There is something about the Boxing Day Test which everyone loves. You cannot keep yourself away from the game for long. Though history has been a fruitful witness to it, the MCG Test between India and Australia has its story to tell. On day two at the ‘G’, India declared on 443 for seven with Cheteshwar Pujara completing his 17th Test hundred. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli missed his 26th ton by just 18 runs, while Rohit remained unbeaten on 63, as Kohli declared the first innings with seven overs remaining.
India owns two sessions on day two
Yes, the India National Cricket Team did bag two sessions on the second day of the third Test. In the first session, both Kohli and Pujara stood firm at the crease. In the following one, despite them losing a few wickets, India didn’t miss the grip. Moreover, the Adelaide centurion, Cheteshwar Pujara completed his second hundred on tour. But, his partner at the other end, Virat Kohli missed out on his own, as Starc got him out caught at the third man on 82.
Later, in the second session, a few low-bounce deliveries gave the Aussies crucial breakthroughs in the name of Pujara and Rahane.
However, Rohit Sharma coming to form in the whites was the highlight of the day. The India middle-order batsman in Tests not only completed his 10th fifty, but he also remained unbeaten on 63. As India lost Pant and Jadeja in successive overs, Virat declared the innings on 443 for seven.
Australia keep wickets intact
In the remaining seven overs before stumps on day two, Australia was made to bat. Much to the crowd’s amusement, the hosts didn’t lose a wicket.
Brief score at stumps on day 2 –
India – 443/7 (Cheteshwar Pujara 106, Virat Kohli 82)
Australia – 8/0 (Marcus Harris 5*, Aaron Finch 3*)
Here are a few tweets –
https://twitter.com/MitchJohnson398/status/1078099684164423680
Has been a strange day’s play this! #INDvsAUS
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) December 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/anandicted/status/1078179120205389830
https://twitter.com/anomitrodatta/status/1078183448433516544
Australia survive but only just!! Indian bowling has already started asking questions. And the ball is very much new for tomorrow morning. Day 3 nicely set up. India isn’t losing this Test. Can they win and make it 2-1?
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) December 27, 2018
Strange declaration from India. With Rohit there India could have got 50/75 runs or even more runs, runs which would be harder to get batting second. Made sense in getting them now.#AusvInd
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 27, 2018