AAP: INDIA must achieve the highest Test run chase at the MCG to beat Australia in the Boxing Day Test and retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
India will need to defy history and the vagaries of the MCG wicket if they are to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for a record-extending fifth-straight series.
Australia added only a further six runs on Monday after they were bowled out for 234 in the second over of day five, giving them a lead of 339.
Nathan Lyon (41) and Scott Boland (15 not out), Australia’s No.10 and 11, made 61 in a crucial last-wicket stand that shot the lead past the crucial 300 mark and frustrated India.
A bumper crowd is expected to come to the MCG for what could be one of Test cricket’s most memorable days.
A total of 299,329 fans have already attended this Boxing Day Test, with the all-time MCG record crowd of 350,534 in the 1936-37 Ashes series, when Don Bradman was king, expected to fall.
Out-of-form India captain Rohit Sharma will open the batting with young superstar Yashasvi Jaiswal.
If India win, they go 2-1 up in the series and as the reigning champions, they will retain the trophy regardless of the fifth Test next week in Sydney.
But the highest successful Test run chase at the ground was nearly a century ago, when England made 7-332 to beat Australia in 1928.
If India win, it will be their third-highest Test run chase.
It would even beat the 7-329 they posted to win the fourth Test at the Gabba in 2021 and claim the series.
Australia’s recovery from a shaky 6-91 late on Sunday – also helped by skipper Pat Cummins’ 41 – was the latest twist in an epic Test full of momentum swings.
Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah finished with figures of 5-57, giving him nine wickets for the Test and taking him up to 30 for the series.
Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne, who played in the 2021 loss, said that Brisbane wicket was far removed from the MCG pitch.
“As the game has gone on, the bounce has gotten less and more inconsistent,” said Labuschagne, who has impressed in this Test with 72 and 70.
“So we’re just getting more balls hitting the stumps, more balls skidding through.
“That makes for pretty tricky batting, because more balls are hitting the stumps from a shorter length. Balls are skidding through (and) a few balls shot up today.
“That wicket (at the Gabba three years ago) was flat … the main part of the wicket was really nice.”
Just as Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar turned India’s fortunes around on Saturday with their epic eighth-wicket stand, Reddy feels one good partnership on Monday will set up India for the win.
Reddy top-scored with 114 in their first innings, his maiden Test ton.
“I feel like you need to get one partnership, one or two good partnerships,” he said.
“We can see later on the fourth day, it (the pitch) was doing a little bit more.
“But we don’t need to put on more pressure, like pitches doing this or that. We need to play according to the situations.”
Australia’s opening bowler Mitch Starc also noted the absorbing contest was the perfect counter to some commentary that Tests should be shortened to four days.
“This why we’ve got five days for a Test match and really stick it up those who want four days,” he told ABC Radio.
