The second day of the crucial 4th Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground brought a rollercoaster of cricketing action. Australia dominated initially with a solid batting performance, but India’s response showed both promise and peril, setting the stage for a gripping continuation.
Steve Smith sizzles with impressive ton
Australia resumed their innings from an overnight score of 311 for 6, with Steve Smith and Pat Cummins at the crease. Smith, in particular, was in sublime touch, crafting his 34th Test century with a score of 140 off 197 balls, a masterclass in batsmanship. Cummins played the perfect foil, scoring a valuable 49, and together they stitched a significant 112-run partnership for the 7th wicket. Eventually, Australia was all out for 474, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the Indian attack, taking four wickets for 99 runs.
India’s initial fightback ft Yashasvi Jaiswal
India’s innings started with an early jolt when captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed for three by Pat Cummins, followed by KL Rahul‘s departure for 27, also to Cummins. However, young Yashasvi Jaiswal and the experienced Virat Kohli managed to stabilize the innings, with Jaiswal playing a standout innings, scoring 82 off 121 balls including his half-century. By the end of the afternoon session, India had reached 153 for 2, trailing by 321 runs but showing signs of a fightback.
Also READ: AUS vs IND: Fans mercilessly roast Virat Kohli after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s unfortunate run-out on Day 2 of the Melbourne Test
Jaiswal’s wicket triggers a collapse
The evening session was pivotal as India lost momentum. A mix-up led to Jaiswal’s run-out, a moment that shifted the game’s balance. Kohli, who seemed set for a big innings, was caught by Smith off Scott Boland for 36. The collapse was compounded when Akash Deep was dismissed for a duck by Boland, leaving India at 164 for 5 at stumps, with a deficit of 310 runs. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja were the unbeaten batters, tasked with the challenge of rebuilding on Day 3.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Scotty’s got Virat again and the MCG crowd is UP AND ABOUT! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/F1ZWtUhyYM
— Aussies Army🏏🦘 (@AussiesArmy) December 27, 2024
Century for the GOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Back to back centuries in the BGT. The GOAT of the Test cricket is back .
He never stopped owning India.#AUSvIND #INDvsAUSpic.twitter.com/LRG9XRQxUU
— 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 🦘🇦🇺 (@AdvocateMessi) December 27, 2024
An innings to remember for Steve Smith and Australia at the MCG 🙌
More on Smith’s 34th Test century 👉https://t.co/J61UxdLF7T
#AUSvIND | #WTC25 pic.twitter.com/DN9sHRYjtI— ICC (@ICC) December 27, 2024
“This is 2019 version of Steve Smith. He is putting on a show at MCG today ” – Mark Nicholas pic.twitter.com/FVLPA6btNa
— JustMyThoughts (@shaibal_27) December 27, 2024
Kohli again getting out on the outside off stump delivery and later was seen crying in the crowd.
Without the contribution of Jaiswal, Indian would have been in the deep trouble.#BGT2024 #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/EX6cljshDK
— 𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫 (@unfunny_Writer) December 27, 2024
When everything is going well for India then there comes a horrible runout. #INDvsAUS
In 2020 in 2024
Virat Kohli. Yashasvi Jaiswal. pic.twitter.com/ftfb5SXbKM— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) December 27, 2024
Evil smile from Kohli aka chokli after he got Jaiswal out. 💔 https://t.co/PwtXauJhbo pic.twitter.com/QVTOtLCWU2
— ً (@Ro45Goat) December 27, 2024
People love to criticise Virat Kohli.
But Yashasvi Jaiswal’s run out was not Kohli’s fault.
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) December 27, 2024
Horrible end to a great partnership between Kohli and Jaiswal. 🥲 pic.twitter.com/tgWPPdWnCw
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 27, 2024
Really thought Steve Smith was done. But he forced his way back to form against the best team going around. What a champ! pic.twitter.com/95RxpxhtY2
— Westen (@Wessy_x) December 27, 2024
