Fri Dec 27 08:56:07 UTC 2024: ## Australia Dominates Day 2 of Boxing Day Test Against India
**Melbourne, Australia:** Australia continued its dominance over India on the second day of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Resuming from a strong first day, where they won the toss and elected to bat, Australia piled on the runs before restricting India’s response.
Australia declared its first innings at 474/10, with Steve Smith top-scoring with 140 runs. Other notable contributions came from Marnus Labuschagne (72), Usman Khawaja (57), and debutant Sam Constace (60). Pat Cummins also contributed a quickfire 49. For India, Jasprit Bumrah took four wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed three.
In reply, India’s innings started with a promising 102-run partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal (82) and Virat Kohli (36). However, after Jaiswal’s unfortunate run-out, Australia fought back strongly, claiming quick wickets. India ended the day at 164/5, still needing 110 runs to avoid the follow-on, leaving them with a significant deficit of 310 runs. Rishabh Pant (6*) and Ravindra Jadeja (4*) will resume the innings on day three. Pat Cummins and Scott Boland took two wickets each for Australia. The day saw several key Indian wickets fall late in the day after a promising start, including the dismissal of nightwatchman Akash Deep for a duck.
The match continues to favor Australia, setting the stage for a potentially decisive third day.
First Piper 