4th Test
Day-2 Evening Session Highlights:
Australia team has retained the complete control despite Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 82 runs
At The Stumps of Day-2:
India scored 164/5 (1st Innings), where as Australia scored 474 (1st Innings).
So, finally India trail by 310 runs.
Australia maintained their firm grip on the MCG Test despite a resilient effort from Yashasvi Jaiswal, as India finished Day 2 at 164 for 5, trailing the hosts by 310 runs.
Scott Boland and Pat Cummins played key roles after Steve Smith’s brilliant 11th Test century against India—the most by any batter in this format.
Jaiswal, having struggled in Adelaide and Brisbane, displayed composure and determination against the Australian bowlers, confidently using his footwork against the pacers and handling Nathan Lyon comfortably in favorable batting conditions.
He aggressively took on Mitchell Marsh, setting himself up for a potential century.
Virat Kohli, too, played a disciplined innings, allowing deliveries outside off-stump to go through while offering solid judgment, which was critical as the Aussie quicks tried to tempt him with a well-populated slip cordon.
Kohli’s solid defense allowed him to grow into the innings, pulling and flicking the ball with confidence.
However, in the final hour, indecision led to the downfall of both batters.
First, Jaiswal was run out for 82 after a mix-up with Kohli while taking a single.
Just seven balls later, Kohli edged one from Scott Boland to depart for 36.
Boland followed up by dismissing nightwatchman Akash Deep, leaving India five wickets down at stumps.
The foundation for Australia’s dominance was laid by Smith’s century in the morning, where he overcame early challenges from Jasprit Bumrah and scored freely off the change bowlers.
Mitchell Marsh’s spell and the lackluster performance from India’s bowlers, including Mohammed Siraj, who went for 122 runs in 23 overs, helped Australia extend their total.
Smith’s partnership with Pat Cummins added quick runs, and even after Jadeja dismissed Cummins for 49, Smith brought up his 34th Test century, his fifth at the MCG.
He continued to dominate after his milestone, taking on Jadeja and Washington Sundar with ease.
The Lunch break was a brief respite for India, but they struck early in the second session as Jadeja cleaned up Mitchell Starc and Deep dismissed Smith with some luck, as a shot through the off-side ricocheted off Smith’s leg to dislodge the bails.
Bumrah quickly wrapped up the innings, but India’s response was again found wanting.
Rohit Sharma, opening the innings, was dismissed cheaply by Cummins for a failed pull shot.
KL Rahul and Jaiswal built a promising stand, but Rahul fell to a delivery from Cummins that straightened off a length, cleaning him up at the stroke of Tea.
The turning point for India was the breakdown of the Kohli-Jaiswal partnership, which had looked promising.
In the end, India lost three wickets for just six runs, allowing Australia to maintain full control of the match.
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