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On Friday, December 27, the hosts, Australia had the better of Day 2 against India in the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test match at Melbourne Cricket Ground. After adding 163 runs to their overnight score of 311/6 to put a formidable score of 474 on the board, the Australian pacers shone with the ball, sending half of the Indian side back to the pavilion on Day 2 of the ongoing Test.
After 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas posted 60 off 65 deliveries, he was well supported by Usman Khawaja (57 off 121) and Marnus Labuschagne (72 off 145). But, Steve Smith was the star for the hosts, who scored his 34th Test ton early on Friday. Skipper Pat Cummins also contributed brilliantly with the bat, falling short of a half-century by just one run, but stitched 112-run stand for the seventh wicket. Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah once again stood apart, clinching four wickets, whereas Ravindra Jadeja took three, while Akash Deep got two and Washington Sundar too got a wicket to his name.
Team India suffer a collapse on Day 2; trail Australia by 310 runs at Stumps
On the other hand, Team India kickstarted their procedings in the middle on Day 2 after bundling out Australia at the score of 474. While skipper Rohit Sharma, who reclaimed the opening spot, had a forgettable outing in Melbourne, getting out after scoring just three runs off five deliveries. KL Rahul, who was demoted to number three, in place of Shubman Gill, also departed having scored just 24 runs off 42 deliveries.
While Yashasvi Jaiswal was looking settled in the middle, he was joined by Virat Kohli. But a mix-up in the middle, led Jaiswal depart after having scored 82 off 118 deliveries. Thereafter, Virat Kohli also could not do much good as he was dismissed off Scott Boland’s delivery at the scored of 36. Akash Deep, who walked up the order, serving as a night watchman also could not do much with the bat, leaving Australia in a dominant position.
After 46 overs, Indian scorecard read 164/5 with Rishabh Pant (6 off 7) and Ravindra Jadeja (4 off 7) in the middle with India trailing by 310 runs. For Australia, skipper Pat Cummins and pacer Scott Boland starred with the ball, picking two wickets each.
