December 30, 2018, marked a historic day for Indian cricket as the team registered a resounding 137-run victory over Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This iconic win not only gave India an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also ensured they retained the prestigious title.
India’s Strong Start with the Bat
Winning the toss, India opted to bat on a challenging MCG pitch. Making his Test debut, opener Mayank Agarwal impressed with a composed knock of 76, setting the tone for the innings. The backbone of India’s batting was Cheteshwar Pujara, who displayed immense patience and skill, scoring a gritty 106 off 319 balls. Captain Virat Kohli contributed with a steady 82, while Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 63 added crucial runs as India declared their innings at a commanding 443/7.
Bumrah’s Bowling Brilliance
India’s dominance continued with the ball, courtesy of Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional bowling performance. He dismantled the Australian batting lineup with figures of 6/33 in the first innings, his career-best at the time. Bumrah’s lethal combination of pace and precision left Australia struggling as they were bowled out for just 151 runs. With match figures of 9/86, Bumrah cemented his place as one of the finest fast bowlers on Australian soil.
Setting an Unassailable Target
Armed with a significant first-innings lead, India chose to bat again. While Pat Cummins showcased his bowling prowess with figures of 6/27, limiting India to 106/8 declared, the visitors had already set a daunting target of 399 runs for Australia.
Australia’s Resistance Falls Short
Australia’s chase was led by Pat Cummins, who displayed grit with the bat, top-scoring with 63. However, the Indian bowlers, led once again by Bumrah and ably supported by Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja, maintained relentless pressure. Australia was eventually bowled out for 261, handing India a comprehensive victory.
A Historic Win
This win was monumental for India, marking their first Test victory at the MCG since 1981. It was also a crucial moment in the series, paving the way for India to secure their first-ever Test series triumph on Australian soil with a 2-1 result. The match was a testament to India’s all-round strength, with stellar contributions from both the batters and bowlers.
Jasprit Bumrah’s extraordinary performance earned him the Player of the Match award, highlighting his pivotal role in this historic achievement.
