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Australia Seizes Control on Day Two of Fourth Test Against India at MCG

PC - twitter/BCCI
The Melbourne Cricket Ground was buzzing with excitement on the second day of the fourth Test between Australia and India, as Australia established an imposing lead, thanks to a masterful innings by Steve Smith and a late collapse by the Indian batting lineup.

Australia's Dominance with Bat

Resuming their innings at 311 for 6, Australia’s batting continued to flourish under the bright Melbourne sun. Steve Smith, who had already settled in the previous day, notched up a brilliant century, scoring 140 runs before being dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah. His innings was marked by a blend of classic defense and audacious stroke play, showcasing why he’s considered one of the best batsmen of his generation. Smith’s century was his 34th in Test cricket and his 11th against India, a testament to his dominance in this rivalry.
 
Support came from unexpected quarters with Sam Konstas, on his Test debut, contributing a valuable 60, which included some fearless shots against the Indian pace attack. Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, also chipped in with a gutsy 49, helping to push Australia’s total to a daunting 474 before they were finally bowled out.

India's Batting Struggles

With such a high score to chase, India’s openers, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, started with an intent to rebuild. Jaiswal, in particular, looked in fine form, scoring a brisk 82. However, a critical moment came when Jaiswal was run out due to a misunderstanding with Virat Kohli, shifting the game’s momentum dramatically. This run-out was not just about losing a set batsman but also about breaking a promising partnership that had started to challenge the Australian bowlers.

 

The Indian innings then took a nosedive. Rohit Sharma was dismissed cheaply by Cummins, and Kohli, who looked set for a big score, fell to Scott Boland for 33, victim to a delivery he would usually leave alone. Boland, returning to his hometown pitch, was particularly effective, ending with figures of 2/24, including the scalps of Kohli and the debutant Akash Deep, who was out for a duck.

 

By the close of play, India was in a precarious position at 164 for 5, still trailing by 310 runs. Rishabh Pant, unbeaten on 6, and Ravindra Jadeja on 4, faced the challenge of not just survival but also of salvaging some pride for their team.

Key Highlights and Turning Points

  • Steve Smith’s Century: His innings was a masterclass, both in technique and temperament, providing Australia with a backbone around which their innings was built.
  • Jaiswal’s Run Out: A pivotal moment that changed the complexion of the game, leading to a collapse in the Indian innings.
  • Boland’s Late Strike: His spell at the end of the day was critical, breaking the back of the Indian batting with his accurate seam bowling.

Looking Forward to Day Three

India now faces a daunting task. They need a substantial partnership from Pant and Jadeja, followed by contributions from the lower order, to avoid the follow-on and keep the match competitive. The pitch, while still good for batting, has begun to show signs of wear, potentially offering more assistance to the bowlers as the match progresses.

Australia, on the other hand, will look to bowl India out quickly to enforce the follow-on or set a massive fourth innings target. The bowlers, particularly Boland and Cummins, will aim to exploit any early movement to take quick wickets.

The third day promises more drama and possibly some redemption or further dominance, depending on how India reacts to their current predicament. With the series on the line and the World Test Championship points at stake, every session from here on out could be crucial.
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