While the whole batting unit faltered, the spotlight fell firmly on seniors Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, whose lean patches in recent times have become a matter of concern.
A dominant Australia hammered India by 10 wickets in the day-night second Test on Sunday to level the five-match series 1-1.
Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal were snapped up by Punjab Kings in a massive Rs 18 crore deals.
Jasprit Bumrah's incredible performance has prevented the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series from becoming completely lopsided in Australia's favour, said pace great Glenn McGrath, lauding the India spearhead for his ball-control and ability to adapt quickly.
KKR lorded over Sunrisers Hyderabad in Sunday's IPL final, winning the lopsided title clash by eight wickets.
Bumrah bowled 53.2 overs at the MCG, the most he has ever bowled in a Test match.
India will be accorded a tough welcome to Australia as the Optus Stadium pitch for the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been prepared to offer "good bounce and pace"
Ramandeep Singh showed great composure to settle under a high catch for the key wicket of SRH's Rahul Tripathi.
The good news is the team management has enough time on hand to think through the defeat and to find answers to the questions Adelaide has thrown up, around both its batting and bowling before the next test begins.
Pacer Mitchell Starc has expressed disappointment with International Cricket Council rating the Optus Stadium pitch as 'average' after Australia beat India in the second Test by 146 runs.
Daniel Vettori admitted that a resilient partnership between Indian tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep foiled their plans to enforce a follow-on
While the team battles it out on the field, the duo is focused on improving their performance, with the Indian pacers, including Prasidh Krishna, providing tough challenges in the nets.
Thirteen-year-old India U-19 cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi from Bihar is the youngest among the lot at Rs 30 lakh base price.
Mohammed Siraj charges down the wicket towards his teammates, without checking the umpire's decision when he thinks that he has got a batter out, said former Australia captain Mark Taylor.
'They have won everything but the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and they know that, they've spoken about that, this is the one they want to tick off.'
Legendary Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy has urged the Aussie pace attack to target Virat Kohli's front pad and body in order to get him out in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Healy believes the Australian quicks should exploit any insecurity in Kohli's form, which has been inconsistent in recent months. He suggests targeting Kohli's front pad with seam deliveries and then resorting to "body bashing" if the first tactic fails.
Images from Day 4 of the fourth Test between Australia and India at the MCG on Sunday.
Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc may be called up for his first Twenty20 international in two years against India on Sunday after replacing the injured Billy Stanlake in Aaron Finch's squad.
The entire Australian top-order that is feeling the "pressure" despite the series-levelling win in Adelaide
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc picked up his second five-wicket haul in the match to lead Australia to a comprehensive 366-run victory in the second Test against Sri Lanka and a 2-0 series win.
Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc says he let the noise get to him when India toured Australia two years ago but "couldn't care less" now as he gears up for the upcoming home Test series against Virat Kohli's team.
Australia are already without another regular all-rounder in Cameron Green, who was ruled out of the India series after opting to have surgery on a stress fracture in his lumbar spine.
Mitchell Starc had decided before the player's auction that he would not be participating in the IPL 2020
The Perth Test marks Bumrah's second stint as a stand-in captain, having also led his country against England in 2022, and he could not have been dealt a tougher hand.
'I've been bowling here for the Melbourne Stars, I know the pitch, I know the length.'
Images from Day 2 of the fourth Test between Australia and India at the MCG on Friday.
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc was reprimanded for "exaggerated celebration" after dismissing batsman Murali Vijay in the ongoing fourth and final Test in Sydney.
Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been ruled out of the fourth Ashes Test with a heel injury while England paceman Craig Overton will also miss the match in Melbourne with a fractured rib.
With 765 international scalps in his bag, Ashwin is the second-highest wicket-taker from India after Anil Kumble.
Selectors have recalled pace stalwart Hazlewood for the second ODI after he missed the MCG match to play Sheffield Shield cricket.
At this point it is still anyone's game, with a draw also an option, says Prem Panicker in his analysis of Day 4.
IMAGES from the IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 played between SunRisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders in Ahmedabad, on Tuesday.
Paine, who coached Australia A in the recent series against India A, witnessed Jurel's exploits in the second 'unofficial' Test where the 23-year-old scored an 80 and 68 at Melbourne.
Pakistan's ODI series victory in Australia showcased the raw pace and skill of their fast bowling attack, spearheaded by Haris Rauf.
'Hopefully the weather holds off, and then tomorrow it's just about coming in, having a crack, and see where we get to.'
Rahul Tripathi was a picture of sadness as he walked back towards the dressing room.
Konstas, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft among others are looking to get into the Australian XI as Khawaja's opening partner in the series against India.
Australia were grossly under-prepared for the India challenge, while pacer Mitchell Starc virtually ran out of ideas when Rohit Sharma smashed him for 29 runs in an over in their Super Eights match in Gros Islet (Saint Lucia), says former-cricketer Brad Hogg.
Feeling refreshed and stronger from the long break since COVID-19 put a halt to cricket in March, Starc hopes he might be able to return to top speed.
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has, inadvertently, left a message meant for Virat Kohli on a parody account of the India skipper.
