Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj had struggled to find his rhythm in the Test series so far, but he was at his best on Day 4 of the Boxing Day Test during Australia’s second innings in Melbourne.
Right from the start, Siraj looked in superb rhythm. When Marnus Labuschagne and Pat Cummins were building a solid partnership for Australia, Siraj provided India with the crucial breakthrough they needed.
It was a well-executed length ball outside off stump that seamed sharply back in, striking Labuschagne on the pad just above the back leg.
Umpire Michael Gough raised his finger after a loud appeal from the Indian players, but Labuschagne opted to review the decision.
The ball had hit Labuschagne a bit high, but ball tracking indicated that it was clipping the top of the middle stump.
๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐๐๐ง๐ฃ๐ช๐จ: ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐, ๐๐๐ฉ๐! ๐คช
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 29, 2024
Siraj catches Labuschagne off guard! Third wicket for DSP Sahab ๐ซก#AUSvINDOnStar ๐ 4th Test, Day 4 | LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/i3eMomntZl
That was enough for the umpire to uphold his original decision. Siraj, visibly pumped after picking up the wicket, celebrated in style, mimicking the way Australia’s Sam Konstas had engaged with the crowd earlier in the match.