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'Superstar': Cummins brilliance leaves fans in a frenzy

Yahoo Sport Australia

An astonishing ‘never-say-die’ batting display from Pat Cummins has sent the internet into overdrive on day four of the third Test.

Cummins came in to bat with Australia seemingly on the verge of a Test defeat at the MCG – the hosts reeling at 6-157 and well short of the 399-run target set by India for victory.

The Aussie quick watched captain Tim Paine and Mitchell Starc fall beside him as India looked destined to waltz away with a huge win on day four.

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The tourists were in with a good chance of getting the two wickets needed for victory, meaning the Aussies were forced to bat for an extra 30 minutes on Saturday.

However, it proved no problem for Cummins who notched a spectacular half century, before navigating his way safely to stumps on 61 not out.

Cummins dug in with a gutsy unbeaten half century on day four. Pic: Getty
Cummins dug in with a gutsy unbeaten half century on day four. Pic: Getty

The Aussie quick’s gutsy innings sent fans into a frenzy on social media.

Australia’s pursuit of a mammoth target of 399 started in miserable fashion at the MCG, where the hosts reached 2-44 at lunch on day four of the third Test against India.

Jasprit Bumrah struck with his second delivery of the day, which Aaron Finch inexplicably steered straight to an ecstatic Virat Kohli at second slip.

Marcus Harris was undone by the third delivery he faced from left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja.

Usman Khawaja was the next to fall for the home side, trapped in front LBW for 33 off the bowling of Mohammed Shami.

The Aussie’s faint hopes of salvaging a result seemed to disappear when Shaun Marsh copped a harsh LBW decision to b out for 44.

Mitch Marsh only added 10 runs after his brother’s dismissal – caught by Kohli after a rash cover drive went straight down the Indian skipper’s throat.

Australia made it to tea on 5-138 with Head and Paine at the crease, still 261 runs shy of the target set by the visitors.

However, Head fell for 34 in the final session after being bowled by Ishant Sharma, before Paine’s resistance was broken when he was caught behind off the bowling of Jadeja for 26 runs.

Shami then sent Starc back to the pavilion for 18 runs a short time later after a wicked in-swinger rattled the Aussie’s stumps.

Australia needs a further 141 runs on the final day to seal an improbable win.