Should they play with enough killer instinct to secure a win on Tuesday, the Melbourne Test will stand as another landmark achievement in India's history of overseas victories. It would add to a prestigious list of wins outside Asian soil, such as those in Jamaica and Johannesburg in 2006, Perth in 2008, Durban in 2010, Lord’s in 2014, and Johannesburg in 2018.
Few would have imagined India could be on the verge of one of their most legendary Test victories after the absolute catastrophe of the Adelaide match, yet here they are.
India finished their first innings with a lead of 131 runs, but they missed a chance to extend that gap when Ravindra Jadeja (57) ran out captain Ajinkya Rahane, who was batting resolutely on 112. This sparked a slide where India lost five wickets for only 32 runs, eventually being bowled out for 326.
Despite the blow of Umesh Yadav being forced off with a calf injury, the Indian bowlers remained clinical on Day 3, restricting Australia to 133/6 by the time stumps were drawn.
The bowling effort was led by Jasprit Bumrah (1-34) and R Ashwin (1-46), while Jadeja (2-25) and Mohammed Siraj (1-23) provided essential support. Umesh Yadav managed to pick up a wicket before leaving the field for scans.
Before the Boxing Day Test began, Australian captain Tim Paine had boldly claimed that India would be held to a lead of less than 150 and that his team would score over 350—predictions that proved to be entirely wrong.