Day 2 of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the MCG saw fortunes swing from one end to the other for the visitors.
First, the Aussies posted 474 in their first innings, resuming on their overnight score of 311/6. Veteran Steve Smith, who scored his 34th Test hundred—same as Sunil Gavaskar—put on 112 runs with skipper Pat Cummins (49) and 44 with Mitchell Starc (15) to frustrate the Indians. Jasprit Bumrah took 4/99.
In reply, India were off to a familiar start—captain Rohit Sharma (3) was dismissed cheaply by Scott Boland, trying to pull the ball to the on-side. KL Rahul (24) steadied the ship once again, this time in the company of young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was looking in good touch.
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But, Rahul fell to a peach of a delivery from Cummins, leaving India on 51/2. In walked Virat Kohli, fresh from the ICC sanction and bashing by Australian media over the shoulder-barging incident yesterday involving Sam Konstas. The star Indian batter, however, was determination personified, as he and Jaiswal put on a century-run stand to pull India out of trouble.
I have watched this clip multiple times, both are my favourites. Jaiswal’s call but Kohli is very good at taking quick singles. Kohli should have taken that run, Jaiswal was running at the danger end. A good 100 partnership but this runout ruined everything.💔 pic.twitter.com/UseP8a8Qgq
— Halla Bob (@kalalbob25) December 27, 2024
The duo looked in good nick, till disaster struck in the 41st over. Batting on 82, Jaiswal clipped the full ball towards mid-on and set off for a single. Kohli was not interested in the run, and so, both ended up on the same side of the pitch. Cummins threw it to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who did the rest, leaving the youngster short of a well-deserved century. 153/3.
The terrible mix-up seemed to have affected Kohli's focus, as he fell an over later for 36, caught behind by Carey off Boland—once again, pushing at a length ball outside off away from his body. The score read 154/4.
With Rishabh Pant at the other end, and stumps looming large, India sent out pacer Akash Deep as the nightwatchman. But, he fell to Boland for nought, trying to fend a rising delivery. 159/5.
Pant (6*) and Ravindra Jadeja (4*) saw out the rest of the day, to take India to 164/5. They still trail by 310 runs, and need to cross 275 to avoid follow-on.
