Australia secured an extraordinary Boxing Day Test victory over India, winning by 184 runs in the fourth match of the five-game series held in Sydney. This remarkable performance not only gives the Aussies a 2-1 series lead but also places them on the brink of qualifying for their second consecutive World Test Championship Final.
Pat Cummins and his team showcased a dominant display, particularly on the final day, taking seven Indian wickets after tea to seal the match. The decisive moment came with less than 14 overs left in the day when Nathan Lyon dismissed Mohammed Siraj, sparking jubilant celebrations among the 74,000-strong crowd at the MCG. The hard-fought match has been hailed as one of the most thrilling Test encounters on Australian soil in recent memory.
The reigning ICC World Test Champions are now in a commanding position to book their place in the next final at Lord’s in 2025. Currently second in the World Test Championship standings, Australia needs just one win in their remaining three Tests to secure a spot in the decider, where they may face South Africa.
India’s path to the final is now more challenging. To keep their hopes alive, India must win the final Test of the series in Sydney to tie the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a prize they have held since 2017. Even then, their qualification would depend on Australia not winning any matches in their upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
The victory was built on a collective effort from the Australian side, with Pat Cummins leading from the front. His fiery spell before lunch on the final day shifted the game in Australia’s favor. Cummins’ figures of 3/28 earned him the Player of the Match award.
India fought valiantly, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (88) and Rishabh Pant (30) adding an 88-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Their resistance gave India a glimmer of hope before Travis Head dismissed Pant, swinging the momentum back to the hosts. Jaiswal’s controversial dismissal, overturned by the TV umpire, further tilted the scales in Australia’s favor.
Nathan Lyon, who worked tirelessly throughout the match, took the final wicket to close out the game. His contribution of 2/37 on the final day epitomized Australia’s determination and teamwork.
This victory brings Australia closer to reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and solidifies their standing as a formidable force in Test cricket. For Indian fans, the upcoming Sydney Test will be a must-win scenario to keep their championship aspirations alive.
With this iconic match, the rivalry between Australia and India has added another thrilling chapter, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the final clash of the series.
