WATCH: Mohammed Siraj comes up with cold celebration after dismissing Usman Khawaja during MCG Test

Team India took the fight to the Australians as the bowlers kept taking wickets after sustained pressure with the ball. Mohammed Siraj put in a lion hearted performance just before lunch on day four of the MCG Test match on Sunday. The 30-year-old bowled a dream ball to dismiss Usman Khawaja for 21 to keep India’s hopes alive in the game. 

The dismissal happened in the fifth ball of the 19th over when Siraj bowled the perfect ball. khawaja didn’t move his feet as the ball moved a tad and hit the top of the off-stump. The Indian pacer was quick to put the finger on his lip and celebrate the wicket flanked by former India skipper Virat Kohli.

@bcci@CricCrazyV@SachinBhalothi7@imVkohli

Dsp siraj bowled Usman khawaja what a spell by dsp sahab🔥🔥🔥 DSP on fire in MCG pic.twitter.com/j4EIFlBJkc

— Sonu Jhangu (@s_jhangu) December 29, 2024

Earlier in the day, Sam Konstas was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah for 8 runs. The young batter was beaten for pace as his feet didn’t move and the ball hit the middle-stump. Bumrah was quick to ape Konstas’ antics with the crowd while celebrating his 26th wicket of the series. 

Also Watch:Jasprit Bumrah dismisses Sam Konstas in 2nd innings, imitates his celebration

Australia put under pressure before lunch 

Nathan Lyon ended India’s innings when he dismissed centurion Nitish Kumar Reddy for 114. This gave the hosts a huge lead of 105 runs heading into their second innings. Mohammed Siraj survived a close call when he was given not out in a debatable call by the third umpire to leave Pat Cummins upset. 

Indian bowlers came out all guns blazing and didn’t let Sam Konstas settle with their tight lines to the batter. The Aussie batters played and missed a lot of deliveries to show the pitch is still playing good with the new ball. Indian fielders backed up the bowlers with their tight fielding and constant chirping around the bat to keep the pressure on the batters. 

Usman Khwaja in particular was troubled by Bumrah as he played and missed at several deliveries. Akash Deep backed up his senior teammates well with impeccable lines as he troubled Marnus Labuschagne on several occasions. The visitors will hope to bowl the hosts for a low score to chase a decent total on the board. With five more sessions left in the contest the match is headed to an exciting finish before the final game in Sydney.