India Fails to Avoid Defeat in Melbourne Test Despite Yashasvi-Pant Resistance

 

India suffered a crushing defeat in the Melbourne Test, losing by a massive margin despite a valiant fight by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Washington Sundar. With this loss, Team India trails 1-2 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In their second innings, India managed to score just 155 runs, with Yashasvi contributing 84. Ultimately, the visitors were beaten by 184 runs.

Chasing a daunting target of 340, the challenge was always steep. However, could the team have fought harder to save the Test? Apart from Yashasvi, none of the Indian batters stood up to the Australian bowling attack. Even Yashasvi’s innings ended controversially due to a debatable decision by the third umpire. Had he stayed, the outcome could have been different.

Rishabh Pant showed some resilience, adopting a defensive approach reminiscent of Cheteshwar Pujara or VVS Laxman, but his knock ended prematurely. Tempted by a delivery from Travis Head, Pant attempted an attacking shot and was caught out for 30. At that point, with India’s score at 121, there was a glimmer of hope that the match could be saved, if not won. But once Pant departed, the collapse was inevitable.

The morning session of the fifth day had already put India on the back foot. Australia, resuming their innings at 228/9, added 6 more runs for the last wicket, taking their second innings total to 234. Jasprit Bumrah claimed five wickets, but the Australians set a massive target of 340.

India’s response needed a solid start, but Pat Cummins shattered those hopes. He dismissed Rohit Sharma (9) and KL Rahul (0) in the same over, leaving India in deep trouble. The responsibility to steady the innings fell on Virat Kohli, but the Indian star senior batter  fell for just 5, nicking an off-stump delivery as usual .

From there, Yashasvi and Pant formed a crucial partnership to rebuild the innings. However, after Pant’s dismissal, India’s batting lineup crumbled. Ravindra Jadeja managed only 2 runs & was caught behind off a lifting delivery from Boland , while Nitish Kumar Reddy, who had scored a century in the first innings, could add just 1 before he was brilliantly caught by Smith off Lyon . Yashasvi (84) remained the lone warrior until he was controversially given out caught behind  by the Bangladeshi third umpire trying to pull Cummins though slow motion replays did show that the ball deviated off his gloves holding the bat . 

Washington Sundar tried to hold one end with his 5 off 45 balls, but Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were dismissed cheaply, sealing India’s fate.

With this defeat, India now trails 1-2 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The next match in Sydney will be crucial for Rohit Sharma's team, as they aim to level the series and keep their hopes alive.  India further slumped to 52% points in the WTC points table while Australia moved higher to 62 % & South Africa have already qualified at 66% .

Pat Cummins for his excellent all round display was the player of the match .