Smith’s 140 and Late Wickets Put India on the Back Foot

After Australia posted a commanding total of 474, India mounted a resilient fightback on the second day, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli combining for a century stand. However, late in the day, they suffered a dramatic collapse, losing three quick wickets to hand the momentum back to Australia. Local hero Scott Boland played a […]

Local hero Scott Boland played a pivotal role in Australia’s late surge. He was instrumental in dismissing both Jaiswal and Kohli in the final half-hour, as Australia gained control of the fourth Test. Jaiswal, who had moved into the 80s, drove firmly to mid-on and set off for a single, but Kohli didn’t respond. There was no chance of making it as Pat Cummins’ accurate throw left Jaiswal stranded. Just two overs later, Boland found Kohli’s outside edge, sending the MCG into raptures and leaving India with a daunting task ahead.

To cap off a crushing period for India, Boland struck again, dismissing nightwatchman Akash Deep at leg gully with just minutes left in the day. In a dramatic finale, India lost 3 wickets for just 6 runs, leaving them with a mountain to climb on day three.

It was a day that began poorly for India and ended even worse. In the morning, they were lackluster in the field as Australia raced to 143 runs from just 27 overs. Steven Smith, who scored his 34th Test century, was instrumental in this charge, while Pat Cummins added a crucial 112-run partnership with Smith for the seventh wicket, as India’s bowlers struggled to contain the Australian onslaught.

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Cummins Strikes Early as Sharma’s Struggles Continue in India’s Reply

Pat Cummins struck early in India’s reply, dismissing Rohit Sharma in his first over. Sharma, who had returned to the top of the order, fended a short ball straight to mid-on, leaving him with yet another disappointing score—just 3 runs. This added to his series tally of 3, 6, 10, and 3, and extended his lean run to 155 runs at an average of just 11.07 over his last 14 innings. The question of whether Sharma’s Test career will continue beyond Sydney remains uncertain, with the discussion likely to intensify.

India found themselves at 51 for 2 at tea, and soon after, Cummins added another scalp to his collection, delivering a perfect ball to bowl KL Rahul. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had struggled against Mitchell Starc earlier in the series, finally found some form, offering a glimmer of hope to the large Indian crowd at the MCG—who had gathered for the record second-day crowd of 85,147. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli was looking to replicate the revival in form that Steven Smith had showcased in recent weeks, hoping to lead India’s recovery.

Jaiswal’s Fearless Stroke Play Cut Short as Kohli’s Discipline Falters

As he had during his 161 in Perth, Jaiswal was fearless against the short ball, ramping deliveries over the slips and driving elegantly down the ground. He launched Mitchell Marsh’s medium pace over long-on for a six, and then cut Scott Boland for a boundary to bring up his half-century, eyeing a potential century. However, his innings came to an abrupt end when he called for a single that always looked tight. Kohli, rooted to his crease, could barely make it down the pitch. Cummins calmly threw the ball on the bounce to Carey, who completed the run-out, celebrating as the stumps were broken.

Kohli, fresh off a fine for his shoulder contact with Sam Konstas, looked determined from the outset. He showed more discipline than in previous innings, leaving deliveries outside his off-stump and avoiding the temptations that had seen him dismissed pushing at wide balls. Kohli did unfurl a pristine cover drive and flicked Starc powerfully through midwicket when straying onto his pads. However, the channel outside off eventually proved his downfall, with the memory of Jaiswal’s run-out possibly playing a role in his lapse in concentration.

Australia resumed at 311 for 6 after a productive opening day, largely driven by Konstas’ innings, and continued their solid progress against a flat-looking Indian side. Nine runs came off the opening over, with Jasprit Bumrah still posing a threat, although Steven Smith managed to hook him for the fourth six of the innings. The runs flowed freely elsewhere as Australia comfortably advanced.

Smith Shines with Century, But South Africa Lose Momentum After Key Dismissals

Steven Smith brought up his century with a stunning cover drive off Nitesh Kumar Reddy, and then shifted his focus to Mohammed Siraj, who struggled and conceded more than five runs per over. Smith looked as fluent as he had in years, reminiscent of his prime form from 2019. The century stand with Pat Cummins, which was built in just 21 overs, showcased Cummins’ ability to provide a serious threat with his positive stroke play.

Cummins was one run short of his fourth Test fifty when he picked out long-off against Ravindra Jadeja, who then struck again straight after lunch, dismissing Mitchell Starc. The following over saw Smith’s unexpected departure, as he charged at Akash Deep, edged onto his pads, and watched helplessly as the ball trickled back to dislodge the leg stump. Despite this, with up to three innings remaining in the series, Smith remains in good form and has a strong chance to reach one of cricket’s rare milestones before it concludes.