Team India pace bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah bowled one of the best balls of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 to get rid of Australian batter Travis Head in the fourth Test in Melbourne. Travis Head’s sizzling form needed something special, and that’s exactly what Jasprit Bumrah produced.
Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat first at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday, December 26. The home team got off to a flying start with aggressive batting from debutant Sam Konstas. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne also scored half-centuries to put pressure on India.
Watch: Jasprit Bumrah Leaves Travis Head Flabbergasted with an Absolute Peach
The incident took place on the 67th over of Australia’s first innings. Travis Head decided to shoulder arms to a back-of-a-length delivery just outside off from round the wicket. Head felt it wouldn’t seam in, but the ball seamed in and hit the top of off. The batter had to depart without adding runs to his tally.
cricket.com.au shared the video on X (formerly known as Twitter) with the caption, “BUMRAH SEEDS TO GET HEAD FOR A DUCK!”
Have a look at the incident right here:
BUMRAH SEED TO GET HEAD FOR A DUCK!#AUSvIND | #DeliveredWithSpeed | @nbn_australia pic.twitter.com/ZlpIVFca5O
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024
Marnus Labuschagne’s Dismissal Triggered a Collapse in Australia’s Innings
Australia resumed the post-tea session on the opening day at 2-176, with Steve Smith (10*) and Marnus Labuschagne (44*) unbeaten. Labuschagne reached a half-century but was dismissed for 72 runs off 145 balls after attempting an attacking shot off Washington Sundar.
Labuschagne’s dismissal triggered a collapse in Australia’s innings. Travis Head was dismissed after adding just three runs in a partnership with Smith. Mitchell Marsh was also dismissed for four runs, leaving Australia at 246/5.
Smith and Alex Carey are trying to stabilize the innings after a mini collapse. Australia was at 279/5 at the time of writing, with Carey (18) and Smith (62) at the crease.
Sam Konstas Became the Second-Youngest Australian to Score a Test Fifty
Sam Konstas ramped Jasprit Bumrah three times, putting the Indian quick under pressure for the first time in the series, with Bumrah conceding his first six in 4483 Test deliveries. Konstas relentlessly charged at India’s pacers, scoring runs all over the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the first innings.
The scoring tempo slowed after Konstas’ departure, with Team India struggling to break the growing partnership between Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne. The pair added a 65-run stand, with Khawaja reaching a half-century. However, Khawaja was dismissed for 57 after a mis-hit off Bumrah.
Earlier, Australia made changes to their playing XI ahead of the Boxing Day Test, with Konstas replacing Nathan McSweeney. Scott Boland replaced the injured Josh Hazlewood, who had to leave the third Test. On the other hand, India made one change, with Washington Sundar in place of batter Shubman Gill.
Also read: Watch: First since 2021! Sam Konstas creates history with outrageous sixes against Jasprit Bumrah