The Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) delivered spectacular cricket but not without moments filled with tension and humor. Day 2 saw Australia’s veteran spinner Nathan Lyon unleashing a cheeky barb aimed at Indian cricketer KL Rahul after the latter batted at No. 3—a position he was not accustomed to due to Rohit Sharma’s return to the opening slot.
After Rohit Sharma managed only three runs before being dismissed by Pat Cummins, KL Rahul came to the crease, having been moved down after having opened alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the earlier Tests. Just as Rahul marked his guard, Lyon, known for his on-field banter, couldn’t resist and quipped, “What did you do wrong to bat one down?”
This light-hearted taunt by Lyon set the tone for what would be another action-packed day filled with both cricketing brilliance and the off-field narratives capturing the audience's attention as well. Fans on social media responded to the moment with laughter, making the video of Lyon’s remark go viral.
Rohit’s decision to reclaim his place at the top of the order raised eyebrows among fans and commentators alike, particularly since Rahul had proven to be India’s top performer at the beginning of the series, but this reshuffling seemed to backfire. With the early dismissal of Sharma as he attempted to play off Cummins' short ball, the team looked to the well-liked Rahul to stabilize the innings.
Despite Lyon’s comments, Rahul seemed unbothered, focusing on his batting and managing to put together 24 runs off 42 deliveries. Unfortunately, his innings came to an end just before the tea break when Cummins bowled a stunning delivery, which beat Rahul’s defenses and crashed onto the stumps. This left the Indian team facing great difficulties after Australia had set them up with a significant total of 474 runs.
Throughout the day, the pressure mounted on the Indian team as they struggled, with Virat Kohli slated to walk out next following Rahul’s dismissal. Kohli, having already faced hostility from the MCG crowd after his own fiery exchange with debutant Sam Konstas on Day 1, now found himself at the forefront again, with the hopes of the nation resting on him and the young Yashasvi Jaiswal.
India’s batting woes were highlighted not only by the loss of wickets at regular intervals but also Rohit’s paltry performance which continued to exemplify his struggles throughout the series. Historically, his performance has been criticized during recent outings, with his average dipping significantly this Test season. This marks Rohit’s seventh Test wicket at the hands of Cummins—a record ingredient for his batting frailty.
The match itself, full of contrasting fortunes, saw Steve Smith of Australia claim yet another century, bringing his total to 140 runs, as he played aggressively against the Indian bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah’s four-wicket haul. The Indian bowlers, trying desperately to contain the Australian batting line-up remained ineffective at times as Australia ended with solid partnerships to set their imposing total.
The chaotic atmosphere at the MCG wasn’t solely contained to the pitch; off of it, incidents such as Lyon’s sledging added lighthearted moments to the fierce competition. Cricket fans watching this session were not only treated to intense sporting prowess displayed but also the camaraderie and genial exchanges which lightened the mood of the event.
While India’s performance left much to be desired, the blend of skill and humor exhibited on and off the field cemented this as another memorable chapter not only for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but for Test cricket as it showcased the sport’s drama and entertainment beyond just the runs scored.
With the match still on and the stakes high, all eyes now turn to Kohli and Jaiswal, with both teams knowing every run counts as Australia look to build on their early lead.
