Indian batters drop momentum to let Australia slide ahead on second day of MCG Test

Team India could have finished the second day of the MCG battle on an absolute high, only to be reduced to a middling number after a series of mistakes left the visitors rattled. Steve Smith was behind the wheel for Australia as he knitted a crucial partnership with Pat Cummins to push India back.

Smith (140) was the leader of the pack while Cummins fell agonizingly short of a half-century as he was removed by Ravindra Jadeja. Smith continued his assault alongside a resilient Mitchell Starc (15) and Nathan Lyon (13) whose cameos were handy enough to keep the Aussies in the driver’s seat.

By the time India could wrap Australia up, they posted a staggering total of 474. Jasprit Bumrah was the shining light for India with figures of 4/99 while Ravindra Jadeja complemented him well with numbers of 3/78.

India got off to a shaky start as they lost their captain Rohit Sharma (3) early. However, weathering the early storm, the visitors fought back strongly. KL Rahul (24) looked good for his stay in the center while Yashasvi Jaiswal played a phenomenal knock up front again.

Despite the fall of Rahul, Jaiswal was joined by Virat Kohli in the center and the duo seemed in total control. Adding 102 runs for the third wicket, Jaiswal wanted to up the scoring tempo. Trying to sneak a run from a very risky situation, the southpaw was left reeling at the other end of the crease as Pat Cummins ran him out for 82.

Virat Kohli fell in quick succession, poking one outside the off as Alex Carey had no trouble in pouching the catch. Akash Deep, who was sent in as a night watchman l, was no match for Scott Boland either as India lost half their side at the end of day’s play. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja stayed unbeaten and will have to pull off a herculean task if the visitors are to wring themselves out of the ordeal.

Brief scores:

Australia – 474 (Steve Smith – 140, Jasprit Bumrah – 4/99)

India – 164/5 (Yashasvi Jaiswal – 82, Scott Boland – 2/24)