The Border-Gavaskar trophy hangs in the balance as India find themselves in a spot of bother at the end of day two of the crucial fourth test match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Despite fighting half-centuries from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and the talismanic Virat Kohli, the visitors still trail Australia’s imposing first innings total by a whopping 310 runs with half their side back in the pavilion.
Smith Piles on the Misery
Earlier, Steve Smith continued his love affair with the Indian bowling, notching up his 11th test hundred against them en route to a brilliantly crafted 140. The former Australian skipper’s knock was the cornerstone around which the hosts posted a mammoth 474 in their first essay.
Smith found an able ally in his captain Pat Cummins, the duo putting on 112 runs for the 8th wicket to drive home the advantage. Cummins fell just one short of what would have been a well-deserved fifty, but by then the damage was well and truly done.
Jaiswal and Kohli Fight Back
India needed a strong start to stay in the contest, but those hopes were dashed when Rohit Sharma fell cheaply yet again, pulling a Cummins delivery straight to Scott Boland at fine leg. However, young Jaiswal, in only his second test, showed great composure and technique to weather the early storm along with the experienced Cheteshwar Pujara.
Pujara’s dismissal just before tea brought Kohli to the crease, and the former captain looked in ominous touch from the get go. Kohli and Jaiswal combined in a century stand to briefly raise hopes of an Indian fightback, batting positively against the Australian quicks and spinner Nathan Lyon.
Boland Strikes Big Blows
Just when it seemed like India would get to stumps without further damage, a needless mixup resulted in Jaiswal being run out for a well-made 82. That opened the floodgates as the tireless Boland removed Kohli and night-watchman Akash Deep in quick succession to leave India tottering at 164-5, still facing a massive deficit.
“We let them off the hook a bit in the first session, but the boys stuck at it and to get those wickets in the last hour was a bonus. There’s still a lot of cricket left though, so we’re not getting ahead of ourselves.”
– Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori
India’s hopes now rest squarely on the shoulders of the flamboyant wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The duo have bailed the team out of jail many times in the past, but even by their lofty standards, erasing the deficit on a deteriorating pitch against a quality bowling attack could prove a bridge too far.
- India face a daunting challenge to stay alive in the series
- Smith’s stirring ton propels Aus to 474
- Jaiswal shines on Boxing Day debut
- Boland’s late burst leaves India reeling
With three full days left and the surface starting to play tricks, Australia have put themselves in pole position to secure the victory that would help them regain the coveted Border-Gavaskar trophy. For India, it will take something truly special from here on to prevent going 2-1 down with just one test to play. The odds are stacked heavily against them, but write off this Indian unit at your own peril!
India needed a strong start to stay in the contest, but those hopes were dashed when Rohit Sharma fell cheaply yet again, pulling a Cummins delivery straight to Scott Boland at fine leg. However, young Jaiswal, in only his second test, showed great composure and technique to weather the early storm along with the experienced Cheteshwar Pujara.
Pujara’s dismissal just before tea brought Kohli to the crease, and the former captain looked in ominous touch from the get go. Kohli and Jaiswal combined in a century stand to briefly raise hopes of an Indian fightback, batting positively against the Australian quicks and spinner Nathan Lyon.
Boland Strikes Big Blows
Just when it seemed like India would get to stumps without further damage, a needless mixup resulted in Jaiswal being run out for a well-made 82. That opened the floodgates as the tireless Boland removed Kohli and night-watchman Akash Deep in quick succession to leave India tottering at 164-5, still facing a massive deficit.
“We let them off the hook a bit in the first session, but the boys stuck at it and to get those wickets in the last hour was a bonus. There’s still a lot of cricket left though, so we’re not getting ahead of ourselves.”
– Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori
India’s hopes now rest squarely on the shoulders of the flamboyant wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The duo have bailed the team out of jail many times in the past, but even by their lofty standards, erasing the deficit on a deteriorating pitch against a quality bowling attack could prove a bridge too far.
- India face a daunting challenge to stay alive in the series
- Smith’s stirring ton propels Aus to 474
- Jaiswal shines on Boxing Day debut
- Boland’s late burst leaves India reeling
With three full days left and the surface starting to play tricks, Australia have put themselves in pole position to secure the victory that would help them regain the coveted Border-Gavaskar trophy. For India, it will take something truly special from here on to prevent going 2-1 down with just one test to play. The odds are stacked heavily against them, but write off this Indian unit at your own peril!
