The fourth test of the ongoing Border Gavaskar trophy has come to an end with Australia beating India by 184 runs. The men in blue were chasing a target of 340 runs, where they could only put 155 on the scoreboard. Now, Australia has taken a lead in the five match series by 2-1.

The Aussies scored 474 in the first innings and 274 in their second. The hosts could dismiss Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli early at a mere score of 33 runs. In the noon session, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant took charge scoring 84 and 30 respectively. Yashasvi was declared out after a controversial dismissal, while Pant was caught while playing a pull shot. None of the other batsmen could cross the single digit mark.

Nathan Lyon took four wickets being the top wicket taker from Australian side. Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc were the star wicket takers. After Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy failed in the middle order. Jasprit Bumrah was sent back to the pavilion at the ball of Scott Boland followed by a thrilling catch of Steve Smith at the slip. The last wicket partnership between Washington Sundar and Mohammad Siraj was put to an end by Nathan Lyon, restricting India at 155 in their second innings.

The flaws here and there took the match away from India. When there was no wicket in the noon session, and the whole team fell eventually later. The Indian team struggled with the bat with no able partnership after Jaiswal and Pant. Also, Bumrah’s five wicket haul went in vain.  

The opening test in Perth was a historic win by India. Australia levelled by winning at Adelaide. Gabba at Brisbane turned to a draw. After today’s win, Australia has taken a firm lead in the BGT. Head plucked the stumps and gave to Kostas who debuted in the Brisbane test.

Meanwhile, South Africa has qualified for the WTC final securing victory against Pakistan and rising to the top position in the test rankings. India slipped to third after today’s loss and is out of the race of WTC. This is the first time India will not play the final of the World test championship. South Africa and Australia will fight for the title.

The dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Akashdeep have stirred controversy and shall be debated further. The contrasting results question the use of DRS. Let us wait for Friday and see what strategy India comes up with, at the Sydney test.