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India would ultimately be bowled out for a mere 155 and the Australians would notch a dominant 184-run victory, taking the 2-1 lead in the series, with one final match to go.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s controversial dismissal was all the talk after India’s loss to Australia (AP)
The Boxing Day Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was a fiery, spicy endeavor, but one where India could not get the better of Australia because they just were not good enough. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma himself admitted to the same, highlighting how the team failed to capitalise on their chances in Melbourne.
In a topsy-turvy Day 5, it all boiled down to 340 runs — what India needed to secure the win — and 10 wickets.
In the ultimate do-or-die, India’s top order, except for one, failed to fire, with talisman batters such as Kohli, Rohit and Rahul all being dimissed for dismal scores.
“We had our chances but didn’t take them. I know things can get difficult, but that is what we are here for,” Rohit Sharma stated in the post-match interview.
A fight would ensue from the duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, putting up a 88-run partnership, before Pant would be dismissed and all hell would break loose again.
The chaos would come to a tipping point when Jaiswal was dismissed for a highly controversial decision, being dismissed for a deflection that did not show up on the Snickometer despite the ball getting visbily deflected off him.
“I don’t want to look at only one instance that happened in the game. We just were not good enough,” Rohit stated humbly.
“In all fairness, I think he did touch the ball. The technology is not always 100 percent. More often than not, we are the ones falling on the wrong side of it (decision-making by DRS). I believe it was a little unfortunate.”
“He showed great character and a lot of fight, batting there in the middle. I just hope he goes from strength to strength. There is a lot more to look forward to from him,” Rohit added.
India would ultimately be bowled out for a mere 155 and the Australians would notch a dominant 184-run victory, taking the 2-1 lead in the series, with one final match to go.
“We threw everything we had at them, but they fought hard in that last-wicket partnership. 340 wasn’t going to be easy for us. We wanted to go for the target. But, we didn’t set the platform. Their bowlers were perfect today as well.”
The final Test will begin on January 3 and shall take place in Sydney.
