After amassing a mammoth 443/7 in the first innings, team India was in the driver’s seat at MCG. The third day was the important one as it would decide the fate of the series that is squared up at 1-1. The visitors were wonderful with the ball and broke the opposition’s back, led by Jasprit Bumrah.
Resuming the first innings at the overnight score of 8/0, Australia lost Aaron Finch early for 8, courtesy Ishant Sharma. Jasprit Bumrah them came to the fore and dismissed Marcus Harris with a brutal bouncer. After losing the openers at 36/2, the hosts were in disarray.
There were absolutely no partnerships as India pounced on the opportunities. Ravindra Jadeja held one end and kept a check on the scoring. He also removed Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh to finish with figures of 45/2 from 25 overs. Mohammed Shami too got amongst the wickets as he castled Pat Cummins with a jaffa.
Bumrah bagged his career-best
But the pick of the bowler was Jasprit Bumrah. He looked like picking wickets in every over. When Australia bundled out for 151, Bumrah ended with magnificent figures of 33/6 from 15.5 overs. The Indian pacer accounted for wickets of the middle-order and removed the tail quickly.
India had a massive lead of 292 runs. Bumrah broke several records in his fiery spell. He became the only Asian bowler to take five-wicket hauls in South Africa, England and Australia in a calendar year. He also holds the record now for the most wickets in the debut year in Test cricket.
India opted not to enforce the follow-on. In the last session, they lost wickets in a clutter. At the end of day 3, the visitors were at 54/5. But having a lead of 346 runs, they still hold a huge advantage to go 2-1 up.
Here’s how Twitter saluted Bumrah’s masterful bowling
Australia ke liye Pain ,
Jasprit Bumrah this years biggest gain.
What a great effort from India to bowl out Australia for 151.
I pray the weather stays well and India win this MCG Test for the brilliant cricket they have played #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Oy2vEC7nPF— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 28, 2018
India have found a treasure in Jasprit Bumrah. So young and already so accomplished.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 28, 2018
What an outstanding bowling effort from India and a really special effort from Jasprit Bumrah. He has been the best bowler on display across both sides by some distance and has put India in a really dominating position #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/sP3A05b4Ti
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 28, 2018
My pick for the best bowler in the world currently across all 3 formats will be @Jaspritbumrah93 What a genius this lad is.#JaspritBumrah #AUSvIND #INDvAUS
— Shubham Khare (@shubhamkhare71) December 28, 2018
What a difference Jasprit Bumrah has made. I feel he has made the difference for the Indian attack from being very good to outstanding. 292 is a huge lead and India would be sensing one hand on the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Need to not give Australia a chance pic.twitter.com/GPTjxuEJ8f
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 28, 2018
Might b debatable but for me the best bowler across all formats and conditions…. Jasprit Bumrah…. You beauty 🙌🙌#AUSvIND
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) December 28, 2018
Jasprit Bumrah was fast-tracked in Test cricket this year. Proved to be a masterstroke. Has 45 wickets in 9 Tests with five-fers in South Africa, England and now Australia.
Currently one of the most intelligent fast bowlers in world cricket across all formats#AUSvIND— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) December 28, 2018
A splendid Jasprit Bumrah picks up six wickets as Australia are bowled out for 151, still behind by 292 runs!
India have decided against enforcing the follow-on. Good call? #AUSvIND LIVE ⬇️ https://t.co/XyVZQuQJZR pic.twitter.com/JNaCsCQAOL
— ICC (@ICC) December 28, 2018
Six wickets for Jasprit Bumrah. Australia 151. India will walk out to bat with a lead of 292 runs #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/z1pST3m7q5
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 28, 2018
Jasprit Bumrah becomes the first Asian bowler to take a five-for in each South Africa, England and Australia in a same calendar year in Tests.#AusvInd
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) December 28, 2018
Jasprit Bumrah in his Test debut year has five-wicket hauls in South Africa, in England and now in Australia!#AusvInd#AusvsInd
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 28, 2018
Virat Kohli doffing his hat to Jasprit Bumrah in recognition of the quick’s superb 6/33. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/jPckFyp0NY
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) December 28, 2018
Most wickets in this year in international cricket:
77 – Kagiso Rabada
76 – Kuldeep Yadav, Adil Rashid
75 – JASPRIT BUMRAH*
72 – Rashid Khan #AusvInd— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) December 28, 2018
Most overseas Test wickets for Asian pacers in a calendar year:
45 – Jasprit Bumrah, 2018*
43 – Mohammed Shami, 2018
42 – Imran Khan, 1977#AusvInd— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) December 28, 2018
An awesome display of fast bowling from Jasprit Bumrah!#AUSvIND | @Domaincomau pic.twitter.com/RcJAuIAPQh
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2018
What a ball by Jasprit Bumrah!! One of the most intelligent pacers in recent time!! #AUSvIND
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) December 28, 2018
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