India beat Australia by 8 wickets at Melbourne to level series 1-1

India cruised to a 8-wicket win against Australia to level the four-match series 1-1. Chasing 70, India reached the target in just 15.5 overs with the loss of just 2 wickets. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane and debutant Shubman Gill took India home.

Earlier on Tuesday, Australia were all out for 200 in their second innings leaving India 70 to win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia had resumed the day at 133 for six with Cameron Green on 17 and Pat Cummins 15.

They frustrated India’s depleted attack for more than an hour before losing Pat Cummins (22), batting all-rounder Cameron Green (45) and Nathan Lyon (3). All the three wickets were picked by pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. With nine wickets down, the lunch was delayed by half an hour, in which Ravichandran Ashwin managed to castle Josh Hazlewood.

Debutant pacer Mohammed Siraj (3/37) took three wickets while Jasprit Bumrah (2/54) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/28) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2/71) took two wickets apiece.

Australia won the first Test in Adelaide by eight wickets. The third Test will begin on January 7 in Sydney.

Brief Scores: Australia: 195 and 200 in 103.1 overs (C Green 45, M Wade 40, M Labuschagne 28; M Siraj 3/37, R Jadeja 2/28, J Bumrah 2/54) India: 326 and 70 for 2 in 15.5 overs. (S Gill 35 not out, A Rahane 27 not out; M Starc 1/20, P Cummins 1/22).