Steve Smith scored his 11th Test century against India, the most by a batter against this opposition, as Australia continued to dominate at the MCG on the second morning. India were also upset on the other end, as Pat Cummins swung his bat around for a quick 49 before being removed by Ravindra Jadeja.
Australia scored 143 runs and lost only one wicket in the first session. Tailenders Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Scott Boland added a few overs to Australia’s already massive score.
Smith and Jasprit Bumrah squared off early in the morning session. The Indian pacer caused the angled deliveries to straighten from length and square up the Australian hitter. Steve Smith repeatedly acknowledged the brilliance of the ball, but unfortunately for India, none had his name on it.
Jasprit Bumrah was India’s best bowler with 4/99, followed by Ravindra Jadeja with three wickets and Akash Deep with two wickets. Mohammed Siraj had a dismal outing, scoring 0/122 and conceding runs at nearly five per over.
Akash Deep also drew a lot of fake attempts from Steve Smith, but none were successful as Australia surged forward quickly. Bumrah’s five-over spell cost 13 runs, including a six from Smith, but runs came at a faster rate from the other end, with Akash Deep conceding 30 in his five. Smith reached his century – his 34th in Tests and seventh at the stadium – with a drive past extra cover against Nitish Reddy before smashing Mohammed Siraj for a four and a six in the same over.
The hosts reached 311/6 in the 86 overs bowled, On the first day of the Boxing Day test. Debutant opener Sam Konstas helped Australia get off to a fast start, scoring 65 runs off 60 balls. He attacked India’s best pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, early in the game. His opening partner Usman Khawaj scored his maiden half-century in the series before getting removed for 57.
Marnus Labuschagne also contributed a valiant 72 before Washington Sundar finished his innings.
India took only two wickets in the opening two sessions, as Australia reached 223/2. However, Jasprit Bumrah did what he does best, taking quick wickets as the hosts lost three wickets for nine runs. Akash Deep, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar each claimed a wicket.
Despite a considerable decrease in temperature and a nip in the air, Indians failed to take advantage of the semi-new Kookaburra, with lines running awry and lengths too short to be punished. Cummins was allowed to settle in and hit seven boundaries.
Although skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir decided to drop Shubman Gill, the strategy of fielding two spinners has backfired, with Ravindra Jadeja (2/72 in 18 overs) and Washington Sundar (1/49 in 15 overs) not looking penetrative.
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