India pulled off one of their greatest Test wins, chasing down Australia’s fourth-innings target of 70 runs to secure victory by eight wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Even without star captain Virat Kohli, India levelled the series at 1-1 to become the first touring side to win consecutive Boxing Day Tests in Melbourne since England in 1982 and 1986.
Here are the 6 key factors that led to India’s win in boxing day test.
1. Ajinkya Rahane’s calm captaincy:
Ajinkya Rahane’s calm captaincy ensured the ghosts of Adelaide would be buried in a spectacular display of batting, captaincy and bowling. In the first innings, he played a big knock scoring a century, but got run out by Marnus Labuschangne at 112. It was the attack and counterattack method for Jadeja and Rahane that took India past 300 runs and helped India establish a lead of over 100 runs. Interestingly, Rahane maintains a 100 per cent record as a captain, so far.
2. The spin Attack
Ravichandran Ashwin came as a surprise for Australian batsman to bowl as early as the 11th over. In Australian conditions, getting a spinner this early was rare. Ashwin immediately rewarded Rahane with the wicket of Mathew Wade in 1st innings, who played an awkward shot and got caught for 30 runs. Ashwin took a total of 5 wickets in boxing day test match.
3. Ravindra Jadeja- The X Factor
Jadeja’s presence made up for Umesh Yadav’s injury. On top of that, his all- rounder performance on the field as well as the partnership with Rahane ensured that India always dictated terms to Australia. Jadeja took a total of 3 wickets in both the innings which includes wickets of Opening batsman Mathew Wade in 2nd innings and Captain Tim Paine.
4. Mohammed Siraj impresses in test debut
Siraj stepped in the absence of senior pacers Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav to help India bundle out Australia for 195 and 200 in the two innings of the 2nd Test. Siraj took 2 wickets in the first innings while grabbing three in the second. Siraj got the wicket of Cameron Green in both the innings while he had Marnus Labuschagne 1st innings and Travis Head and Nathan Lyon 2nd innings.
4. Shubman Gill's debutant Knock
Budding opener Shubman Gill, who replaced Prithvi Shaw for the MCG Test, was impressive in both the innings. His decisive footwork drew praise from all around the cricketing world. It will be interesting to see whether he retains his spot with Rohit Sharma's arrival
5. Bumrah the leader of the attack
Bumrah produced tremendous seam and bounce, something which the Australian bowlers could not. High-quality swing and seam, as well as spin, are two of Australia’s weaknesses and Bumrah utilized it brilliantly. His six wickets in Melbourne, especially the breaking of the 86-run stand in the first innings that might have given Australia momentum was crucial.
6. Australia: An unusual tactic by the Australians
The Australian batsmen perished in both the innings. None of them recorded a 50+ score in the game. It was a rather unusual tactic by the Australians, who played at a slow pace.
Even Steve Smith couldn't sail them through. Notably, his 8 and 0 runs in both the innings has become the second-lowest aggregate for him in a Test, wherein he has been dismissed twice.
