Ind vs Aus Day 1 Highlights 4th Test | Australia Firmly in Control After Day 2 | Will India Avoid Follow on on Day 3

Smith’s Masterclass Guides Australia to 474

Australia tightened their grip on the 4th Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, finishing their first innings at a mammoth 474. Steven Smith was the architect of Australia’s commanding total, registering his 34th Test century, a majestic 140 off 197 deliveries. His innings, punctuated by 13 boundaries and three sixes, displayed his mastery of red-ball cricket and his unparalleled dominance against India.

Resuming the day on 311/6, Australia added vital runs as Smith marshaled the lower order. Pat Cummins provided invaluable support with a brisk 49, crafting a critical 112-run stand with Smith that frustrated the Indian bowlers. Cummins’ departure to Ravindra Jadeja in the second session did little to deter Smith, who continued to find the gaps and rotate the strike effectively.

India's bowlers struggled to find consistency, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the attack with figures of 4/99. Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with three wickets, but the visitors lacked the penetration needed to prevent Australia's tail from wagging.

India’s Rocky Start

Chasing a daunting total, India began their innings under immense pressure. Captain Rohit Sharma's decision to promote himself to the top of the order backfired as he fell for just three runs, nicking Pat Cummins to the slips. This marked the seventh time in 13 innings that Cummins dismissed Rohit in Test cricket, further underlining the Australian captain’s dominance over his counterpart.

KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal then steadied the innings, navigating through Mitchell Starc’s testing spell. Rahul, looking in good touch, played a few glorious strokes before being undone by a peach of a delivery from Cummins just before the tea break.

Jaiswal and Kohli Lead the Fightback

Post-tea, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli combined to give India a glimmer of hope. Jaiswal, continuing his fine form, mixed caution with aggression to score a gritty 82 off 118 deliveries. His footwork against the spinners and his confidence in dispatching loose deliveries highlighted his growing stature in international cricket.

Kohli, on the other hand, showcased excellent judgment outside the off-stump and played late to combat Australia’s disciplined bowling. Together, the pair added 100 runs, keeping India afloat and frustrating the Australian attack.

However, disaster struck when Jaiswal was run out attempting a risky single. His dismissal shifted the momentum back in Australia’s favor and seemed to impact Kohli, who edged Scott Boland to Alex Carey shortly after.

Boland Strikes Late

Australia tightened the screws further with Scott Boland’s double strike late in the day. After dismissing Kohli, Boland sent nightwatchman Akash Deep back to the pavilion for a duck, leaving India reeling at 164/5 at stumps.

Rishabh Pant (6*) and Ravindra Jadeja (4*) remained unbeaten, but India faces an uphill battle, trailing by 310 runs and still needing 111 to avoid the follow-on.

Bowling Brilliance and Tactical Mastery

Pat Cummins once again led from the front, extracting movement off the pitch and consistently troubling the Indian batters. His spell of 2/57 included the key wickets of Rohit and Rahul, swinging the game in Australia’s favor. Scott Boland, with figures of 2/24, was equally effective, exploiting the conditions with his accurate and probing lines.

Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon also bowled well in patches, ensuring the Indian batters had little breathing room. Lyon’s overs in particular forced Jaiswal and Kohli to play cautiously, although the pitch offered minimal assistance to spinners.

Smith’s Century: A Record-Breaking Feat

Steven Smith’s century was not just a masterclass in technique but also a record-breaking knock. It was his fifth Test ton at the MCG and his 11th against India, making him the player with the most Test centuries against the visitors. Smith’s ability to counter spin and pace with equal aplomb made him nearly invincible during this innings.

Smith’s century also further solidified his status as one of the modern greats of the game, adding another chapter to his already illustrious career.

India’s Challenges on Day 3

With five wickets down and only the lower order remaining, India will need something special to avoid conceding a massive lead. Much will depend on the aggressive duo of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, who have shown in the past that they can turn games around.

Australia, however, will smell blood. With a second new ball due soon and a potent bowling attack, they will look to wrap up India’s innings early and enforce the follow-on, putting themselves in a position to dictate the match. India must score a minimum of 274 runs in their first innings to avoid the follow-on in the ongoing Test against Australia. This threshold is determined by subtracting 200 runs, the standard follow-on margin, from Australia's commanding total of 474. Currently at 164/5, India still needs 110 more runs to reach this mark. Achieving this target will not only help them avoid the follow-on but also give their bowlers some much-needed respite as they look to keep Australia from further tightening their grip on the match

• Australia’s First Innings: Steven Smith’s masterful 140 and Cummins’ crucial 49 propelled Australia to 474.
• India’s Batting Response: Yashasvi Jaiswal’s valiant 82 and a steady 100-run partnership with Kohli were the bright spots.
• Australian Bowlers: Cummins (2/57) and Boland (2/24) delivered with precision, while Starc and Lyon kept things tight.

The Road Ahead

Australia’s commanding position at the end of Day 2 has left India with a mountain to climb. The visitors’ inability to capitalize on promising starts, coupled with the hosts’ relentless bowling and tactical acumen, has tilted the game firmly in Australia’s favor.

Day 3 promises to be another riveting contest as India fights to stay alive in the match. With Rishabh Pant’s fireworks and Ravindra Jadeja’s grit yet to come, there’s still hope for the visitors, but time and opportunities are running out fast.

Australia vs India, 4th Test

Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne – 27 December 2024

Australia 1st Innings: 474 all out (122.4 overs; S Smith 140, M Labuschagne 72; J Bumrah 4-99, R Jadeja 3-78)

India 1st Innings: 164/5 (46 overs; Y Jaiswal 82, V Kohli 36; P Cummins 2-57, S Boland 2-24)

India trail by 310 runs at stumps on Day 2.