India win their 150th Test match! And they go 2-1 up in this Border-Gavaskar series. Short from Ishant, and Lyon tries to pull. Takes the top edge, and Pant makes no mistake. Start the celebrations!
1.45pm And that's all the international cricket we have for 2018. What a brilliant year it's been for the sport. We'll see you in 2019, but before that, don't forget to catch up on our best stories from 2018. This is Sreshth Shah signing off, and on behalf of all of us at ESPNcricinfo, we wish you Happy New Year in advance.
Varahan: "Thank you EspnCricinfo staff for creating fantastic memories in 2018..Looking forward to more in 2019..."
Jeff: "The amount of credit given by the Indians to their first class system is telling. Time for a revamp Australia!"
1.28pm The post-game presentation now. India, by the way, have retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since they currently have the trophy. They can't lose this series anymore.
Jasprit Bumrah, The Man of the Match: "To play Test cricket is a great feeling: be it Boxing Day or any other day. I made my India debut in Australia, so great feeling. I always focus on consistency. When you have so many options, you may get confused. Someday you get wickets, someday another mate will, but we don't think about those. Bowled a lot, but I don't mind, because this is why we train. We bowl a lot in Ranji-Trophy cricket, and it pays off. When I made my ODI debut, I always just wanted to play Test cricket."
Virat Kohli: "We are not going to stop here. This has given us more confidence to play more positive cricket in Sydney. We've done well in all three departments, which is why we've retained the trophy. But we want to continue. This is how we played in South Africa too, and we're not ready for the final game. It's a good thing I don't read any comments or opinions (on not enforcing the follow on). I wanted us to bat more, and add some more runs, because batting would be difficult on day four and five. We knew that it would be tough for Australia, but credit to our bowlers, especially Jasprit. The three fast bowlers have broken the record for most wickets by pacers in a calendar year for a team, which is brilliant. I certainly feel proud as a captain when they bowl in partnerships. No one is looking to out-bowl each other. Our first-class cricket is amazing, which is why we won. Credit must go to first-class set-up in India, which challenges our fast bowlers in India, and that helps them abroad. Agarwal showed great character on Boxing Day. And Pujara has always been composed, so we just wanted a big partnership. And the fact that Vihari batted so long in the first innings, it allowed us to bat more confidently. And Rohit's 60-odd as well. (Can you be the first Indian captain to win a Test series?) Honestly I cannot answer that. Nothing can distract us from trying to win that final Test, because we've never been in a position to win a series. Thank you."
Tim Paine: "We made some strides forward in Perth, but this was disappointing. We're playing against some of the best bowlers, and we need to find positives before Sydney. Another huge challenge coming up. We had little discussions about the batting order, but conditions in Sydney will be different, so we'll decide on the best formula. The pitch was a good one, although some said it's a 'bad wicket'. I was glad I didn't win the toss, because I wanted to bowl anyway. Would've looked disastrous. Cummins has been superb all series. The quality was always there, but the Australian public can see his effort. We just need a few more guys to jump in with him. It's been a difficult year, but the silver lining is that we'll have some world-class players available for selection in a few months. And we'll see the benefits of what happened this year over the next few."
Shahz: "Aus couldnt reach india's first innings score in both innings. India's first - 443. Aus both - 151+261 = 412 ! India won an innings and 31 run.. Lol"
Sanjay: "Thank you Virat for rubbing in the salt! "Our first class cricket is Amazing""
1.18pm And Virat Kohli is jubilant! From first slip, he punched the air while running towards Ishant as soon as the wicket was taken. Handshakes between Paine, young Archie and Kohli. The rest of the team follows suit. Just 27 balls needed today to clean up the tail. A terrific way for India to end 2018 and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will remain with them, irrespective of what happens in Sydney. They now lead 2-1. Stick around for reactions from the two captains.
The Indian team is hanging around near the field to thank the fans who turned up today. They've been a patient lot, braving the inclement weather.
Records watch: Pant (20) now has most dismissals in a Test series for India. And Virat Kohli has just equalled Saurav Ganguly's record of 11 Away Test wins as captain.
Ankur Shah: "The question for India is, who should open the next match? Vihari doesnt seem to be ready for that role. "
Ankush: "Despite being on losing side, my MoM is Cummins. What amazing grit and fighting spirit. 80 runs and 9 wickets"
ryan Rattan: "Have you ever seen any passionate leader than Virat Kohli? He's like the Steve Jobs of cricket right now. A visionary, a believer, a team player!! Love to team India from Germany. My gin tonics did pay off tonight! Well played"
Kedar Kshirsaga: "The real question now. Bumrah or Mayank. Who's the man of the match? I feel it should be Mayank. Indian bowling has been good for some time now. The batting from the opener has made the real difference."
length ball on off, and he tiptoes to negate the rising delivery. Defended off the back foot
almost played on! Full on off, and while Lyon tries to defend, the ball takes the inside edge, hits his pads, and dribbles just past the leg stump
bowls stump to stump. Length ball aimed at off stump, and Hazlewood gets behind the ball's line before defending
short! Not so well directed. Hazlewood has no trouble in ducking under this
Ed: "Come on Bumrah, Go get that 10 wicket haul with the win."
yorker! But Hazlewood does well to squirt it away. Sticks his bat down, and shovels this to point
length ball on off, and Hazlewood backs away before defending off the back foot
India need one more wicket. Here's Bumrah from round the wicket to Hazlewood
edged and taken! Pujara takes a moderately difficult catch. Length ball angling into Cummins, and he's forced to defend. The ball swings away oh so slightly and when Cummins sticks his bat out, all the ball can do is take a thick outside-edge off his bat. Pouched at first slip. An excellent Test match for Cummins comes to an end
length ball on off, and angling into his body. Tapped off the back foot to mid-on
Mayank grabs the helmet. A short-leg for Bumrah. Attacking field placement
fuller from Ishant. Lands just outside off stump, and he offers the bat's full face to drive. Played to mid off
back of a length just outside off stump, and he covers his stumps by shuffling across. Defends thereafter
Saawank: "How's the pitch behaving after rain? Any change in batting condition? " -- Definitely extra bounce off every delivery. Wonder if it's because of the moisture
length ball, but not as quick. Lyon punches off the backfoot to cover, but not with any power. The ball rolls away to the infielder
Aravind: "Cummins reminds me of Jayadratha from the Mahabharata who, on his day, held the entire Pandava army at bay for a whole day."
length ball outside off, and this has gone straight through to the keeper. No lateral movement, so easy for Lyon to leave it alone
length ball on off, and angling in slightly. Stays on the backfoot to defend towards cover
Ishant bowling seam-up, instead of cross-seam like the previous over
slightly full outside off. Lyon wants to drive, but with absolutely no footwork. He misses
Janaki: "Took NZ all of 14 balls to wrap up the win this morning. Hope this one remains riveting for longer. Could be a historical battle. "
back of a length on off, and Cummins takes cover! Ducks under the ball's trajectory
length ball outside off again, and the ball takes a boomerang bounce off the deck before landing in Pant's gloves
length ball, just outside off stump, and Cummins goes fishing outside the stumps again. The ball whizzes past his outside edge
This session will be from 12:55 to 2:55pm. Final session from 3:15 pm onwards
length ball outside off, and he's happy to shoulder his arms on this occasion
length ball on the fourth-stump line and he tries to punch through the covers. Beaten for pace!
1W | ||||
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2W | ||||
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Melbourne Cricket Ground | |
Toss | India, elected to bat first |
Series | |
Season | 2018/19 |
Player Of The Match | |
Series result | India led the 4-match series 2-1 |
Match number | Test no. 2337 |
Hours of play (local time) | 10:30 start, Lunch 12.30-13.10, Tea 15.10-15.30, Close 17.30 |
Match days | 26,27,28,29,30 December 2018 - day (5-day match) |
Test debut | Mayank Agarwal |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee |