Fri Dec 27 05:32:52 UTC 2024: ## Australia Dominates Day 2 of Boxing Day Test, India Struggles

**Melbourne, Australia** – Australia continued its dominance over India on Day 2 of the fourth Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), leaving the visitors with a massive mountain to climb. Resuming on 311/6, Australia piled on another 163 runs, reaching 474 before being bowled out. Steve Smith anchored the innings with a magnificent 139, his 34th Test century, adding to his resurgence after a slow start to the series. A late flourish from Pat Cummins (49) further boosted Australia’s lead. Jasprit Bumrah (4/99) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/78) were the pick of the Indian bowlers.

India’s response was disastrous. Captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed cheaply for 3, followed by KL Rahul, who fell to a brilliant delivery from Pat Cummins just before tea, leaving India reeling at 51/2 at the close of play. India trails by a massive 423 runs. Virat Kohli joined Yashasvi Jaiswal at the crease in the final session, offering some resistance but the deficit remains insurmountable.

The day also saw a continuation of the fiery on-field exchanges between the teams. Virat Kohli received a 20% match fee fine and a demerit point from the ICC for a shoulder barge incident with Australian debutant Sam Konstas. While Konstas downplayed the incident, the collision sparked a heated verbal exchange.

Despite a record attendance of 87,242 for the day, overshadowing even the combined attendance of the BBL matches played concurrently, India faces an uphill battle to avoid a crushing defeat. The remaining days of the Test will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match, and the series itself.

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