Australia Maintain Command Despite Jaiswal's Resilience
Australia continued to hold a vice-like grip on the MCG Test as India ended day two at 164/5, trailing by 310 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal showed resilience with a defiant 82, but the visitors found themselves in a precarious position as Scott Boland and Pat Cummins claimed crucial wickets to keep India under pressure. Earlier in the day, Steve Smith’s brilliant century – his 11th against India – helped Australia extend their dominance after a commanding 474 in their first innings.
Jaiswal, who had struggled in Adelaide and Brisbane, shrugged off his earlier form to take on the Australian bowlers. His feet movement against the pacers was confident, and he negotiated Nathan Lyon with ease in favorable batting conditions. Jaiswal appeared poised for a three-figure score, playing an array of well-timed strokes. Virat Kohli, who had been practicing his defense to the fifth stump channel in the nets, settled in alongside Jaiswal, offering a solid partnership. He resisted Australia’s quicks, who repeatedly tempted him to play at deliveries outside his off-stump. Kohli's disciplined approach was key as he left balls that didn’t require a shot, allowing his innings to build with some authoritative flicks and pulls.
However, in a dramatic shift late in the day, indecision between the two batters led to a disastrous collapse. The first blow came when Jaiswal was run out for 82. After driving a ball to mid-on, he set off for a single, but Kohli was hesitant, and the two ended up in a mix-up that led to Jaiswal’s dismissal. Just seven balls later, Kohli edged a delivery from Boland to slip, departing for 36. Boland's relentless pressure paid off again when he dismissed nightwatchman Akash Deep in the final moments of the day, leaving India in a vulnerable position at 164/5.
The morning session had been dominated by Steve Smith’s outstanding century. After overcoming a brief tussle with Jasprit Bumrah, Smith accelerated, collecting runs off Akash Deep at the other end. He was watchful during a period of testing deliveries but gradually grew in confidence, taking full advantage of the pressure the Indian bowlers were under. Mitchell Marsh also contributed with some aggressive batting before being dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja for a breezy 49. Smith, however, continued his charge and reached his 34th Test century – his fifth at the MCG – before upping the ante. He smacked Jadeja and Washington Sundar for boundaries, adding quick runs to Australia’s total. Mitchell Starc also had a go, hitting Bumrah for a six, before Jadeja dismissed him.
Just after lunch, Australia’s innings came to a close when Smith's attempt to dance down the track for a big shot ricocheted off his leg, dislodging a bail, handing Akash Deep the wicket. Bumrah eventually wrapped up the innings, but India’s riposte was again found wanting.
Rohit Sharma’s opening return was short-lived as Pat Cummins made the breakthrough in the second over. Sharma mistimed a pull shot off a delivery that was not quite short enough, and his leading edge was safely caught by Scott Boland at mid-on. KL Rahul joined Jaiswal, and the pair began to rebuild. However, just as the pair started to find some rhythm, Cummins delivered a gem of a ball that straightened off a length and sent Rahul’s off-stump flying, sending India to Tea at 51/2.
The key to India's hope rested on the partnership between Kohli and Jaiswal. The pair showed promise, but the session saw India collapse, losing three wickets for just six runs in the final hour of play. The loss of Jaiswal and Kohli, two of India’s best performers, meant Australia retained complete control of the game.
