Fri Dec 27 15:32:38 UTC 2024: ## India Stumble in Boxing Day Test, Trail Australia by 310 Runs
**Melbourne, Australia** – Day two of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India ended with the visitors facing a significant deficit. India finished the day at 159 for 5, a daunting 310 runs behind Australia’s first innings total.
The day saw a mixed bag for India. While opener Shubman Gill’s dismissal raised questions, Yashasvi Jaiswal showed resilience. Captain Rohit Sharma’s promotion to the top of the order proved unsuccessful, resulting in an early wicket. Virat Kohli also struggled to find his rhythm. Australia, meanwhile, employed a successful short-ball strategy, putting pressure on the Indian batsmen.
Australia’s Steve Smith continued his impressive run against India, reaching a century in style. Four Australian batsmen scored fifties in their first innings. India’s Mohammed Shami took three wickets.
Despite the challenging situation, there were glimpses of hope for India. The team’s selection of two spinners and the inclusion of debutant Sam Konstas sparked debate, with some questioning the bowling combination. Former Indian players raised the possibility of adding another fast bowler for the upcoming matches. However, Konstas’ performance left a mark as a highlight of the day.
The match continues tomorrow with India needing a substantial turnaround to avoid a significant loss.
First Piper 