Australia faces off against India on the second day of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and the hosts have taken substantial control of the match. With significant contributions from Australian batters, particularly from Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc, the team climbed to impressive heights with their first innings total.
Starting the day with spirits high, Australia aimed to expand their total from the overnight score of 311 for 6. Steve Smith, after finishing at 68 not out on Day 1, quickly surpassed his century, marking his 34th Test hundred. His brilliant innings, alongside aggressive hitting from Starc, left the Indian bowlers unable to find answers. Australia ended the first session at 454 for 7, having added 143 runs for just the loss of one wicket.
Starc's performance wasn't just limited to his bowling prowess; he showcased his hitting skills as well. During the lunch, he hit Jasprit Bumrah for a massive six, illustrating his aggressive mindset. The scene was electrifying, with the crowd cheering as he connected beautifully during the 111th over of Australia's innings, leaving the Indian captain Rohit Sharma searching for answers from his bowlers.
Despite the disarray, it appeared as though the Indian team was beginning to change their strategy. Following lunch, Starc was dismissed for 15 runs, bringing the volume down as Australia's wickets started to fall with greater frequency. Smith, pushing forward with confidence, did not relent and continued to accelerate, reaching his 140 before falling victim to Akash Deep when the Indian bowler sent one past his defenses.
Criticism arose from former Indian coach Ravi Shastri, who noted, "Australia all the way. India ran out of ideas, absolutely no doubt about it. The bowling was pretty ordinary. They ran out of ideas. Took way too long to get spin onto the attack." This reflection echoed throughout the day, exposing the continues struggles of the Indian side to find their rhythm with the ball.
With Australia reaching 455, their total continued to rise up to 466 runs before two quick wickets fell. Following the dismissal of Smith, focus shifted back to the Indian side as they saw the opportunity to wrest control back from Australia. But with the match heavily favoring the hosts, India needed to find clear direction if they were to climb back.
Beyond the cricket action, the day witnessed minor chaos when a fan managed to breach security measures and entered the MCG. Fortunately, the fan was dealt with quickly but not before engaging with Indian star Virat Kohli. This unplanned distraction was yet another highlight among the day’s events.
With the thrilling first innings of the fourth Test still underway, the match delivers excitement to audiences worldwide. Australia's solid performances against India have set the stage for Day Three with elevated expectations.
