attacking fashion or bat to save the Test?

Pant blocks the first ball he faces on the off-side and misses the glance off a leg side delivery. He blocks the next two balls before he is beaten on the outside edge last ball.

Scott Boland from the other end. Jaiswal continues to bat defensively, keeping out the first three balls.

He finally breaks free with successive boundaries off Boland, playing cut shots two balls in a row to release the pressure.

07:04

Kohli out for 5; India 33/3 at lunch

India 33-3 (26.1 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Australia in complete control as India are struggling on 33/3 at the lunch break, having lost their top three batters.

Jaiswal has battled hard to be unbeaten on a struggling 14 from 83 balls.

Cummins rocked the Indians with a double blow in the 17th over dismissing Rohit Sharma and K L Rahul in the space of six balls.

Rohit's woeful run continue as he was caught at gully for eight and Rahul was caught at first slip for a duck.

Kohli perished in the same fashion off Starc for five off the final ball of the session.

With 307 needed for victory against a fired-up Australian pace attack, India's middle and lower order have their task. They will be looking to play for survival and try to bat out the last two sessions.

07:01

Kohli out for 5; India 33/3 at lunch

India 33-3 (26.1 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

The ball is not doing much now as compared to some overs back. Marsh continues as Kohli watchfully keeps out the first five balls before he misses the flick and collects a leg bye as it goes fine off his pads.

Starc from the other end with 10 minutes left for lunch. He keeps it full forcing Kohli to defend, who is defending everything at the moment.

Kohli is looking to play for lunch as India want to avoid losing another wicket before the break.

Time for spin as Nathan Lyon comes into the attack, to bowl the 26th over.

Jaiswal defends the first ball before taking a single to long-off and Kohli picks one on the leg side.

Starc strikes with the big wicket of Kohli at the stroke of lunch. The right-hander goes for the big drive off a full delivery but gets the edge and is caught by Khawaja at first slip for 5.

India reeling on 33/3 in 26.1 overs at the lunch break on Day 5, needing another 307 for victory.

06:48

Rohit, Rahul perish; India in trouble

India 30-2 (23 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Kohli nudges Cummins to fine leg for a single and Jaiswal picks one off the third ball followed by another run to the former.

Marsh bowls full on the stumps as Kohli clips it off his pads for a couple of runs and leaves the next.

Marsh looking to bowl in the channel outside the off-stump and make Kohli play away from his body, which he does as he pushes it into the covers.

Starc comes back for a small burst before lunch. Jaiswal blocks the first ball but ignores the next three as the pacer goes wide.

India are 30/2 in 23 overs with Jaiswal on 13 from 78 balls and Kohli on four.

06:32

Rohit, Rahul perish; India in trouble

India 25-2 (20 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Boland from round the wicket line to Jaiswal, who will now have to cut down on the flashy drives and play for survival.

He keeps out the first three balls before Carey comes up to the stumps again. Boland gets the ball to jag away late as Jaiswal is beaten followed by a block.

India will need Kohli to use all his experience to guide them to safety. He defends a full delivery on the off-side and does the same next ball followed by another block and keeps out the rest of the over with caution.

Mitchell Marsh into the attack. He is getting the ball to seam away as Jaiswal leaves a couple of deliveries before he is beaten trying to drive.

Four maiden overs in a row as India are struggling on 25/2 in 20 overs with Jaiswal on 12 from 69 balls and Kohli yet to score.

06:20

Cummins' double strike rocks India

India 25-2 (17 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Boland goes fuller after the drinks break. Rohit is beaten on the outside edge as he pushes away from his body before taking a single to midwicket.

Another full delivery as Jaiswal drives straight past mid-off for a couple of runs.

With Jaiswal using his feet against the pacers, wicketkeeper Alex Carey has come up to the stumps.

Extra bounce for Boland as Jaiswal and wicketkeeper Carey does well to collect the ball.

Cummins makes the first breakthrough with the wicket of Rohit, who fails for the fourth innings in a row.

Rohit looks to flick the pacer but gets the edge and Marsh takes a superb catch at gully.

Rohit walks back after scoring nine from 40 balls -- falling to Cummins for the fourth time in the series. After missing the first Test, Rohit has managed just 28 runs in four innings in the series.

Australia's strategy to bowl a bit fuller after the drinks break has paid off. Rohit looked to flick but the ball seamed away slightly as he got a thick outside edge and Marsh showed great awareness to pouch a sharp catch on the second attempt.

Cummins strikes again in the same over. K L Rahul gets the edge and is caught by Usman Khawaja at first slip for a duck.

The back of length delivery bounced and moved away as Rahul looking to defend got the edge.

India in trouble on 25/2 in 17 overs.

06:07

India openers off to cautious start

India 22-0 (15 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Jaiswal looking to disrupt the pacer's length by walking down the track but so far nothing has worked for him.

Boland continues to plug away in the channel on and around the off-stump.

Jaiswal defends it on the off-side and wants a quick single but is sent back and drives the last ball to mid-on.

Jaiswal, who normally likes to bat freely, has struggled to get going, scoring 10 from 49 balls faced so far with a single boundary.

Rohit looks to take on the short ball from Cummins but is beaten for pace. He perished after miscuing the pull shot off the same bowler in the first innings.

He plays the pull shot next ball for a single to fine leg and Jaiswal keeps out the last four balls.

India are 22 for no loss in 15 overs, with Jaiswal on 10 from 53 balls and Rohit on eight from 37 balls.

The two openers have done well to play out the new ball in the first hour.

05:57

India openers off to cautious start

India 21-0 (13 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Cummins back into the attack as he replaces Starc. Rohit finally gets one off the middle as he punches Cummins straight back with Travis Head making a diving stop at mid-off to keep it down to two runs.

Rohit has now survived for 28 deliveries -- the most by him in this series. His previous best was the 27 balls he faced in the first innings of the Brisbane Test.

Boland beats Jaiswal on the outside edge as the left-hander attempts to defend before he comes down the track and leaves.

Jaiswal again uses his feet but is beaten by some away movement and bounce. He drives the last ball straight back for a single as Cummins puts in the dive at mid-on.

Australia's pacers have gone past the bat so many times but India will be glad that they still have all 10 wickets intact.

Jaiswal has looked all at sea against the moving ball as he plays and misses against Cummins this time.

He inside edges the third ball for a single and Rohit carefully keeps out the last three balls.

India playing for survival as they reach 21 for no loss in 13 overs.

05:44

India off to a watchful start

India 17-0 (10 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Starc misses his line as he strays down the leg side. Jaiswal misses the flick but the ball goes fine off his pads for four leg byes. He then avoids the short ball before he is beaten going for the ambitious drive through the covers off a full delivery swinging away.

Boland keeping it back of length as Rohit is able to leave on length. He is completely squared up off the fourth ball which bounces and moves away but the edge falls short of Marsh at gully, for a single.

Jaiswal is beaten off the last ball on the outside edge as India reach 17 for no loss in 10 overs.

It has been a tough 45 minutes for the Indian openers against the new ball but things will certainly get easier once the ball starts to lose its shine.

05:37

India off to a watchful start

India 12-0 (8 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Rohit finally gets off the mark, from the 14th ball faced, as he taps Cummins into the off-side for a single.

Jaiswal gets a leading edge off the fifth ball for another run on the off-side and Rohit leaves the last ball.

Starc continues to trouble Jaiswal. The left-hander pokes and misses and is beaten on the outside edge. One the slips fielders is interested but Starc reckons it has missed the bat by a long way before Jaiswal picks a single.

Rohit gets a thick outside edge trying to drive as it goes past gully for three runs.

Just three overs for Cummins with the new ball before Scott Boland comes into the attack.

The first ball is on length as Rohit blocks it on the off-side and does the same next two balls.

Rohit being very watchful as he plays out the rest of the over. He has played 22 balls while scoring four runs.

05:20

India off to a watchful start

India 6-0 (5 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Rohit looking to be cautious against the new ball, not trying to play any risky shots early on.

He leaves the first two balls from Cummins before defending on the off-side and blocks the next before he plays out the last two balls.

Rohit is yet to get off the mark from 11 balls faced so far.

Starc continues to trouble Jaiswal. The left-hander blocks the first two balls before he leaves as the ball passes very close to the stumps.

Some late swing for Starc off a full delivery as Jaiswal looking to defend is beaten on the outside edge and he leaves the fifth ball, pitched back of length.

The last ball is overpitched as Jaiswal breaks the shackles by driving the last ball straight back for a boundary.

That has helped release the pressure after 22 dot balls in a row.

05:12

Aus 234 all out; India need 340 to win

India 2-0 (3 ovs); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Pat Cummins from the other end. Jaiswal defends the first ball and inside edges the next for a single to fine leg.

Rohit edges Cummins but again short of gully followed by a leave before he keeps out the fifth ball which bounces a bit more.

Rohit edges for the third time in five balls faced so far, but again well short of the slips.

Starc from the other end. Jaiswal is beaten as he goes for the big drive through the off-side. The next ball is back of length as Jaiswal comes down before he leaves.

He again takes a step down and decides to leave with the ball coming into him, but bounces over the stumps.

Another great delivery from Starc, full and swinging away, as Jaiswal is beaten going for the big drive through the off-side and plays and misses again off the last ball.

The new ball has jagged around as the two Indian openers have missed more than played in the first three overs.

05:02

Aus 234 all out; India need 340 to win

India 1-0 (1 ov); Target to win: 340 | Scorecard

Rohit Sharma walks out to open the batting with Yashasvi Jaiswal, while Mitchell Starc will bowl the first over for the hosts.

The first ball is full and wide as Jaiswal leaves it alone and the same next ball.

The third ball is closer to the line of the stumps as Jaiswal is beaten on the outside trying to defend.

He inside edges the fourth ball before taking a single to get off the mark and Rohit gets a thick edge last ball but short of the fielder at gully.

04:53

Bumrah takes 5 to bowl out Australia for 234

Aus 234-all out (83.4 ovs) & 474 vs Ind 369 | Scorecard

Jasprit Bumrah from the other end. Boland steers the third past gully for a single before Bumrah finishes off Australia's second innings.

He bowls Lyon with a full delivery to finish with impressive figures of 5/57 in 24.4 overs.

Lyon is dismissed for 41 as Australia are bowled out for 234 in 83.4 overs.

Australia have set India a record 340 for victory in 92 overs left to be bowled. The highest total ever chased at the MCG is 332 by England against Australia way back in 1928.

Australia's second innings lasted just nine balls on Day 5 as they added six runs before Bumrah bagged the final wicket, to take his wicket count to take his wicket to 30 in the series at an incredible average of 12.

04:44

Australia continue to bat on Day 5

Aus 233-9 (85 ovs) & 474 vs Ind 369 | Scorecard

Australia will continue to bat on Day 5. Their last pair fought back to take the team to 228/9, putting on an unbeaten stand of 55 runs from 110 balls -- the second best partnership of the second innings for the hosts.

Mohammed Siraj starts off with the ball for India on the final day. Scott Boland offers no shot to the first ball before he edges the next ball but it goes to the left of K L Rahul for a boundary.

He plays and misses off the fourth ball poking away from his body and the same next ball.

He keeps strike courtesy of a leg bye after missing the flick off the last ball, to get five runs from the first over.

04:32

India face stiff task on Day 5

Aus 228-9 (84 ovs) & 474 vs Ind 369 | Scorecard

Welcome to the coverage of Day 5 of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday.

A Marnus Labuschagne half-century and stubborn tail-end batting drove Australia to a 333-run lead at the end of day four, leaving India facing a record chase to steal victory.

Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland marched off to a big ovation from home fans at the iconic MCG, having combined for an unbeaten 55-run partnership for the final wicket as Australia went to stumps at 228 for nine.

Lyon was 41 not out, with number 11 Boland on 10 and India's hopes of winning badly diminished in the final hour.

With the five-Test series level at 1-1, India's pace dynamo Jasprit Bumrah threatened to turn the match with a three-wicket burst before tea in front of 43,867 fans.

But number three Labuschagne (70) and his captain Pat Cummins (41) steadied Australia with a 57-run partnership before Boland and Lyon frustrated India further.

The day ended sourly for the tourists when Bumrah had Lyon caught in the slips by a juggling K L Rahul in the final over -- with a no-ball.

Only one team has chased more than 300 for victory in an MCG Test; England mowed down 332 to beat Australia in 1928.

While Boland and Lyon made the going look easy, Labuschagne said there was enough in the pitch for Australia's bowlers on day five.

"The movement (off the seam) has probably been the same but just the amount of bounce is significantly lower," Labuschagne told reporters of the changing wicket.

"So that makes for pretty tricky batting because more balls are hitting the stumps from a shorter length."

4th Test Updates: Australia down India by 184 runs

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