Australia defeated India by 185 runs in a thrilling fourth Test match of the BGT at the MCG to all but guarantee their place in the Final of the World Test Championship (WTC) after solidifying their position on the table.
Australia posted a strong total of 474 in their first innings, anchored by Steven Smith, who scored a brilliant 140 off 197 balls. He was well-supported by Sam Konstas (60), Usman Khawaja (57), and Marnus Labuschagne (72), although Australia’s lower order crumbled. Pat Cummins (49) and Nathan Lyon (13) added valuable runs, but Travis Head (0) and Mitchell Marsh (4) fell cheaply.
India’s first was led by Yashasvi Jaiswal (82) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (114), who resisted Australia’s bowlers. However, India’s other batters faltered with Rohit Sharma (3), KL Rahul (24), and Virat Kohli (36) all dismissed cheaply. Rishabh Pant (28) and Washington Sundar (50) briefly held firm, but India fell short, finishing at 369 and giving a key advantage to the hosts.
Australia’s second innings was marked by a collapse under pressure. Jasprit Bumrah took 5 wickets for 57 runs, dismissing key players like Konstas, Head, and Carey. Contributions from Marnus Labuschagne (70) and Pat Cummins (41) took Australia to 234 setting India an unlikely total of 340 on the final day.
Jaiswal (84) and Pant (30) resisted Australia before Pat Cummins (3 wickets) tore through the Indian lineup. The visitors were eventually bowled out for just 155 runs in 79.1 overs, with Virat Kohli (5), KL Rahul (0), and Rohit Sharma (9) all failing to contribute again.
| Rank | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Draws | Deductions | Points | PCT (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 88 | 66.67 |
| 2 | Australia | 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 118 | 61.46 |
| 3 | India | 18 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 114 | 52.78 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 81 | 48.21 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 45.45 |
| 6 | England | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 22 | 114 | 43.18 |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 45 | 31.25 |
| 8 | Pakistan | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 40 | 30.30 |
| 9 | West Indies | 11 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 24.24 |
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