Virat Kohli led side put on an all-round show to beat Australia by 137 runs on the fifth day of the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday. With the big win, India take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series and also retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Also, this is only the second time in their history that India have managed to win two matches in a series Down Under. The first time India did so was way back in 1977-78 series.
Earlier on Day four, India set the hosts an improbable target of 399 after declaring their second innings at 106 for eight. Needing to bat five and a half sessions to save the match, Australia didn’t get off to the best start as Aaron Finch edged Bumrah to second slip in the second over.
Usman Khawaja then added 27 runs for the second wicket with Marcus Harris (13). The duo checked their shot selection, even as India wasted a review against Khawaja in Jadeja’s first over.
Earlier, the visitors had scored 443-7 decl. in the first innings thanks to Cheteshwar Pujara’s 17th Test hundred. Jasprit Bumrah then picked career-best figures of 6-33 as Australia were bowled out for 151 runs in reply on day three, conceding a 292-run lead.
