Australia continued its commanding performance on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), taking a firm grip on the match by scoring 525 runs before declaring their innings. In response, India struggled to consolidate their position, finishing the day at 150 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. This marked the first time India found itself in a precarious situation during the five-match series. Virat Kohli, under scrutiny following a fiery on-field altercation with Australian fast bowler Sam Konstas, managed to score only 25 runs, drawing criticism from legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar expressed concern over Kohli’s performance, stating, ‘I don’t want to remember Virat Kohli as someone who played in a time where he had no contributions on the field.’ Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, was instrumental, claiming two wickets while spinner Nathan Lyon excelled with figures of 4 for 58. The match officials had to intervene as tensions escalated after the verbal clash between Kohli and Konstas, leading to a heated exchange that became a focal point for viewers. The MCG crowd witnessed a rollercoaster of emotions as the Australian side surged ahead, looking set to enforce a commanding lead. With India requiring 376 runs to avoid an innings defeat, the upcoming days of play are crucial for the visitors as they aim to reset their strategy and counter Australia’s aggressive approach.
Australia Dominates Day 2 of Boxing Day Test Against India
