The Boxing Day Check in Melbourne reached an exhilarating conclusion on Monday, as Australia secured a spectacular 184-run victory over India within the last hour of play.
With lower than 14 overs remaining within the day, Nathan Lyon claimed the final Indian wicket, dismissing Mohammed Siraj and sending the MCG crowd of over 74,000 into wild celebrations.
The dramatic end marked the tip of a fierce contest between the 2 cricketing giants.
This win places Australia 2-1 up within the five-match Border-Gavaskar collection and in a powerful place to reclaim the trophy.
To safe it, Australia solely must keep away from defeat in Sydney, with the reigning ICC World Check Championship winners additionally positioning themselves for a spot in subsequent 12 months’s last at Lord’s.
Australia stays in second place within the World Check Championship standings and has an opportunity to satisfy South Africa within the 2025 one-off Check last, offered they win any of their three remaining Exams within the cycle.
India can nonetheless qualify for the World Check Championship last, however should win the ultimate Check in Sydney to stage the Border-Gavaskar collection. They may even want Australia to falter in Sri Lanka subsequent month to maintain their hopes alive.