Sat Dec 28 01:30:00 UTC 2024: ## India Stumbles in Melbourne as Australia Piles on the Runs
**Melbourne, Australia:** India’s chase of Australia’s imposing first-innings total got off to a disastrous start on Day 2 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Despite Australia losing two quick wickets after lunch, their mammoth 474-run total, built largely on Steve Smith’s 140, proved too much for the visitors.
Rohit Sharma’s return to the top of the order was short-lived, as he fell for a paltry score in the second over. KL Rahul, who arrived at the crease early, looked promising alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, but a unplayable delivery from Pat Cummins just before tea dismissed him, leaving India reeling at 51/2 at the close of play.
Australia’s innings, resumed from 454/7, witnessed the quick dismissals of Mitchell Starc and Smith immediately after lunch. Starc fell victim to Ravindra Jadeja, while Smith, despite a magnificent century, was undone by a deflection off his leg onto the stumps. While Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon added a further eight overs to the innings, Jasprit Bumrah eventually bowled Lyon, ending Australia’s innings. Bumrah’s 29 overs bowled were only the third-most in a Test innings of his career.
Earlier, Smith anchored Australia’s innings, reaching his 34th Test century and 11th against India, punishing the Indian bowlers with a fluent display. He received excellent support from Marnus Labuschagne (72) and Pat Cummins (49). India’s fielding was described as sloppy, and their bowling lacked bite as Australia piled on the runs.
India now faces a daunting task, trailing by 423 runs, with their top order already significantly weakened. The pressure is firmly on the visitors to produce a remarkable turnaround in the remaining days of the match.
First Piper 