For most of the previous two years, Travis Head was a nuisance to Team India. In the 2023 World Test Championship and ODI World Cup finals, he each hit a century. In the current series, when India was ahead 1-0, the flashy batsman hit a century in Adelaide to tie the score. He struck a tonne again in the third Test at Gabba, further hurting India.
In the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 31-year-old was supposed to be India’s greatest threat, but instead he made one in the second innings and recorded a duck in the first. The Adelaide native’s pathetic shot on Day 4 in particular went right to Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was positioned at foolish mid-off. In addition, Bumrah became the fourth-fastest Test bowler to reach 200 Test wickets with that.
Watch the video below:
Jasprit Bumrah takes his 200th Test wicket and follows it up with 201 just moments later!#AUSvIND | #MilestoneMoment | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/NpiXDBaVDI
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2024
The 31-year-old pacer, however, didn’t stop there; shortly after, he sent Mitchell Marsh reeling. The all-rounder struggled to get going with the bat in the lead-up to the Melbourne Test due to extreme pressure. After he nicked one to Rishabh Pant in the 34th over of the match, Bumrah, who appeared unplayable for much of Day 4, sent him back to the pavilion for a four-ball duck.
For Team India, the celebration continued. Alex Carey was also ousted by Jasprit Bumrah, who was having a good game.
After surviving seven deliveries, the India international used a peach to clean him up. Carey was dismissed for two when he bowled a good-length delivery that got past his defence and smashed the stumps. Australia’s second innings score dropped to 91/6 as a result.
Watch the video below:
Australia have lost 4-11 in 21 balls and Jasprit Bumrah has taken 3-3 in 11 balls! #AUSvIND | #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/s8g9lSamrF
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2024
The credit for Bumrah’s consecutive wickets also goes to Rohit Sharma, the captain. The field placement that was set up for Head was ideal, and he pulled the pacer back at the correct moment, taking two more wickets.
India
