Debutant pace bowler Mohammed Siraj took 3-37, including claiming two of the four wickets to fall in Tuesday’s opening session.
Australia’s tail wagged after resuming on Tuesday in a desperate position of 133-6, an overall lead of two runs. However, with the first six wickets falling for 99 runs, it was always going to be an uphill task for Australia to post a competitive target.
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India’s decision to take the second new ball after 80 overs was a successful move, with a breakthrough coming in the 83rd over. Pat Cummins fended a bouncer from Jasprit Bumrah to second slip and was caught for 22 at 156-7, ending a 57-run stand with Cameron Green.
Second-gamer Green, 21, scored a stylish 45 before he pulled a short ball from Siraj to mid-wicket at 177-8.
Australia's Mitchell Starc dives to make his ground during play on day four of the second cricket test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Dec 29, 2020. AP Photo
Facing a series of bouncers, Nathan Lyon was caught behind off the bowling of Siraj with just another eight runs added to the tally.
Josh Hazlewood played no shot and was bowled by Ashwin (2-71) for eight, with Mitchell Starc left stranded on 14. It was the first time in the series Australia had managed to reach 200 runs in an innings as its batsmen continue to flounder.
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Australia’s batting collapse on Monday came despite Umesh Yadav limping off with a calf-muscle injury midway through his fourth over.
Matthew Wade scored a gritty 40 before spinner Ravindra Jadeja (2-28) made a vital breakthrough by trapping the opener leg before wicket.
Australia then slumped to 99-6 after suffering a middle-order collapse, losing three wickets for one run including the dismissal of Tim Paine, who was caught behind off the bowling of Jadeja, following a video review.