Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah produces masterclass to flip Boxing Day Test on its head

Jasprit Bumrah has pulled off another classic spell to decimate Australia’s top order and give India a chance at a special Boxing Day Test victory.

The Indian pace sensation engineered a collapse of 4-11 in 21 balls at the MCG on Sunday, subtly leaving Australia at 6-135 at tea on day four.

Australia’s lead has grown to 240 after they took a 105-run lead in their second innings when they bowled out India for 369 for 17 minutes in the first session of the day.

Marnus Labuschagne (65 no), who had a life on 46 when Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped his second of three catches of the day, anchors the Australian innings, while captain Pat Cummins (21 no) provides support.

India’s bowling strategy on Sunday was clear: attack the stumps.

During a frantic three-over period after lunch, Bumrah claimed the wickets of Travis Head (1), Mitch Marsh (0) and Alex Carey (2), giving him figures of 3-4 for the period.

India now have more than a chance to pull off a special Boxing Day Test victory

Head’s dismissal, a soft catch at square leg, was Bumrah’s 200th Test wicket.

The 31-year-old reached the milestone of 200 wickets with a better career average (19.56) than any bowler in history.

Bumrah has 33 of the 63 wickets India have taken in this Border-Gavaskar series at a paltry average of 12.34.

Before lunch, Bumrah exacted revenge on Sam Konstas for the teenage debutant’s Boxing Day ramp-fest.

Veteran opener Usman Khawaja avoided falling victim to Bumrah for the sixth time in the series.

But as Khawaja (21) looked settled, the left-hander was bowled by Mohammed Siraj, who silenced the crowd as Australian fans booed him since he gave Travis Head a send-off in Adelaide.

After writing himself into Boxing Day folklore with a gutsy 60 on Thursday, Konstas was eight out in his second Test innings when Bumrah rattled his stumps.

The 19-year-old has loved every minute of his Test debut, interacting with the crowd and taking selfies with spectators.

The Indian great was a standout performer in this series

Bumrah reached the milestone of 200 wickets with a better career average (19.56) than any bowler in history

When Bumrah dismissed Konstas, the world’s No. 1 Test bowler threw his hands in the air at the strong Indian contingent sitting in the Ponsford Stand.

The 31-year-old’s celebration seemed to echo what Konstas had done with the crowd during fieldwork.

A brilliant maiden century from Nitish Kumar Reddy took India past the follow-on target on Saturday after the tourists found themselves in trouble at 5-164 in reply to Australia’s 474.

Reddy, just 21 and playing in his fourth Test, helped India add another 11 runs to their overnight score of 9-358.

Scott Boland was the favorite of the Australian bowlers with 3-57 from 27 overs.

Australia bowled 120 overs at India as the effects of a grueling series appear to be taking their toll on Mitchell Starc.

The star underwent treatment on his back on day three but continued to bowl at top pace for Saturday’s final session.

Starc has toiled for 25 overs in this Test, adding to the 24 he bowled in Brisbane.

Jasprit Bumrah left Australia in shock after taking three wickets in just eleven balls

Boland was recalled to the XI after star pacer Josh Hazlewood was broken for the second time in the series at the Gabba.

The fitness of Australia’s bowling attack will be a major factor in determining the outcome of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

This Test will last five days, a rarity in modern cricket in Australia, meaning the players will have just three days off before the final kicks off at the SCG.

With the five-match series level at 1-1, India will retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy if they pull off an extraordinary comeback win in this Test.

Reserve batsman Josh Inglis has been ruled out for the remainder of the series after suffering a calf injury while fielding on day two.