Indian Batters Collapse as Australia Clinches Boxing Day Test in Border-Gavaskar Series

Australia secured a dominant victory over India in the Boxing Day Test held at Melbourne as part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series. Chasing a target of 340 runs set by the hosts, India was bowled out for just 155 runs, handing Australia a commanding 184-run win. This triumph gives Australia a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Despite a valiant half-century from young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 84 runs, the rest of the Indian batting lineup faltered. Rishabh Pant partnered briefly with Jaiswal, attempting to stabilize the innings after India lost three early wickets for just 33 runs. Pant contributed 30 runs before falling to a catch by Mitchell Marsh off Travis Head’s bowling. Together, Jaiswal and Pant added an 88-run partnership, but their efforts proved insufficient.

Once Pant was dismissed, India’s chase unraveled further, with wickets falling in quick succession. Jaiswal’s dismissal at 84 marked the end of any resistance, and India was all out in 79.1 overs.

Australian bowlers were instrumental in the victory, with captain Pat Cummins and Scott Boland each claiming three wickets. Nathan Lyon took two, while Mitchell Starc and Travis Head picked up one wicket apiece. Cummins was named 'Player of the Match' for his all-round performance, which included six wickets and 90 runs across both innings.

In their first innings, Australia scored 474, followed by 234 in the second innings. India managed 369 in their first innings but fell significantly short in the second.