Cricket fans call out detail in Pat Cummins photo after epic Aussie victory in fourth Test

Lost amid Australia's incredible victory in the fourth cricket Test against India was Pat Cummins' decision to don a helmet and put himself in the firing line for the good of the team. The match appeared to be heading towards a draw when Australia failed to take a wicket in the middle session on Monday.

But the match was turned on its head when the Aussies took seven in the final session for a famous victory. When Nathan Lyon trapped Mohammed Siraj lbw for the final wicket, the Aussies had no less than eight men in close around the bat.

Cummins was fielding at leg-gully on that occasion, but just a few minutes before he was wearing a helmet and fielding at a close cover position. It's extremely rare to see a Test captain put himself in the firing line and field under the helmet, and even rarer for a fast bowler to do so.

Cummins actually put himself at risk of missing the fifth Test in Sydney if he copped a blow and suffered an injury, but he did so in the off chance a catch would go his way. As we saw in the first Test in Perth when the skipper came out to bat as night-watchman to face a fired-up Jasprit Bumrah, Cummins isn't afraid to face the music and put himself in uncomfortable situations for his teammates.

Cricket writer Bharat Sundaresan wrote on social media: "Captain Cummins. Walked in as night watcher in Perth and has now put himself in at silly mid-off with a helmet on. Doing it all." Fans were also taken by Cummins' bravery and leadership.

Pat Cummins revels in 'best ever' Test victory

Speaking after Australia's victory by 184 runs, Cummins labelled it the best Test he's ever been involved in. The Aussies hold a 2-1 series lead heading into the fifth and final Test, and need to win the series outright to reclaim the Border-Gavasker Trophy.

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If India can win in Sydney they'll retain the trophy, but a win for Australia or draw would see Cummins get his hands on it for the first time in 10 years. Cummins compared the epic MCG win to the opening match of the 2023 Ashes series when he was central to Australia chasing down 281.

"Everyone as we were walking off, trying to work out where it sits," said Cummins, who was awarded the Johnny Mullagh medal for player of the match after making key scores of 49 and 41 and taking six wickets. "I reckon that's right at the top. Edgbaston (2023) was pretty special and I reckon that's pretty much on par. That was amazing."

But for all the drama, momentum shifts and an epic crowd, Cummins believes it was "the best Test match I've been involved in". The Aussies were in celebration mode on Monday evening, but will need to re-focus on turn their attention to the SCG Test starting Friday.

Mitch Marsh is facing the axe after another underwhelming performance with bat and ball, while Mitchell Starc might not be available after battling through a back injury in Melbourne. "He's a warrior," Cummins said of his long-time pace partner. "His pace didn't drop off. He never even contemplates not being an option to bowl. Other being in pain, he's fully fit and available."