India outwits Australia with 8 wicket victory in Boxing Day Test

Team India outwitted Australia and levelled the test series after comprehensive win against Australia by eight wickets at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

India tied up the Test series against Australia at 1-1 with a decisive eight-wicket victory in the second match at MCG.

Ajinkya Rahane and impressive debutant Shubman Gill kept their composure after Pujara and Agarwal lost their wickets as India chased down a 70-run total to win the Boxing Day Test on Day 4.

Mohammed Siraj got two, Ashwin got one while Bumrah dismissed Pat Cummins as India bowled Australia for 200 in the second Test in Melbourne

For Australian side,  Cameron Green and Pat Cummins resumed their overnight partnership and reached 57 before Cummins punched a short ball from Jasprit Bumrah to Agarwal at first slip for an important 103-ball 22.

Green fell next, picking out Ravindra Jadeja at mid-wicket with a mis-timed hook shot for 45 — the highest score of the innings.

Nathan Lyon (3) and Josh Hazlewood (10) provided minimal resistance, with Starc unbeaten on 14, which left India the paltry target of just 70 to level the series.

Disappointed Australian Skipper Tim Paine said “We played some poor cricket, sloppy cricket for a major part of the game. Credit to India, they forced us into mistakes with the bat, ball and also on the field. And when you do that against a quality team, it costs you. But again, need to credit India as they put us under pressure. We have issues with the batting and need to get it sorted,” Paine said at the presentation ceremony.”

Whereas, the player of the match, Rahane said that “I’m very proud of all the players,” “They played really well. I want to pay tribute to the debutants, Gill and Siraj, the way they showed character was really important going into this Test match – and unfortunately we lost Umesh in the second innings.

“We know Shubman, his first-class career – he batted really well and in this game he showed intent that he can play shots at this level and Siraj, he bowled with discipline.”