Ajinkya Rahane's Indian cricket team secured an eight-wicket win against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to level the four-Test series 1-1
Ajinkya Rahane's Indian cricket team showed their mettle and their mental toughness as they recovered from the horror loss in Adelaide to win by eight wickets in the Melboure Boxing Day Test on Tuesday. This was their second consecutive win in a Boxing Day Test, having earlier won in 2018. The win totally buried the ghosts of Adelaide in which they were bowled out for an 88-year low in which the Indian cricket team were bowled out for 36.
The Australian lower middle order tried to hang in and ensure they got the lead past 100. However, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj managed to keep taking wickets at regular intervals. Ravichandran Ashwin was also in fine form as he took the final wicket to set India a target of 70. Despite losing Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane managed to take India to a comfortable win. This was Ajinkya Rahane's third win as captain, having won in his first Test as captain in Dharamshala in 2017 by eight wickets. Rahane had also won his second Test as captain against Afghanistan in Bangalore in 2018. The four-Test series is now 1-1 with the third Test being played in Sydney on January 7.
1. Mohammed Siraj India
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Australia were looking to extend their lead on day 4 with Pat Cummins and Cameron Green looking solid and determined. The partnership between Green and Cummins went past fifty but Jasprit Bumrah ended the stand of 58 when he had Pat Cummins was undone by a brutal bouncer. Mohammed Siraj then went on to pick Cameron Green and Nathan Lyon as he ended a good Test debut. (Image credit: BCCI Twitter handle)
2. India cricket team
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R Ashwin took the final wicket to fall as he managed to dismiss a left-handed batsman for the 192nd time in Tests, beating the previous mark of 191 by Muttiah Muralitharan. R Ashwin became the ultimate nightmare for left-handed batsmen as Australia were bowled out for 200. (Image credit: BCCI Twitter handle)
3. R Ashwin
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The Australian cricket team were bowled out for 200, slightly improving on their previous innings score of 195. The run-rate of 1.83 was the slowest for Australia in a home Test in a period of over 30 years and it signified their struggles against an Indian pace attack that was at it's peak. (Image credit: BCCI Twitter handle)
4. Ajinkya Rahane Shubman Gill
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India started off confidently but they lost Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara cheaply. However, Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane managed to steady the ship and they got India to the target. Rahane and Gill impressed with their strokeplay and confidence as India coasted to a comfortable eight-wicket win to level the four-Test series. (Image credit: BCCI Twitter handle)
5. Ajinkya Rahane Man of the Match
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Ajinkya Rahane was given the Man of the Match for his knock of 112 as well as his proactive captaincy. It was superb rotation of his bowlers as well as his superb field placements which helped India win for the second consecutive time in Melbourne for a Boxing Day Test. (Image credit: BCCI Twitter handle)
