A record crowd of over 66,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) witnessed a remarkable victory for Australia, as Pat Cummins's team capitalized on a dramatic collapse from India, losing 7 wickets for just 34 runs in the final session to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
The turning point came when Rishabh Pant, tempted after Tea, mishit a half-tracker from part-time bowler Travis Head, leading to his dismissal to Mitchell Marsh at long-on. This reckless shot shifted momentum back to Australia, which had struggled to take wickets in the middle session. Following Pant's dismissal, Australia quickly claimed two more wickets within 27 balls.
Scott Boland struck first, getting Ravindra Jadeja to edge a rising delivery behind. Nathan Lyon then increased Australia's confidence by dismissing first-innings centurion Nitish Reddy for just 1 run, causing India to tumble from 121/3 to 130/6 and invigorating the Australian side.
Washington Sundar entered the fray with five close fielders around him, energized and eager for victory. Sam Konstas was particularly vocal, trying to unsettle both Sundar and Yashasvi Jaiswal from silly point. Cummins re-entered the attack after Boland's effective spell and made a significant impact by dismissing Jaiswal. The opener attempted a pull shot against a short ball but failed to connect properly. Australia appealed for caught behind, and although the on-field umpire initially turned it down, replays showed a clear deflection. The third umpire overturned the decision based on this evidence, leaving India in dire straits at seven down. Akash Deep then fell shortly after, nicking Boland's delivery to Head at forward short leg.
India's innings ended as it began—under pressure. Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli all succumbed to the new ball early in their second innings. Sharma edged a full delivery from Cummins to gully; Rahul was dismissed by an exceptional delivery from Cummins; and Kohli fell victim to his tendency to chase deliveries outside off-stump just before Lunch.
Despite some resistance from Jaiswal and Pant during the middle session that gave India hope for a draw, they found themselves facing an aggressive Australian attack with all nine fielders around the bat in search of two wickets with 15 overs remaining. Boland got Jasprit Bumrah to edge one to Smith at first slip before Lyon sealed the victory by trapping Mohammed Siraj leg before wicket.