On Day Two of the Boxing Day Test, Australia set India a formidable target after posting 474 runs, led by Steve Smith's impressive 140 runs. The day unfolded with dramatic moments as Australia lost their last wicket early, but not before establishing dominance with substantial contributions from their batters. Smith’s century marked his 34th Test ton, as he gave the Australian side a significant upper hand heading to India's innings.
India’s response got off to the worst possible start as they lost their captain, Rohit Sharma, for just 3 runs. Pat Cummins delivered the ball of the match, which caused Rohit to misjudge a pull shot, leading to the simplest of catches for Scott Boland. This early wicket set the tone for the innings, leaving India at 1-8.
Despite the initial setback, India showed commendable resilience with young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and seasoned KL Rahul at the crease. After losing Rohit, Rahul, promoted to No. 3, looked promising, but his wicket fell just before tea when Cummins delivered another gem of a ball which clipped the off bail, leaving India at 2-51.
Smith's innings exemplified class and determination, guiding Australia from 311 for 6 at the start of the day to their all-out total. His century came after having cautious days, where he showed patience before accelerating, especially against the Indian bowling attack which was getting increasingly desperate.
Cummins’ bowling has been key throughout the series, and his deliveries to dismiss both Rohit and Rahul have showcased his exceptional skills, drawing comparisons to his past performances against the likes of Joe Root during the Ashes. "It was pure fast bowling artistry," remarked analysts, who recognized the subtlety of Cummins' approach and execution.
On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah stood out for India, capturing 4 wickets for 99 runs and showing his mettle even when the other bowlers struggled. His performance provided glimpses of hope for India, especially after some poor initial outings from Mohammed Siraj, who went wicketless.
After lunch, Australia added only 19 runs to their total before witnessing the controversial dismissals of Smith and Mitch Starc within the first eight balls of the session. Smith’s bizarre dismissal saw him bottom edge the ball onto the stumps as he attempted to hit across the line. Despite the early wickets, Australia's lead was too substantial to be overcome easily.
India’s batters came out after lunch needing to consolidate, and Jaiswal was able to find some rhythm, easing his way to 38 runs. Alongside him, the beautiful cover drives of Virat Kohli delighted the audience, who have been waiting for the star to flourish again, especially after some quiet games during this series.
With two wickets down but plenty of time left, the Indian side attempted everything to rebuild their innings. "They lost an early wicket and have settled well, showing resilience," said commentators as the players navigated their way through the strong Australian bowling assault.
Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja, who scored 57 earlier, remains focused on his own career, recently stating he would play as long as he can contribute. The popular Victorian, who opened up well for Australia, played with maturity, weathering the initial storm before accelerating the scoring rate.
The match remains poised as audiences fervently watch how the contest will evolve, with the pressure heavily placed back on India. With Kohli and Jaiswal showing promise after the tea break, supporters hold their breath, hoping for the Indian side’s recovery on the pitch at the MCG, which has been known to favor bowlers, especially as the game heads toward the final days.
The fourth Test is far from over, and both teams will look to exploit every opportunity moving forward. Australia, already having built what looks to be a fortress of runs, will aim for early wickets when they bowl again, and India, with their key players back at the crease, still have their eyes on making a substantial fightback.
