India v Australia 4th test day 1
- Agastya Fateh Narayanan
- Jan 1
- 8 min read
I was lucky enough to go watch this with my Dad live in Australia. At this point in the series, India and Australia were 1-1. By all standards, it was a Test match which was one not to be forgotten easily. One that was attended by a record of 373,691 people. The largest crowd in MCG history.
Engaging Pre-Lunch Session
The match commenced with an electrifying atmosphere as India took to the field, showcasing their bowling prowess right from the outset. The Indian bowlers, led by the masterful Jasprit Bumrah, created an immediate sense of urgency, with the ball narrowly missing the edge of the bat on multiple occasions. Bumrah's exceptional skill was on full display, as he consistently troubled the Australian batsmen with his precise line and length. There was a particularly tense moment when a close LBW (Leg Before Wicket) appeal was made against the Australian opener. India opted for a review, and the anticipation was palpable as the ball tracking technology was employed. The result revealed that the ball was just missing the top of the stumps, leading to a collective sigh of relief from the Australian camp, while the Indian players remained undeterred, fueled by their early momentum.
However, as the overs progressed, the Australian openers began to settle into their innings, demonstrating resilience and a keen understanding of the game. They started to score at a brisk pace, capitalizing on any loose deliveries that were presented to them. On any other day, with the quality of bowling on display, Australia might have found themselves in a precarious position, potentially losing three or four wickets early on. Yet, despite the Indian bowlers' relentless efforts and their ability to beat the bat time and again, the Australians managed to weather the storm, showcasing their own skill and determination.
The turning point in the session came when debutant Sam Konstas stepped up to the crease. His arrival brought an unexpected twist to the proceedings as he executed a series of innovative shots that disrupted Bumrah's rhythm. The first was a spectacular scoop shot that sent the ball flying over the infield, followed by an reverse scoop that left the fielders in disbelief. These strokes forced Bumrah to adjust his strategy, leading him to bowl slightly shorter deliveries than usual. This adjustment allowed Konstas to leave the ball with confidence and rotate the strike with relative ease, thereby relieving some pressure off his batting partner. Meanwhile, at the other end, Mohammed Siraj was bowling well to Usman Khawaja and was always at the stumps forcing Khawaja to always play at it. Khawaja was looking uncomfortable early on in his innings and was lucky to not have nicked off. But as the bowlers got tired, he started to score. With some unorthodox shots he passed his 50 before falling on the stroke of lunch to a LBW by Jadeja.
Thrilling post-lunch session
After the lunch break, Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja faced a particularly challenging period of bowling that tested their skills and resilience at the crease. The bowlers were relentless, applying pressure with their tight lines and disciplined length, making it crucial for the batsmen to remain focused and composed. If they had lost a wicket during this critical phase, the dynamics of the match could have shifted dramatically, potentially leading to a collapse in the batting order and giving the opposition a significant advantage. However, both Labuschagne and Khawaja demonstrated remarkable determination and concentration, ultimately going on to score more than 50 runs each, which proved vital for their team's stability.
Despite Khawaja not being at the peak of his batting form during this innings, he managed to accumulate runs steadily. His fifty, while a commendable achievement, did not come in the manner he had envisioned. Instead of a classic boundary or a well-timed shot, his milestone was reached through an edge that flew through the vacant slip region, a stroke that perhaps highlighted the struggle he faced against the bowlers. This moment encapsulated the essence of Test cricket, where runs can come in various forms, and sometimes luck plays a role in reaching personal milestones. Khawaja's ability to grind out runs, even when not at his best, reflects his experience and understanding of the game, showcasing the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. Soon after Khawaja reached the milestone of his half-century, a moment of disappointment ensued as he succumbed to poor shot selection. Having displayed a commendable level of concentration and skill to accumulate runs, he found himself in a position of relative comfort. However, in a lapse of judgment, he opted for a risky shot against a short delivery that was directed towards his body. This particular ball, while challenging, was one that many seasoned batsmen would have typically capitalized on, given its potential for aggressive play. Instead of executing a controlled pull or hook shot, which could have sent the ball racing to the boundary, Khawaja miscalculated and ended up hitting it directly to the waiting hands of Rahul, who was positioned in the field with keen anticipation. This unfortunate dismissal not only curtailed Khawaja's promising innings but also served as a stark reminder of the fine line between aggression and recklessness in the game of cricket.
Then Steve Smith came out to the middle and he and Labuschagne survived the rest of the session without losing any more wickets, allowing them to accelerate without risk in the next session
India pull the game back in the final session of play
In the final session of day 1, the atmosphere in the stadium was electric as Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith emerged onto the field with a clear intent to dominate the Indian bowling attack. Both batsmen were determined
to build a solid foundation for their team, aiming to put India on the back foot and seize control of the match. Their aggressive approach was evident as they took calculated risks, looking to score runs quickly and unsettle the Indian bowlers. The partnership between Labuschagne and Smith was blossoming, and the crowd was treated to a display of confident stroke play and strategic batting. Then just as the Australian team was beginning to feel a surge of confidence, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when Steve Smith faced a crucial delivery that had the potential to change the course of the match. With the bowler steaming in, Smith settled into his stance, fully aware of the pressure mounting from the opposition. As the ball pitched and angled towards him, it struck his pad with a thud that echoed around the ground, leading to an immediate appeal from the fielding side.
The on-field umpire paused momentarily, contemplating the appeal, while players from the bowling team surrounded him, their expressions a mix of hope and anticipation. The tension in the stadium was palpable, with fans holding their breath, knowing that this decision could be pivotal. The bowler, having delivered a well-executed delivery, was convinced he had his man, and the crowd erupted in a chorus of excitement, eager for a decision that could tip the scales in favor of their team.
However, the drama did not end there. The Australian camp, particularly Smith, remained composed, knowing that the decision could be reviewed. As the third umpire was called upon to assess the situation through ball tracking technology, the atmosphere became even more electric. The players gathered around the screens, eyes glued to the visuals that would determine Smith's fate.
When the ball tracking was finally displayed, the tension reached its peak. The graphics indicated that the ball had indeed pitched in line and struck Smith's pad, but crucially, it was shown to be just missing the leg stump. A collective sigh of relief swept through the Australian supporters, while the disappointment was palpable among the opposition players. Smith, having narrowly escaped what could have been a devastating wicket, resumed his innings with renewed focus and determination, aware that fortune had smiled upon him this time. This incident not only highlighted the fine margins that define cricket but also underscored the importance of technology in modern-day cricket, adding another layer of complexity to the game.
However, just as Labuschagne reached the milestone of his half-century, his innings came to an abrupt and disappointing end. After a series of well-timed shots, he attempted to come down the track to face Washington Sundar, who had been introduced into the attack to provide a change of pace. In what could have been a match-winning knock, Labuschagne misjudged the delivery and ended up chipping a ball that, under different circumstances, could have soared over the boundary for six runs. Instead, it fell short and was caught by the fielder at mid on, a moment that left the Australian camp in disbelief and the Indian players visibly relieved. This unexpected dismissal not only halted the momentum that Labuschagne had built but also served as a critical turning point in the day's play, showcasing the fine margins that often dictate the outcome of a match in cricket.
The defining moment of the session came when Travis Head, a key player for the team, faced a delivery that would ultimately change the course of the match. In a moment that left both fans and teammates in disbelief, Head completely misjudged the trajectory and pace of the ball. Instead of defending his wicket with the precision and focus required at such a critical juncture, he allowed the ball to slip past him, resulting in a catastrophic error.The ball, which had been bowled with a deceptive line and length, pitched in a spot that seemed to invite a solid defensive stroke. However, Head's decision to leave it alone was a grave miscalculation. The ball, rather than passing harmlessly by, crashed into the top of off stump, a perfect delivery. This incident not only marked a significant turning point in the session but also served as a stark reminder of the pressures and challenges faced by batsmen in high-stakes cricket matches. Head's departure from the crease left a palpable sense of disappointment among the spectators, who had hoped to see him build a substantial innings. The implications of this mistake rippled through the team, as they now had to regroup and strategize without one of their most reliable players at the crease.
Travis Head’s wicket opened the floodgates, and from that moment on, wickets began to fall at an alarming rate for the Australian side. The dismissal marked a significant turning point in the match, as it not only shifted the momentum but also instilled a sense of urgency and pressure on the remaining batsmen. Mitch Marsh, who came in with an aggressive mindset, attempted to take the attack to the bowlers. However, his intent was short-lived as he soon found himself caught behind after trying to pull a well-disguised good-length delivery that seamed away just enough to catch the edge of his bat. This dismissal further compounded the woes of the Australian batting lineup and left the team teetering on the brink of collapse.
Following Marsh's exit, Alex Carey and Steve Smith entered the fray, and for a brief period, they appeared to stabilize the innings. Their partnership was crucial as they began to accumulate runs at a steady pace, alleviating some of the pressure that had built up following the earlier wickets. However, just when it seemed that they were gaining control, Carey fell victim to a sensational delivery—a perfectly pitched outswinger that drew him into a false shot, resulting in another catch behind the stumps. This wicket was particularly damaging as it not only broke the partnership but also shifted the balance of the game back into the hands of the bowlers.
In my view, the most pivotal moment of the day was indeed Travis Head's wicket. Head is known for his exceptional batting ability and his knack for scoring big runs when he is in form. His dismissal was not merely a statistic; it symbolized the crumbling of the Australian batting order. Once he was dismissed, the team's confidence visibly waned, and the flow of runs began to dry up significantly. The remaining batsmen were forced to adopt a more defensive approach, focusing on survival rather than aggression. As the pressure mounted, the subsequent fall of two more wickets only exacerbated the situation, leading to a desperate scramble to hold onto their wickets rather than score runs. In my estimation, Travis Head's wicket cost Australia an estimated 200 to 300 runs, and even though Australia won, a substantial loss.
Analysis By:
Agastya Fateh Narayanan
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