Melbourne [Australia]: The unique bail-switching antics made a humorous return during the thrilling final day of the fourth Test in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia at the MCG.
On Monday morning, amidst a gripping battle for survival, quick wickets, and some impeccable boundary-hitting, a lighthearted exchange between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mitchell Starc stole the spotlight.
In the 35th over, as Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant began to look threatening, Starc resorted to a cheeky distraction. Returning to his bowling mark, he switched the bails at the non-striker’s end. Jaiswal, unfazed, noticed the change and restored the bails to their original position. Starc, amused, grinned broadly and exchanged a few words with Jaiswal after the delivery.
Cricket.com.au shared the moment on X, drawing comparisons to similar antics in the series. During the third Test, Mohammed Siraj attempted a bail switch, only for Marnus Labuschagne to reverse it promptly. Their banter carried over into the fourth Test, with Siraj once again engaging in the trickery and playfully showcasing his actions to Labuschagne.
Crucial Moments Unfold
While the lighthearted antics added some levity, the on-field action remained intense. Usman Khawaja fell to Jasprit Bumrah, misjudging a pull shot and gifting his wicket. Meanwhile, India’s chase of a daunting 340-run target faced significant hurdles.
After Rohit Sharma’s dismissal, KL Rahul followed suit in the same over for a five-ball duck, leaving the team in a precarious position. Adding to the drama, Virat Kohli lost his wicket to Mitchell Starc just before lunch, lured into a drive by the left-arm pacer.
However, Jaiswal and Pant stepped up, delivering stability and launching a counterattack. The pair found gaps frequently, punishing the tiring Australian bowlers with crisp boundaries and injecting hope into India’s chase.
As the match progressed, the humor of the bail-switching tricks was overshadowed by the tension on the field, showcasing the unpredictable charm of Test cricket.