India began the Boxing Day Test at the MCG with ragging the Aussies in their own backyard. However, when they came out to bat in the 2nd innings, they succumbed to the worst batting-order collapse in this series so far.
After bowling out the hosts for mere 151 runs on the third day, Virat Kohli and his men were reduced to 50/5 by the end of day’s play. They are leading by 346 runs with rookie Mayank Agarwal (28*) and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant (6*) at the crease.
The makeshift Indian openers – Mayank and Hanuma Vihari – provided a decent start to the hosts as they survived for almost 13 overs at the crease. They stitched a 28-run stand for the opening wicket before Pat Cummins began the ‘mayhem’ at the venue.
Firstly, he got rid of Vihari with a bouncer and then sent back Cheteshwar Pujara (0) and Virat Kohi (0) packing in a similar fashion – getting them caught at the leg gully off a fuller delivery. India were reduced to 28/3 while the Aussies were delighted like never before in the ongoing series.
Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma could add another 4 runs to the 4th wicket before Cummins struck for the fourth time to hamper the Indian batting. A short of a length delivery, down the leg side, took a thin edge of his bat and landed safely in Tim Paine’s gloves.
After Cummins quarter attack, Josh Hazlewood took care of Rohit and removed him at a minimal score of 5 on a shorter delivery.
It was a sudden but a humongous jolt to the visitors after putting up a magnificent batting show in the first innings. The Indian middle order added just 6 runs to the total which turn out to be the 2nd lowest score ever since 1946.
Earlier, Australia sunk to 145-7 at tea. Post lunch, it took only four overs for Bumrah to strike again as he bowled Travis Head (20), playing on in the 37th over.
Australia were in dire straits at 92-5 and things didn't improve when Ravindra Jadeja (2-45) struck for a second time against Mitchell Marsh (9). The batsman tried an exaggerated onside flick, but ended up edging to slip as the ball exploded off the pitch.
The hosts managed to cross 100 in the 41st over, but were struggling at 102-6. The next pair then batted with more patience and cut down on attacking strokes for the next hour.
In doing so, Paine and Pat Cummins (17) added 36 runs for the seventh wicket and added some respectability to the total amid the ruins. To India's credit, they never relented the bowling pressure and executed their plans to near perfection.
Just when it appeared that Australia might avoid another dismissal, Mohammed Shami (1-27) got into the attack and bowled him to give India the advantage again.
Starting from overnight 8-0, Australia were under the pump early on as Ishant Sharma (1-41) and Bumrah gave them no room for manoeuvring.
Ishant struck in the fifth over of the morning as Mayank Agarwal scooped up a sharp catch at short mid-wicket to send back Aaron Finch (8). The fielder was stationed there for an aerial shot and the plan worked to get an early breakthrough.
Four overs later, Marcus Harris (22) went for an uncontrolled pull and found the fine leg fielder as Bumrah celebrated his first wicket of the day.
India used the scoreboard pressure to good effect as Jadeja came on to bowl with close-in fielders all around the bat. Usman Khawaja (21) fell to this ploy, caught at short leg, as Australia slipped further to 53-3 in the 20th over.
Shaun Marsh (19) and Head then added 36 runs for the fourth wicket and brought some semblance of stability to the Australian innings. They used good footwork against Jadeja to smother the possibility of turn from the rough.
But Bumrah came up with an inspirational yorker at the stroke of lunch, and the slow dipping delivery caught Shaun Marsh plumb in front of the wicket, as Australia's top-order was completely blown away on this third morning.