India versus Australia Test Series, 2024

4th Test

Day-2 Morning Session Highlights:

Australia team has maintained the strong momentum with Steve Smith’s century

At The Lunch of Day-2:

Australia scored 454/7 (1st Innings) vs India

Steve Smith scored his 11th Test century against India — the most by any batter against this opposition — as Australia continued their dominant progress at the MCG on the second morning.

India were further frustrated as Pat Cummins, playing a breezy knock, added 49 runs before being dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja.

Australia went into Lunch at 454/7.

The morning session began with a contest between Smith and Jasprit Bumrah, who consistently got the ball to angle in and straighten, testing Smith’s patience.

While Smith acknowledged the quality of Bumrah’s deliveries, he survived without a dismissal.

Akash Deep also had Smith on edge, but without success as Australia accelerated at a quick pace.

Bumrah’s five-over spell cost just 13 runs — including a six from Smith — but at the other end, Akash Deep gave away 30 runs in his five overs.

After the drinks break, Smith reached his 34th Test century — and his fifth at the MCG — with a stylish drive through extra cover off Nitish Reddy.

He then took advantage of a wayward Mohammed Siraj, smashing him for a four and a six in the same over.

Cummins joined in the fun, and India were uninspiring with the ball and sloppy in the field.

Rohit Sharma replaced Nitish with Ravindra Jadeja, who struck immediately, dismissing Cummins for 49 as the Aussie captain misjudged a delivery and was caught by Nitish running to his left from mid-off.

However, Smith continued to punish India, sweeping Jadeja for a four and welcoming Washington Sundar for Siraj with a paddle sweep boundary.

Rohit turned to his star pacer Bumrah late in the session, but Starc marked his return with a six over long-on on the first ball.

By the end of the over, Bumrah had conceded 94 runs, his most in a Test innings, which summed up India’s lack of control in the game.

Australia accumulated 143 runs in 27 overs at a brisk pace of 5.30 runs per over, further cementing their dominance in the match.