It has been unmistakably Australia Day. It started with Steven Smith and Cummins extending their overnight stand to 112, as Smith scored his 11th Test ton against India. Overall, Australia added 163 runs to their overnight score, resulting in a dominant total.It’s been an interesting day, but the most dramatic moment was Jaiswal’s exit. Kohli probably should have acted immediately and taken the run. Remember, all of this is taking place with a Kohli subplot in the background, after he was chastised in parts of the Australian press for shoulder-bumping Sam Konstas.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s awful run-out handed Australia his wicket, ending a magnificent stand with Virat Kohli against the run of play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday in the Boxing Day Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Yashasvi Jaiswal had a heart-stopping moment when Scott Boland bowled the penultimate ball of the 41st over. It was a full length on off, and Jaiswal drove it crisply to Pat Cummins at mid-on before setting off on the run. Kohli, the non-striker, glanced at the fielder, shouting against the run and stood firm, but it was too late for Yashasvi Jaiswal. Watch the dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal was already at the other end, and while Cummins’ attempted direct hit missed the striker’s end, wicketkeeper Alex Carey caught it and smashed the stumps. It was the worst conceivable outcome for India just about 20 minutes before the Stumps. Kohli and Jaiswal have taken the score from 51/2 to 153/2.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma’s miserable run in Australia continued as India fell to 51 for 2 at tea after Australia used Steve Smith’s 34th century to build a tough first innings score.
Rohit (3) mistimed a pull-short, and Scott Boland had the simplest take at mid-on off Pat Cummins’ ball. The experienced KL Rahul (24), who came in at No. 3, was assured until the Australian skipper produced the delivery of the series at the stroke of tea to dismiss India’s finest batter on tour.
The ball moved away late after pitching, clipping Rahul’s off-bail and giving Australia a clear lead.
India is considerably behind in this game thanks to Smith’s 140, which propelled the hosts to a commanding first innings score. Starting the day on 311 for 6, Smith added 112 and 44 runs with Cummins (49) and Mitchell Starc (15), leaving the visitors looking for a backup plan.
Jasprit Bumrah (4/99 in 28.4 overs) was once again superb despite Sam Konstas’ first session battering, while Mohammed Siraj’s mediocre performance (0/122 in 23 overs) was the key cause for batters’ pressure to be relieved.
Smith, who was not out overnight on 68 off 111 balls, required another 56 deliveries on the second morning to accomplish his Test ton, putting him on par with the legendary Sunil Gavaskar (34).
India are at currently 164-5 in response to Australia’s 474 at the close of Day 2 of the MCG Test in Melbourne on Friday (December 27). The day resumed with Australia 311-6, as the hosts looked to surpass the 400-run mark. Steve Smith, unbeaten on 68, hit his 34th Test century, the second most by an Australian, and was ably backed by skipper Pat Cummins (49), taking Australia to 474. In response, India lost two quick wickets, but Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli put up a crucial 102-run stand before falling behind in the fourth and penultimate Test of the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
It’s been an interesting day, but the most dramatic moment was Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exit. Kohli probably should have acted immediately and taken the run. Remember, all of this is taking place with a Kohli subplot in the background, after he was chastised in parts of the Australian press for shoulder-bumping Sam Konstas.
Read Here:- ” Smith`s Ton Helped Australia scored 474 runs in first innings “
