India seamer Jasprit Bumrah was at his unplayable best at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Day Four of the fourth Test, claiming 4-56 including his 200th wicket in a breathtaking performance against Australia.
Bumrah dominated Australia’s middle order on Sunday, removing Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey cheaply before the home side’s tail wagged, reaching 228-9 at stumps, with one day of play remaining. Australia leads by 333 runs with the five-match series level at 1-1.
Earlier, Australia lost four wickets for 11 runs in 22 deliveries, slumping from 80-2 to 91-6 in a dramatic middle-order collapse after Lunch.
But the home side rallied thanks to a 57-run partnership between Marnus Labuschagne (70) and Pat Cummins (41).
India resumed Sunday on 358-9 and was bowled out for 369 in reply to the home side’s 474.
Nitish Kumar Reddy top-scored with 114. It was the 21-year-old’s maiden century in his fourth test. Cummins (3-89), Scott Boland (3-57) and spinner Nathan Lyon (3-96) took three wickets each.
Reddy said that to have family and friends, including his father, Mutyala, watching when he scored his maiden Test century was a special moment.
“That was a special century for me and for my father,” Reddy said. “When I was nothing, the first person who believed in me was my father. He believed in me and he resigned his job for me.
“He made a lot of sacrifices. I’m so grateful to have a father like him.”