Tags: India tour of Australia 2024-25, Australia vs India, 4th Test at Melbourne, December 26-30, 2024, India, Australia
Published on: December 27, 2024
Scorecard | Comment | Graphics
India faced a tough outing on the second day of the ongoing Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), as Australia asserted their dominance early on before the visitors faltered with the bat during the last session. The day was marked by remarkable individual performances, intense drama and a charged atmosphere as the pendulum swung heavily in Australia’s favor.
Australia is piling up
Resuming the day at 331/3, the Australian batters continued to pile up the runs with authority. Australian middle-order stalwart Steve Smith showcased his class by scoring his 34th Test century in the morning session. Smith’s smooth stroke play kept the Indian bowlers on the back foot as he added crucial runs with the lower order.
Captain Pat Cummins also contributed significantly, falling woefully 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 at total. Jasprit Bumrah led India’s bowling effort, taking four wickets, but the hosts had already laid a solid foundation.
India’s shaky start
India’s shaky start
In response, India’s innings began with Rohit Sharma promotes himself to open alongside the in-form KL Rahul. However, the decision did not yield the expected result. Sharma’s stay at the crease was short-lived as he left after scoring just three points, canceled out by an ill-timed shot.
KL Rahul, who has been India’s most reliable batter in recent times, looked comfortable before being dismissed at the stroke of tea. His wicket was a major blow, leaving India in a precarious position at 51/2 heading into the final session.
Kohli faces hostile reception
Kohli faces hostile reception
The final session brought a moment of controversy and drama when Virat Kohli came out to bat, only to be met with boos from a section of the crowd at the MCG. The unwelcome reception given to the Indian talisman was in stark contrast to the usual applause he elicits on Australian soil, raising eyebrows among the cricketing fraternity.
Despite the pressure, Kohli showed glimpses of his resilience, but the road ahead remains difficult for India, facing a significant deficit. With Cheteshwar Pujara for company, Kohli will have to lead the fightback on day three.
Looking to the future
Looking to the future
The Indian order will have to step up their efforts if they want to succeed in this competition. The pitch at the MCG is starting to show signs of wear and tear, making it increasingly difficult to score. Australia, buoyed by their dominant performance so far, will look to capitalize on the situation and tighten their grip on the match.
The third day promises to be pivotal in the match. For India, this is an opportunity to stage a comeback, while Australia will aim to take an early lead in this crucial Test.
