Last Updated:December 28, 2024, 16:47 IST

India have bowled Australia out for 200 or less runs three times in the last five innings at the MCG.

Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy stitched a 127-run partnership for the 8th wicket [AP Photo]

Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar confidently remarked on Saturday that India can get Australia all-out for ‘around 100-150’ and chase a fourth innings score of 250-325 to win the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

India ended the third day of the Test at 358/9, 116 runs behind Australia’s first innings score of 474. In both innings, the most help bowlers got from the pitch was with the new ball. As the red cherries got older and softer, apart from the occasional turner, batting looked easy. But Sundar feels there’s enough for the bowlers if they execute their plans with discipline.

“I mean, obviously I still feel there’s something for the bowlers on this wicket,” Sundar said in the press conference. “So if you can get them all out around 100-150… I think generally for bowlers, there is something on the wicket because I mean, the sun doesn’t come out a lot and it’s been overcast for most of the game until now, I guess. So I mean, if we can go in the right areas if we can take our chances, I’m sure we should be able to get them for 150.”

“Honestly, every session would be important, you know, starting from the first session tomorrow. I guess if you could bowl well and if you could pick wickets, we should be able to get them all out for about 150. And you know, if you can, I’m sure we’ll be able to get anywhere between 250 to 325,” he added.

Although the pitch for this Test is different, India have had such bowling success at the MCG in the past. In 2018, India bowled out Australia twice for 151 and 261 respectively and in the 2020 Boxing Day Tests, the hosts were shot down for 195 and 200.

Sundar, whose 50 and century partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy helped India recover from 221/7, also said the momentum for the Test is in India’s favor.

“The kind of day that we had today was very important, you know, considering the context of this particular game. We knew how important this Test was going to be. Yes, I think a lot of things went well today. If we can, you know, really keep the momentum going… I think I would definitely say momentum is on our side and if we can bowl really well tomorrow, things will get really interesting for us.”

Location :

Melbourne, Australia