Tags: India tour of Australia 2024-25, Australia vs India, 4th Test in Melbourne, December 26-30, 2024, India, Australia
Published on: December 27, 2024
Scorecard | Comment | Charts
India faced a tough outing on the second day of the ongoing Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), with Australia asserting their dominance early before the visitors faltered with the bat in the final session. The day witnessed fantastic individual performances, high drama and a charged atmosphere as the pendulum swung strongly in Australia’s favour.
Australia pile on the run
Resuming the day at 331/3, the Australian batters continued to run strongly. Australian middle-order stalwart Steve Smith showed off his class by notching his 34th Test century in the morning session. Smith’s smooth batting play kept the Indian bowlers on the defensive, as he added crucial runs down the order.
Captain Pat Cummins also contributed significantly, agonizingly falling short of a well-deserved half-century when he was dismissed for 49. The Australians added 143 runs in just 27 overs before lunch, taking their total to 474 runs. Jasprit Bumrah led the Indian bowling effort, taking four wickets, but the hosts had already laid a solid foundation.
India is off to a shaky start
In response, India’s innings began with Rohit Sharma promotes himself for opening Along with the in-form KL Rahul. However, the decision did not produce the desired results. Sharma’s stay at the crease was short-lived as he departed having scored just three runs, undone by an ill-timed shot.
KL Rahul, who has been India’s most reliable batsman in recent times, looked comfortable before being dismissed for a tea knock. His wicket was a massive blow, leaving India in a precarious position at 51/2 going into the final session.
Kohli faces a hostile reception
The final session brought a moment of controversy and drama when Virat Kohli walked out to bat, only to face boos from a section of the crowd at the MCG. The unwelcome reception to the Indian talisman was in stark contrast to the usual applause he receives on Australian soil, raising eyebrows among cricketers.
Despite the pressure, Kohli has shown glimpses of his resilience, but the road ahead for India remains challenging as they face a huge deficit. With Cheteshwar Pujara in the company, Kohli will need to lead the fight on day three.
Looking forward
India’s top order will need to step up if they want to make a play in this competition. The MCG pitch was beginning to show signs of wear, making goals increasingly difficult to score. Australia, buoyed by their dominant performance so far, will look to take advantage of the situation and tighten their grip on the match.
It is expected that the third day will be pivotal in the match. For India, it is an opportunity to make a comeback, while Australia will aim to push for an early advantage in this crucial Test.
