Mitch Marsh’s horror run of form with the bat has continued on day four at the MCG after an astonishing spell of bowling from Jasprit Bumrah left India dreaming of a miracle fourth Test victory. An Australian win or a draw appeared to be the only likely results at the start of the day, with India trailing by 105 runs after their first innings and the home side chasing quick runs.

But Bumrah had other ideas after almost single-handedly destroying the Aussie batting attack, to leave the home side reeling at 6-91 a short time after lunch. Bumrah started India’s onslaught with the early wicket of Sam Konstas for eight in sweet revenge for the quick after being belted by the 19-year-old during the Test debutant’s first innings half century.

Bumrah even mocked the Aussie youngster in a brutal send-off after waving his hands towards Konstas as he walked back to the pavilion. Bumrah could have had Usman Khawja out for two as well but the opener was dropped by Yashasvi Jaiswal, only for fellow quick Mohammed Siraj to bowl Khawaja for 21 a short time later.

Siraj also removed Steve Smith for 13 just after lunch when the first innings centurion tried to play an aggressive shot through the off-side and was caught behind by Rishabh Pant. From there on it was the Bumrah show as the world’s best bowler showed why he’s so highly regarded and why the quick has been Australia’s chief tormentor this series.

Jasprit Bumrah spell leaves cricket world gobsmacked

In a spell of bowling that left commentators, viewers and the fans packed into the MCG in disbelief, Bumrah delivered a dagger blow to the Aussies with three wickets in four extraordinary overs to surpass 200 Test wickets in his career. Bumrah had Travis Head out for just one after the leading run-scorer of the series chipped one to square leg for India’s century hero Nitish Kumar Reddy to take an easy catch.

Marsh was the next to go after lasting just four balls to be removed for a duck, prompting more questions about whether he’s played his last Test match for Australia. Marsh now has six single-digit scores in seven innings this series and has an average of just 11.60 for 2024. He’s also contributed very little with the ball, with fellow all-rounder Beau Webster surely in consideration for the Sydney Test.

While it could be argued that Marsh was facing an inspired spell of bowling from Bumrah, the reality is he really didn’t need to play at the delivery that proved his latest undoing. Bumrah banged one in short of the length that was going down the off-side and well over the stumps which Marsh inexplicably tried to dab away in a nothing shot that clipped his glove.

Calls for Mitch Marsh to be dropped after latest failure

Pant made no mistake with the catch as Marsh was sent packing after another major flop. And in his next over Bumrah also removed Alex Carey for two after crashing one into the stumps off the wicketkeeper’s pads for his 29th wicket of the series at an average of 12. The stunning scenes left viewers in awe of Bumrah’s brilliance, with many suggesting Marsh’s time in the side is up.

Marnus Labuschagne hits brave 50 amid onslaught

Marnus Labuschagne did it tough after battling through the onslaught from Bumrah, despite copping a number of vicious deliveries to his body. Labuschagne also rode his luck after Jaiswal dropped his second catch of the innings when the Aussie was on 46. And Labuschagne made him pay after notching a hard-fought half century to steady the ship for the Aussies.

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He and skipper Pat Cummins got the Aussie total past 100 runs for the innings to stretch the lead past 200 for the match. But the home side will need to build upon that and hope they leave themselves with enough time to take 10 more wickets if they hope to take a 2-1 series lead into the fifth and final Test in Sydney.

One positive for the Aussies is the fact Mitchell Starc has brushed off an injury concern from day three when he received treatment on a back complaint, before returning to bowl at over 140km/h. With fellow quick Josh Hazlewood already out of the series an injury to Starc would be a devastating blow but the veteran insists he’ll be good to go in the second innings. “All good… my pace didn’t drop. I’m ready to go today,” he told SEN.