Jadeja takes crucial catch in the deep to dismiss Matthew Wade despite outfield collision | Test Series 2020-21
Jadeja takes crucial catch in the deep to dismiss Matthew Wade despite outfield collision | Test Series 2020-21
Debutants Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill combined to remove Australia’s set batsman Marnus Labuschagne in the middle session.
After surviving a close DRS review due to Umpire’s call, Paine managed to not get run-out.
The third umpire Paul Wilson decided to give the benefit of doubt to the batsman and Paine got away with this almost run-out.
Rishabh Pant was fairly confident that he had disrupted the stumps in time.
The first day of the Melbourne Test belonged to India. They did lose Mayank Agarwal early to Starc but Shubman Gill has shown splendid poise on debut after getting a reprive very early.
Close of day 1: India 36-1
Shubman Gill 28*
Cheteshwar Pujara 7* in reply to Australia’s 1st innings total of 195.
Centuries for India in Boxing Day Test vs AUS
Sachin (1999)
Sehwag (2003)
Kohli (2014)
Rahane (2014)
Pujara (2018)
Rahane (2020)*
Rahane’s century takes India’s lead over Australia to 82 runs. Rahane led from the front on Day 2 as he smashed a century off 195 balls to take India’s total to 277/5 at Stumps. Credit to Jadeja for staying in with him and at the same time, he kept the scoreboard ticking as well. The duo added 88 runs in the final session and are still going strong.
India with the lead of 82 runs and 5 wickets in the pocket are well and truly on top! On Day 3, Rahane and Jadeja will look to continue batting and grow the lead as big as they could. Australia, on the other hand, will get under the pump after every single run from here. They will have to take the remaining 5 wickets quickly or else the game might go beyond their reach.
Rahane’s unbeaten ton puts India on top. Stand-in India captain Ajinkya Rahane has filled Virat Kohli’s imposing shoes in impeccable style with his 12th Test century lifting the tourists to an 82-run first-innings lead over Australia in the second Test.
India did well with the partnerships which helped them to finish the day in the driver’s seat. Good partnerships for India today:
4th Wicket - Rahane, Vihari 52
5th Wicket - Rahane, Pant 57
6th Wicket - Rahane, Jadeja 104*
Through last partnership India have taken the sting out of this attack.
Though injury to Rahane on the last day of the day would be worrying India. Let’s hope it’s not much serious. The last ball also second life given to Rahane by Aussies as the catch was grassed by fielder. He was dropped on 74 too.
1st Innings - Australia 195 All out (72.3 ov)
1st Innings - India 326 All out (115.1ov)
2nd Innings - Australia 95/3 (43 ov)
Day 3 - The Indian innings ended after the tailenders fell quickly. India managed to score 326 runs and have a lead of 131 runs in the second Test. Ravindra Jadeja got to his 15th Test fifty moments after stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane was run out for 112. Jadeja was then dismissed by Mitchell Starc for 57.
The Indian bowlers managed to pick up 3 wickets in the second session with Steve Smith, Labuschagne and Burns heading back to the pavilion.
Jasprit Bumrah accounted for Steve Smith with a brilliant delivery that shocked the world No.1 Test batsman to clip the leg stump and dislodge the bails much to the bemusement of the Australian.
Bumrah beauty bowls Smith behind his legs
Captain Ajinkya Rahane was run out for 112 after he responded to Ravindra Jadeja’s call to get the latter to a fifty. Rahane’s gesture after the run out drew praise.
Aus 133/6 at the end of the day. Aus had lost 6 for 99 but the tail is wagging for them. Cummins/Green have survived for 18.2 overs and added 34 runs. Aus was in real danger of loosing by an innings at one point. They have now overcome the deficit. India is still in charge, But Things could get interesting if Aus tail could stretch the lead beyond 100!
Aus tail fighting could bolster confidence of Indian batters too though.
India on top!
Cameron Green and Pat Cummins have helped Australia to a slender two-run lead at stumps, but India will be the confident side going into day 4.