Australia took firm control on day two of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, capitalising on a calamitous mix-up between Indian stalwart Virat Kohli and rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The costly run-out, coupled with a late flurry of wickets, saw the visitors crumble to 5-164 at stumps, trailing by a daunting 310 runs after Australia’s imposing first-innings total of 474.
Steve Smith was the star for Australia, crafting a sublime 140 – his 34th Test century and 11th against India, equalling records set by cricketing greats Brian Lara and Sunil Gavaskar.
Smith, at his idiosyncratic best, frustrated the Indian attack, sharing a crucial 112-run seventh-wicket partnership with captain Pat Cummins before eventually falling in bizarre fashion. After charging Akash Deep and edging onto his pads, Smith watched helplessly as the ball trickled back onto his stumps.
India’s chase began poorly as captain Rohit Sharma continued his dismal tour, departing for just three. Jaiswal and KL Rahul steadied the ship briefly with a 43-run stand before Rahul was undone by a brilliant delivery from Cummins that kissed the top of off stump. Kohli then joined Jaiswal in a determined 102-run partnership that threatened to shift momentum India’s way.
However, disaster struck late in the evening session when a fateful miscommunication between the pair led to Jaiswal’s dismissal. After stroking Scott Boland to mid-on, Jaiswal called for a quick single, only to find Kohli unmoved at the non-striker’s end, ball-watching. Stranded mid-pitch, Jaiswal was easily run out for 82, leaving the young prodigy devastated and the Australian fielders jubilant.
Kohli’s woes compounded shortly after as Boland, roared on by a packed MCG crowd, found his outside edge, sending him back for 36. India’s collapse continued with the dismissal of nightwatchman Akash Deep, caught at leg gully for a duck, leaving Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja unbeaten overnight.
The day also saw drama off the pitch as a fan breached security to hug Kohli during the morning session. The incident followed a wave of controversy sparked by Kohli’s shoulder charge on teenage Australian debutant Sam Konstas on day one, which earned him a fine and a demerit point from the ICC.
Australian public sentiment towards Virat Kohli, once a cricketing hero, has evolved to sharp criticism during what is likely his final tour. From boos to chants of “Kohli’s a wanker” rang out from sections of the Australian crowd, underscoring the polarising figure he remains.
The controversy peaked with The West Australian publishing a viral back page depicting Kohli as a clown. Kohli’s fiery exchanges with fans, including a heated confrontation caught on video, further added to the drama.
Social media buzzed with divided opinions, from criticism of Kohli’s aggressive antics to the newspaper’s portrayal, with some defending Kohli as a “brand in Australia” while others lamented his perceived “downfall.”
Australia holds the advantage, aiming for a 2-1 series lead, while India’s hopes rest on Pant and Jadeja to narrow the deficit and keep the Border-Gavaskar series alive.
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