Pat Cummins cuts India to 54-3 ahead of Ajinkya Rahane ‘s unbroken centenary partnership with Ravindra Jadeja earns 82 running advantage for tourists after day two of the second Test at the MCG
Last updated: 27/12/20 10:42 am
India’s Ajinkya Rahane celebrates his era against Australia in Melbourne’s second Test
Unstable captain Ajinkya Rahane was led from the front by an unstoppable class as India took a strong lead on the first inning on the second day of the second Test against Australia in Melbourne.
Rahane – who was captain of India for the rest of the series after Virat Kohli returned home for the birth of his first child – reached 104 without being out before rain stopped him. play at the MCG, with the Tours on 277-5.
His unbroken partnership with Ravindra Jadeja also surpassed three figures, giving the Indians a valuable advantage of 82 as they try to regain their 1-0 deficit in the fourth row. games.
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Australia, who went out for 195 on the first day, had bloodshed after Pat Cummins (2-71) hit twice in quick succession to leave their opponents at 64-3 before Rahane and the middle order got the guts back on the way.
Australia’s Pat Cummins celebrates the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara, which left India in trouble at 64-3
Starting at 36-1 overnight, India struggled against an extreme spell from Cummins, who won the bat again and got Shubman Gill behind him for 45, denied him a chance to get fifty years on his first test.
Australian captain Tim Paine then pulled a good grip on diving to take Cheteshwar Pujara (17) away in the next step at Cummins, but Rahane held firm and gradually he and Hanuma Vihari reduced the pressure by a 52-yard stand. .
Vihari (21) eventually fell swept by Nathan Lyon, but Rishabh Pant’s fast texture of 29 from 40 balls increased the tempo and led India to look at the first inning at the guests.
Mitchell Starc (2-61) Pant refused to record his 250th Test wicket, with the left-hander’s attempt trying to give Paine a cut of the third of the innings, but that was his final success. Australia on the day.
Ravindra Jadeja of India hit 40 unbeaten as he and Ajinkya Rahane shared an unbroken stand of 104
The home side awakened chances to take Rahane away, who was crossing Starc between the keeper and the previous first slip, at 73, he turned his left foot towards Steve Smith at the second slope.
However, Smith was unable to seize the opportunity and, although Jadeja dug in for a 40-yard watch without being out, Rahane went on to pick up his 12th test ton – and the his second at the MCG – with a square cut off Cummins.
Australia’s harassment was exacerbated by what was going to be the last ball of the day as Starc delivered a short delivery that Rahane could only move to Travis Head at the point – but escaped out of the ranger’s hands as he hit the ground.