Dharamsala: India defeated Australia by 8 wickets to win the fourth and final Test to complete what has been a fantastic home season for Indian cricket. The win in the final Test also powered India to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
KL Rahul brought up his sixth fifty (51*) of the series while Ajinkya Rahane, who was captaining the side in Virat Kohli’s absence, scored a quickfire 38 off 27 balls as India brushed off Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara’s dismissal to dash Australia’s tiny hopes at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium.
India pushed Australia out of the contest as the bowlers put up their hands and dismissed Steve Smith and Co for a paltry total of 137. A first-innings lead of 32 runs meant that India were set a 106-run target to bag the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
With the Indian openers – Murali Vijay and KL Rahul – knocking off 19 of 106 runs without much fuss, the hometeam was expected to win the match comfortably.
While Ravindra Jadeja was the star of the show with bat and ball on Day 3, it was Umesh Yadav, who set up Australian second-innings collapse with a hostile spell of pace bowling. Australia, for their misfortune, failed to cope with Umesh’s bowling and Bhuvneshwar Kumar rattling Steve Smith’s stumps made the matters worse for the touring side.
While Virat Kohli was left out of action in Dharamsala Test following a shoulder injury in Ranchi Test, Ajinkya Rahane did a fantastic job as a stand-in skipper in a series-decider. In what was his first match as Test skipper, the team did well and he must have been a happy man as the team crossed the finish line with a thumping win on Tuesday.
India seal series win in Dharamsala.
THAT'S IT! Series win for India. They have beaten Steve Smith and Co by 8 wickets in Dharamsala Test to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India have won all the series in this home season and have lost just a Test.
India 71/2 from 19 overs:
KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane have dashed Australia's tiny hopes. India cruising towards victory after some hiccups.
India 56/2 from 16 overs:
CRISPY AND CRUNCHY! Ajinkya Rahane eases some nerves two beautifully-timed fours. A lovely drive between bowler and mid-off, followed by a hook off Pat Cummins. India need 50 runs more to win the Test.
India 46/2 from 14 overs:
WICKET! What's going on here! Total chaos in the middle as Cheteshwar Pujara and KL Rahul's confusion cost India their second wicket. Pujara gets out run out as Glenn Maxwell smashes stumps having all the time in the world. India 2 down.
India 46/1 from 13.1 overs:
WICKET! Pat Cummins strikes. Murali Vijay edges one to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade. India 1 down as they chase series win.
India 40/0 from 10 overs:
4 byes, a four through the slip cordon, two crunching fours off O'Keefe's bowling and a few singles, India are making sure they don't bog down and allow Australia a chance
Dharamsala: India need 87 runs to win the match and the series. Australia require a maniac session full of wickets and hardly any runs to pull off a heist on Day 4 of the fourth and final Test of what has been an enthralling series is about to begin here on Tuesday.
