India Vs Australia Highlights, Boxing Day Test at Melbourne, Day 2, Full Cricket Score: Rahane's century helps visitors take 82-run lead at stumps

After 91.3 overs,India 277/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 104 , Ravindra Jadeja 40)

DROPPED! Yet another chance goes begging! Rahane gets a thick top-edge while attempting to fend a back-of-length delivery from Starc. Head runs forward from point with Green also running towards the ball from gully, the former diving to complete the catch, with the ball popping out of his palms in the last second.

The players however, leave the field right after that dropped chance with three balls still left in the over, with stumps on Day 2 being called early due to various factors — a bit of drizzle, poor light, litter on the field caused by the spectators (we forgot their presence in the stands isn’t always pleasant now did we?) as well as Rahane needing a bit of attention on his right hand after the blow.

After 91 overs,India 276/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 104 , Ravindra Jadeja 39)

Cam Green replaces Josh Hazlewood now, conceding a wide off the second delivery after pitching it far outside off. Jadeja retains the strike with a single off the last delivery. Two off the over.

After 90 overs,India 274/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 104 , Ravindra Jadeja 38)

Lyon brought into the attack now as Cummins is given a breather after a four-over burst with the second new ball. Jadeja nearly inside-edges the ball onto the stumps off the second delivery. The all-rounder then collects a single off the last delivery to retain the strike.

After 89 overs,India 273/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 104 , Ravindra Jadeja 37)

One milestone leads to another as Rahane brings out another lovely drive off the last delivery of Hazlewood’s 21st over, this time bringing up the century stand with Jadeja for the sixth wicket — a partnership that is put the visitors firmly in control.

FOUR! Lovely punch through extra cover by Rahane as he brings up another milestone with a boundary, this time the century stand with Jadeja for the sixth wicket off 179 deliveries. IND 273/5

After 88 overs,India 268/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 100 , Ravindra Jadeja 36)

Rahane brings up his 12th Test century in style with a well-timed cut behind square on the off side for a boundary, taking 195 deliveries to bring up the milestone. He is however, pinged on the glove off the last delivery after Cummins digs in slightly short, the skipper wincing slightly after the blow.

FOUR! CENTURY for Ajinkya Rahane — his 12th in Test cricket, his first across formats in more than a year and definitely one of the finest of his career! Brings up the milestone with a well-time cut through backward point off Cummins in the 88th over, taking 195 balls to get to the milestone. First century of this Test series!

After 87 overs,India 264/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 96 , Ravindra Jadeja 36)

Rahane drives the ball towards mid off, where Starc appears to have hurt his knee while collecting the ball — cause for concern for the Aussie camp. The India skipper collects three off the fourth ball after guiding the ball behind square on the leg side, moving to 96 in the process.

After 86 overs,India 261/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 93 , Ravindra Jadeja 36)

Cummins continues from the other end. Rahane guides the ball towards fine leg for a single off the first delivery, moving to 90, before being brought back on strike after Jadeja adds one run to his score next ball. Rahane pulls towards in front of square off the penultimate delivery, collecting a brace, before retaining the strike with a single off the last ball.

After 85 overs,India 256/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 89 , Ravindra Jadeja 35)

Paine gives Hazlewood a burst with the ball that is only four overs old, with the pacer coming in place of Starc. Two off the over, with Jadeja working the ball through midwicket for a double off the third delivery. India’s lead stretches to 61 in this over.

After 84 overs,India 254/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 89 , Ravindra Jadeja 33)

Single off each of the first two deliveries: Jadeja clipping the ball towards long leg followed by Rahane edging the ball wide of gully. Appeal for lbw against Jadeja off the fourth delivery, but the umpire shakes his head. Looked like it was sailing over the stumps anyway. Jadeja chips the ball in the direction of Travis Head, at forward short leg, though the latter hardly has the time to react to it before it lands safely. Three off the over.

After 83 overs,India 251/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 88 , Ravindra Jadeja 31)

Some fine running between the wickets on display in the first two deliveries of the over, with Jadeja collecting a quick single off the first followed by a brace off the second for the captain as the lead swells above the 50-run mark. Rahane ends the over with a boundary off the last delivery, giving a short and wide ball from Starc the appropriate treatment by slapping it over point.

FOUR! Short and wide from Starc, Rahane slaps this over point to add another boundary to his tally while getting India past the 250-run mark with five wickets in hand! IND 251/5

After 82 overs,India 244/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 82 , Ravindra Jadeja 30)

Cummins shares the new ball with Starc, with an FSL in place along with the three slips and a gully. Dot off each of the first two balls, before Rahane leans into a full delivery to drive it wide of mid off for his ninth boundary. Keeps the scoreboard ticking by collecting a double off each of the next two balls, driving the ball past mid off and through cover and point respectively. Good over for the Indians, with eight coming off it, as they level their first innings score at Adelaide, with five wickets still intact.

FOUR! Precisely-timed cover drive by Rahane, placing it wide of mid off, sends the new ball racing away to the boundary rope! IND 240/5

After 81 overs,India 236/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 74 , Ravindra Jadeja 30)

Starc’s given the second new ball by Paine as soon as it becomes available. Jadeja greets him with the brand new cherry with a flick through midwicket for three runs first ball! Rahane pushes the ball towards extra cover off the next ball, but is intercepted by a fielder. DROPPED! Starc creates a chance off the third delivery after Rahane steers the ball straight to Smith at second slip, the ball bursting through the latter’s palms and allowing the batsman a single. Ripper of a delivery to Jadeja, the ball nipping away from good length, off the last delivery. Four off the over.

After 80 overs,India 232/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 73 , Ravindra Jadeja 27)

Rahane collects a single off the first ball, before Jadeja rocks back and cuts a short, loopy delivery from Lyon through cover for three runs. Dot off each of the remaining deliveries of the 80th over, with the second new ball finally available for the Aussies to take.

After 79 overs,India 228/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 72 , Ravindra Jadeja 24)

Rahane drives the ball off the second delivery, but is intercepted at extra cover to be denied a run. Takes on the short ball from Green next up, pulling it towards fine leg for a single. Steep bouncer to Jadeja off the fourth left alone. The southpaw collects a brace off the last ball.

After 78 overs,India 225/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 71 , Ravindra Jadeja 22)

Maiden over for Lyon — his second in the 16 overs bowled so far today — as Jadeja blocks the ball around without setting off for a run. Paine and Wade, standing at short leg, starting to get a little chirpy around Jadeja in this over.

After 77 overs,India 225/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 71 , Ravindra Jadeja 22)

Quiet over from Green, with a single — collected by Jadeja off the first delivery — being the only run collected. Just three move overs before the second new ball becomes available.

After 76 overs,India 224/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 71 , Ravindra Jadeja 21)

Jadeja’s beaten neck-and-crop by a lovely delivery from Lyon that bounces and turns sharply after pitching along good length, surprising both the batsman and the keeper. ‘Sir’ sweeps the third delivery for a single, the only run in this over.

After 75 overs,India 223/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 71 , Ravindra Jadeja 20)

Five off Green’s second over of the new spell, with Jadeja cutting the ball behind point off the first ball and following it up with a single off the second to bring up the fifty partnership with Rahane. Cut-and-a-miss for Rahane off a back-of-length delivery off the last ball of the over.

Fifty partnership up between Rahane and Jadeja, the latter pushing the ball down the ground for a single to bring up the milestone! IND 223/5; lead by 28

FOUR! Jadeja cuts the ball behind square, placing it in the gap between point and gully. First boundary of the innings for the all-rounder. IND 222/5

After 74 overs,India 218/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 71 , Ravindra Jadeja 15)

Single collected off the second and third deliveries of Lyon’s latest over, before the fourth narrowly misses Jadeja’s off stump after the all-rounder chooses to leave the ball alone. Jadeja sweeps the ball towards long leg for a single off the last delivery to retain the strike. Three off the over.

After 73 overs,India 215/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 70 , Ravindra Jadeja 13)

Double change for the Aussies as Cam Green replaces Josh Hazlewood. Maybe a bit of a breather for Cummins and the frontline pacers before the second new ball is taken. Single to Jadeja off the last delivery after clipping the short delivery behind square on the leg side. Current partnership worth 41 at the end of this over.

After 72 overs,India 214/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 70 , Ravindra Jadeja 12)

‘Garry’ Lyon returns to the attack as Paine gives Starc a breather. Rahane cuts the ball off the first delivery, coming back for a second run, before using his feet well to get to the pitch of the ball and drive the ball wide of midwicket for a boundary three balls later. Six off the over.

FOUR! Lovely use of the feet by Rahane as he drives this through the gap between midwicket and cover, collecting his eighth boundary in the process! IND 214/5

After 71 overs,India 208/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 64 , Ravindra Jadeja 12)

Neat over from Hazlewood, starting the over from round the wicket, as Jadeja blocks the ball around, occasionally showing the intent to step forth for a run only to be sent back.

IND 208/5 after 70 overs (Rahane 64, Jadeja 12)  

Rahane rides the bounce and cuts a short-of-length delivery through cover point off the fourth delivery, easily coming back for a second run. Those are the only runs conceded by Starc in his 16th over.

IND 206/5 after 69 overs (Rahane 62, Jadeja 12)  

Jadeja plays a streaky aerial cut through the gap between gully and point off the second delivery, in no control of the shot whatsoever, getting three runs ultimately. Rahane pulls towards square leg off the fourth, but only gets a single.

IND 202/5 after 68 overs (Rahane 61, Jadeja 9)  

Rahane’s outside edge is narrowly beaten by a beauty from Starc off the second delivery of the over. The captain was looking to push this down the ground, but was nowhere close to the line as the ball nips away, and nearly got a nick to the keeper. Rahane does get a thick edge three balls later, but is once again lucky as the ball flies through the gap between first slip Smith and keeper Paine. 200 up for the visitors with that boundary!

FOUR! Streaky boundary for Rahane as his luck continues to shine. Edges this through the gap between keeper and first slip off Starc’s bowling, neither having the reflexes to grab this one. 200 up for the visitors with this shot! IND 202/5

IND 198/5 after 67 overs (Rahane 57, Jadeja 9)  

Tidy over from Hazlewood, giving nothing away to Jadeja as he collects his fifth maiden of the innings. The partnership between Rahane and Jadeja at the moment is 25.

IND 198/5 after 66 overs (Rahane 57, Jadeja 9)  

Jadeja brings Rahane on strike with a single off the first delivery, and the skipper then puts his team in the lead with a boundary two balls later, guiding the ball between gully and the slip cordon. Faint appeal for caught-behind off the penultimate delivery after the ball glides down Rahane’s leg side.

FOUR! Rahane opens the face of his blade and plays this with soft hands, guiding the ball between gully and the slip cordon for a four! The visitors are in the lead now! IND 198/5

IND 193/5 after 65 overs (Rahane 53, Jadeja 8)  

Hazlewood replaces Cummins from the other end after the break. The ball stays low after pitching along good length off the second delivery, with Jadeja getting an inside edge onto his pad. Perhaps the shower did have some effect on the surface after all? Hazlewood, however, gets decent bounce in the last delivery, with Jadeja pulling it towards fine leg for a single. India trail by just two runs now.

IND 192/5 after 64 overs (Rahane 53, Jadeja 7)  

Mitchell Starc’s 13th over of the innings is separated by the tea break followed by a bit of a rain-forced delay. Starc bowls out the remaining three deliveries at the start of the final session, with Jadeja collecting three off the last delivery after a wild pull towards midwicket.

Bit of a delay in the start of the final session on Day 2 thanks to rain, which increased slightly after the players went back to their respective dressing rooms. Play is now scheduled to start at 3.45 pm local time (10.15 am IST).

Tea break 

Time for the tea break and India, at 189/5, trail by just six runs. Rahane (53*) has led the batting line up and his 57-run partnership with Rishabh Pant was crucial in the context of the game. India carefully dealt with Cummins after the pacer removed overnight batsmen Gill and Pujara but Lyon and Starc stepped up, picking up one wicket each.

Ravindra Jadeja batting average in Tests:

2016 – 37.50
2017 – 41.00
2018 – 45.60
2019 – 62.85
2020 – 25.00

IND 189/5 after 63.3 overs (Rahane 53, Jadeja 4)  

Starc bowls the last over before the tea break. Starts off with two deliveries down the leg side, the latter took off sharply after pitching, evaded everyone and went for a boundary. Into the body of Jadeja, the third, and the southpaw did well to fend it. Bit of a drizzle forces an early tea break.

FOUR! Four byes, Starc dug that one in real short and it evaded everyone.

IND 185/5 after 63 overs (Rahane 53, Jadeja 4)  

Just a while before the tea break and Cummins continues. Rahane is the well set batsman and looks assured but Jadeja needs to put a price on his wicket. Just one run off the over.

IND 184/5 after 62 overs (Rahane 53, Jadeja 3)  

Starc continues. Rahane tickles the first towards fine leg for a four, bringing up his half century in the process. Starc bowls down the leg side off the last and the Indians collect another boundary (off byes). Eight runs off the over.

FOUR! Full, down the leg side from Starc. It evades everyone and races towards fine leg.

50! Talk about rising to the occasion. Stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane shows India the way as he completes his half century, with a tickle down the leg side for a four.

IND 176/5 after 61 overs (Rahane 49, Jadeja 3)  

Cummins back into the attack. Jadeja awkwardly fends the first delivery which was outside the off stump. The southpaw looks way more assuring in the rest of the over as he leaves or defends. Maiden over for Cummins.

Fewest Tests to 150th dismissal as a keeper among Australians:

33 : Tim Paine
36 : Adam Gilchrist
39 : Rod Marsh

IND 176/5 after 60 overs (Rahane 49, Jadeja 3)  

Starc continues and provided Australia the much-need breakthrough, removing Pant off the first. The extra bounce from Starc did the trick as the southpaw edged the ball to Paine behind the stumps. Jadeja, the new man in, gets off the mark with a triple, courtesy a lovely straight drive. Three runs off the over.

OUT! Australia desperately needed a breakthrough and Starc has come to their rescue. Pant departs for 29 after edging one to Paine behind the stumps. Extra bounce from Starc did the trick there. Pant c Paine b Starc 29(40)

IND 173/4 after 59 overs (Rahane 49, Pant 29)  

Green continues. Starts off with a bouncer, Rahane ducks and Paine times his jump to perfection to grab that one. A pull shot by Rahane off the fifth for a double. Just two runs off the over as Rahane leaves or defends the short of length deliveries.

IND 171/4 after 58 overs (Rahane 47, Pant 29)  

Starc is back into the attack. The ball’s getting older and batting has become much easier. After two dots, Rahane drives the ball through the off side for a triple. Unlike Hazlewood and Cummins, Starc has mostly been on the fuller side as far as lengths are concerned. Five runs off the over.

Playing a massive role today, is Rahane

As he did yesterday with his captaincy, Rahane’s playing stellar role today as pivot in the batting

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 27, 2020

IND 166/4 after 57 overs (Rahane 43, Pant 28)  

Green has been called back into the attack. He bowls a low full toss off the third to Rahane, who collects a boundary after hitting the ball down the ground. A single to follow up that delivery. Five runs off the over. Meanwhile, the Rahane-Pant partnership crosses the 50-run mark.

FOUR! Low full toss from Green and Rahane shows it the full face of the blade. Straight as an arrow!

IND 160/4 after 56 overs (Rahane 38, Pant 28)  

Cummins continues. Pant plays a beautiful cover drive off the third delivery but straight into the hands of the fielder. A straight drive off the fifth but Cummins manages to get a hand to it in the follow up of his bowling and throws it at Pant. Lucky escape for Pant off the final delivery as Green drops a catch at gully. Well, catches win you matches, they say. How costly will this be? Three runs off the over.

IND 157/4 after 55 overs (Rahane 38, Pant 24)

Rahane nearly plays on to the stumps off the first as he gets deep in his crease to play the slice shot. The stand-in skipper helps the ball towards fine leg for a double off the third. He waits for the ball off the last delivery and plays a late cut that fetches him another double. Four runs off the over.

IND 153/4 after 54 overs (Rahane 34, Pant 24)

Cummins continues and he looks to tempt Rishabh Pant with the off-stump line. The southpaw, however, doesn’t take the bait and leaves the deliveries. Back-to-back bouncers off the fourth and fifth but he has to force Pant to play at it to reap rewards. Maiden over by Cummins.

IND 153/4 after 53 overs (Rahane 34, Pant 24)

Lyon into his 11th over. Pant goes on the backfoot and punches the third delivery through the covers for a boundary. Two singles in the over as well. Six runs in total.

FOUR! Short from Lyon, Pant goes on the backfoot and punches it through the covers.

Things not quite working for Cummins right now

IND 147/4 after 52 overs (Rahane 33, Pant 19)

Cummins continues after the drinks break. Pant plays a lovely straight drive off the first and takes a double. A cover drive off the second for a double. Pant signals that he has got his eye in and is now going to play his shots as he collects two fours in the over. This over fetches 12 runs for India.

FOUR! Pant slices it wide of backward point for the second boundary of the over.

FOUR! Short, Pant gets on top of the bounce and pulls it towards mid wicket for a boundary.

IND 135/4 after 51 overs (Rahane 33, Pant 7)

Lyon continues from one end. Pant drives the ball through the covers for a single and Lyon, visibly, is disappointed as he wants Pant to face most of his deliveries. Just one run in that over. Time for a drinks break!

IND 134/4 after 50 overs (Rahane 33, Pant 6)

Bowling change for Australia as Pat Cummins returns to the attack. Rahane sneaks fours runs, courtesy two doubles before running the final delivery down to third man for a boundary. 8 runs off the over.

FOUR! Rahane runs the ball down to third man for a boundary. Easy as you like!

IND 126/4 after 49 overs (Rahane 25, Pant 6)

Two slips, no leg slip and no short leg and Lyon with the ball. After two dots, Pant tickles the third towards fine leg. Two runs off the last three deliveries. Four runs off the over.

IND 122/4 after 48 overs (Rahane 24, Pant 3)

Hazlewood into his 14th over and beats Rahane off the first. The ball nearly took the outside edge of the stand-in skipper’s bat. Rahane carefully defends the next five deliveries. Another maiden over for Hazlewood.

IND 122/4 after 47 overs (Rahane 24, Pant 3)

Lyon continues. Rahane uses his feet, steps down the track off the second and hits it on the bounce to short leg. Pant edges an attempted defence past slip for a double off the third. Two runs off the last two deliveries. Five runs off the over.

IND 117/4 after 46 overs (Rahane 22, Pant 0)

Hazlewood continues. Pant joins Rahane at the crease after Vihari’s departure. Searing bouncer to Rahane off the third and the right-hander does well to move out of the way there. The fourth one was angling into Rahane’s pads and the batsman flicked it for a single. Just one run in the over.

The southpaw’s knock today could be decisive in reaching a conclusion on the Pant vs Saha debate

This is a massive innings for Pant. No matter what he does, the jury will be out for him. Pick the right balls is all I will send as a vibe to him.#AUSvIND

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 27, 2020

Pant has scored atleast 25 runs in each of his seven Test innings in Australia. His scores in Tests in Australia – 25, 28, 36, 30, 39, 33, 159*.

IND 116/4 after 45 overs (Rahane 21)

Lyon continues to operate in tandem with Hazlewood. Vihari uses the depth of the crease, plays a late cut for a boundary off the third before holing out Smith at leg slip. Four runs and a wicket in that over.

OUT! Vihari goes for the sweep, misses and the ball goes straight into the hands of Smith at leg slip. The extra bounce from Lyon gets the better of him. Hanuma Vihari c Smith b Lyon 21(66)

FOUR! Superb late cut from Vihari. He uses the depth of the crease to good effect there as the ball runs towards third man.

IND 112/3 after 44 overs (Rahane 21, Vihari 17)

Hazlewood into his 12th over. A no ball off the second delivery followed by a boundary from the blade of Rahane, who played a lovely pull shot. Vihari pulls a bouncer off the fifth but the ball lands just short of Starc on the leg side. Seven runs off the over.

FOUR! Rahane stays in the crease, swivels on his feet and pulls it towards square leg for a boundary.

IND 105/3 after 43 overs (Rahane 16, Vihari 16)

Lyon continues. Sharp turn from outside the off stump towards the leg side off the first four deliveries as Rahane gets off the mark on the fourth. The last delivery also came into Vihari but he failed to get bat to it as Indians sneaked two bye runs. Three runs off the over.

IND 102/3 after 42 overs (Rahane 15, Vihari 16)

Hazlewood continues from one end. After two dots, Vihari clips one towards fine leg for a single. Rahane returns the favour. Just two runs off the over as the Indian batsmen continue to leave deliveries outside the off stump.

Ajinkya Rahane v Nathan Lyon in Tests:

Balls : 602
Dismissals : 9
SR : 47.18

Nathan Lyon has taken 86 wickets against India in Tests – the most he has taken against any team.

IND 100/3 after 41 overs (Rahane 15, Vihari 14)

Lyon continues. The first delivery spun from outside off, evaded everyone and raced away towards fine leg for a boundary. After that bye, Vihari tucks the ball towards the leg side for a single. Five runs off the over. Meanwhile, 100 comes up for India.

Some numbers on Rahane and Vihari’s stay at the crease so far

The two men at the crease have been solid. Ajinkya Rahane has played just 13% false shots (down on the match average of 16%), while Hanuma Vihari has been down at 12%. #AUSvIND

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) December 27, 2020

FOUR! Byes, sharp turn from Lyon and it evaded everyone. The ball raced away towards fine leg.

IND 94/3 after 40 overs (Rahane 13, Vihari 14)

Hazlewood continues from one end. Has bowled a tight line and length but hasn’t reaped the benefits of it so far. Rahane tucks the third delivery towards mid-wicket for a single. Five dots as Vihari and Rahane either leave or defend.

IND 93/3 after 39 overs (Rahane 12, Vihari 14)

Lyon continues. Gill used his feet against Lyon yesterday and that proved to be effective. Vihari and Rahane, however, play most of the deliveries on the backfoot in this over. Three runs off Lyon’s over.

IND 90/3 after 38 overs (Rahane 10, Vihari 13)

Hazlewood with the ball as the second session begins. Away movement and bounce for the pacer as Vihari leaves the first four deliveries outside the off stump. Vihari carefully defends the last two balls. Maiden over from Hazlewood.

Time for the second session and Hazlewood takes the ball.

IND 90/3 after 37 overs (Rahane 10, Vihari 13)

Lyon bowls out the final over of the session, with Vihari collecting a single off the fourth delivery as India head into the break on 90/3 — the Rahane-Vihari partnership somewhat steadying them after Cummins’ twin strike earlier today to get rid of Gill and Pujara in a space of a few deliveries. Still a tough test ahead for the current pair with the Aussie attack still looking lethal at the moment under overcast skies.

IND 89/3 after 36 overs (Rahane 10, Vihari 12)

Rahane clips the ball through midwicket for a brace after four dots on the trot in Starc’s ninth over. Fine stop by Green at gully to save a run or two off the last delivery.

IND 87/3 after 35 overs (Rahane 8, Vihari 12)

Nathan Lyon brought into the attack 10 minutes before lunch on Day 2, and he starts off with an FSL and a slip in place. Vihari dons his dancing shoes in this over, stepping forward on a couple of occasions to stifle the turn. Maiden for Garry.

IND 87/3 after 34 overs (Rahane 8, Vihari 12)

Rahane collects his first boundary of the innings with an outside edge off the third delivery that stays low, beats gully and runs all the way to the third man fence. Four off the over.

FOUR! Played with soft hands, did Rahane, the edge off the full delivery outside off from Starc staying low and beating gully before running all the way to the third man fence. IND 87/3

IND 83/3 after 33 overs (Rahane 4, Vihari 12)

Just a second conceded off this over, with Rahane setting off for the non-striker’s end after working the ball behind square on the leg side off the third delivery. Hazlewood ends the over with a steep bouncer to Vihari, who ducks under it.

IND 82/3 after 32 overs (Rahane 3, Vihari 12)

Starc appeals loudly for lbw against Vihari off the fifth delivery of his seventh over, but the umpire perhaps thinks it’s angling down leg and missing the pole. Leg bye added to the Indian total as a result. Rahane keeps the strike with a single off the last delivery.

IND 80/3 after 31 overs (Rahane 2, Vihari 12)

Hazlewood brought back in action by Paine, who decides to give Green a bit of rest after a five-over spell. Reckon we see a bit of Lyon before lunch as well today? Anyway the ‘Bendemeer Bullet’ starts off his new spell with a maiden.

IND 80/3 after 30 overs (Rahane 2, Vihari 12)

Starc concedes his first run of the day as Rahane pulls a short ball towards fine leg for a single off the third delivery. A leg bye and a single collected off the next two balls as the current Indian pair keep the scoreboard ticking.

IND 77/3 after 29 overs (Rahane 1, Vihari 12)

Rahane collects a single off the second delivery of the over to finally open his account, before Vihari collects his first boundary of the innings with a drive off a full delivery, working the ball through the gap between square leg and midwicket. Double to Vihari off the last ball. Seven off the over.

FOUR! A welcome boundary for the Indians as Vihari drives the ball through the gap between square leg and midwicket off an overpitched delivery from Green. IND 75/3

IND 70/3 after 28 overs (Rahane 0, Vihari 6)

Mitchell Starc brought into the attack for the first time today with a little over 30 minutes left in the session. Bowls a beauty to Vihari off the fourth, the ball gliding narrowly outside the off stump after angling in. Maiden to start the day with for the left-arm pacer.

IND 70/3 after 27 overs (Rahane 0, Vihari 6)

Vihari adds another three runs to his tally after a leading edge that falls safely wide of gully off the second delivery. Green appeals loudly for lbw against Rahane two balls later, but umpire Reiffel shakes his head, and Paine doesn’t want to go for the review.

Hanuma Vihari’s scores in Tests in Australia:

20, 28, 8, 13, 42, 16, 8 

Can he go on to get a big score today?

Bowlers dismissing Pujara most times in Tests:

10 – N Lyon

7 – J Anderson 

4 – T Boult, S Broad, J Hazlewood, B Stokes, P Cummins*

IND 67/3 after 26 overs (Rahane 0, Vihari 3)

Paine continues with Cummins’ extended spell at the start of Day 2. Has given them two wickets in as many overs, and could potentially yield another. Nearly does in the third delivery of this one as an outside edge off Rahane’s bat falls short of Burns in the slips. Second maiden on the trot.

IND 67/3 after 25 overs (Rahane 0, Vihari 3)

Maiden for Green, his first in this innings, as Vihari chooses the leave the ball alone. India, meanwhile suddenly under pressure as Australia’s relentless tactics finally pays off for them in the form of two quick wickets, and Rahane and Vihari will have bring their A-game forward to tackle this challenge and avoid a repeat of the Adelaide debacle.

IND 67/3 after 24 overs (Rahane 0, Vihari 3)

Pujara pushes at a full delivery outside off through cover point off the second delivery, coming back for a comfortable second run. His resistance is snuffed out for good after a multitude of close calls with an outside edge off the fourth delivery which is followed by some sensational stuff by Paine behind the stumps. Drinks taken after the dismissal, with Paine’s decision to stick to Cummins reaping rewards for the Aussies in the form of the wickets of the two set overnight batsmen. Vihari walks out to the crease, and gets off the mark with three runs off the last delivery of the over after a push down the ground.

OUT! One wicket quickly fetches another, as Tim Paine collects a screamer behind the stumps after an outside edge off Pujara’s bat, resulting in the fall of India’s third wicket! The umpire signals drinks after that dismissal. IND 64/3

Pujara c Paine b Cummins 17(70)

IND 62/2 after 23 overs (Pujara 16, Rahane 0)

Stand-in-skipper Ajinkya Rahane joins Pujara at the crease after Gill’s feisty innings comes to an end. Dot off each of the first three balls, with Pujara collecting a single off the fourth after working the ball through the midwicket region. Rahane leaves the last couple of deliveries alone.

IND 61/2 after 22 overs (Pujara 15)

Cummins continues from the other end after Paine’s decision to replace Hazlewood with Green, with Gill and Pujara collecting a single each off the first five deliveries before the latter’s caught-behind off the last delivery of the over. Cummins finally reaps the success of his testing line and length after numerous close calls earlier today.

OUT! Shubman Gill misses out on his half-century on debut by just five runs, as Pat Cummins’ persistence pays off off the last delivery of the 22nd over with an outside edge that carries all the way into the keeper’s gloves. A loose shot, attempting to drive the ball moving ever-so slightly away from the bat in the last second, with the feet hardly moving to begin with. IND 61/2

Gill c Paine b Cummins 45(65)

IND 59/1 after 21 overs (Gill 44, Pujara 14)

First bowling change of the day, as the lanky seamer Cameron Green gets introduced into the attack. And he manages to ruffle Pujara’s feathers right away, getting an outside edge that falls short of first slip off the last delivery. Two off the over, with Pujara collecting a brace off the penultimate delivery.

IND 57/1 after 20 overs (Gill 44, Pujara 12)

Gill adds to the score after 16 dots on the trot as he guides the ball through the gap between slips and gully with an outside edge at the start of the over that stays low. Plays a beautiful punch four balls later, which is intercepted at extra cover. Four off the over.

FOUR! Played with soft hands, did Gill, presenting the face of the bat to guide the ball between the slips and gully towards third man. IND 57/1

IND 53/1 after 19 overs (Gill 40, Pujara 12)

Pujara loses his balance while bringing out his stoic defence in the fourth delivery, getting rapped high on the pad after an inside edge. The only time he looks a little ruffled in what is Hazlewood’s first maiden over in this innings.

IND 53/1 after 18 overs (Gill 40, Pujara 12)

Swing-and-a-miss for Gill while attempting another of his flourishing drives off the fourth delivery of Cummins’ fourth over of the day. Fourth maiden for the top-ranked pacer this innings.

IND 53/1 after 17 overs (Gill 40, Pujara 12)

An attempt to block a delivery angling into Pujara off the fourth ball results in the red cherry flying dangerously close to the short leg fielder. Pujara’s beaten fair-and-square by a jaffa off the last ball of the over. Just one off the over, a single to Gill off the second.

Pat Cummins has now taken 36 wickets in the first 20 overs of a Test innings since 2018 – the second-most by a bowler. Broad has taken most wickets during the same period – 44.

Indian players to make a debut in Australia and score fifty-plus runs in the debut innings:

Dattu Phadkar, Sydney, 1947

Mayank Agarwal, Melbourne, 2018

Can Gill join the list today?

IND 52/1 after 16 overs (Gill 39, Pujara 12)

Cummins starts off with a steep bouncer to Pujara — who does what the best of bats would, duck. Shoulders a back-of-length ball outside off next up, followed by a brace off the third after clipping the ball through square leg. Peach of a delivery off the fourth, the ball nipping away from the outside edge last second as Pujara brings out his stoic defence. Back-to-back dots to end the over.

IND 50/1 after 15 overs (Gill 39, Pujara 10)

Gill’s charmed life continues as Paine misses out on another chance behind the stumps after yet another inside edge off Hazlewood’s bowling, this time the ball running all the way to the fine leg fence. And like in Hazlewood’s previous over, the lad from Fazilka follows it up with a shot of confidence, this time a drive through the covers that fetches him three runs. Pujara collects his first runs of the day, running three after working the ball through square leg to bring up the fifty partnership, which is followed by back-to-back dots.

FIFTY partnership up between Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara in the fourth over of the second day of the Boxing Day Test, with the latter running three off the fourth delivery of Hazlewood’s fourth over to bring up the milestone. IND 50/1

FOUR! Gill’s charmed life continues as another chance goes begging, this time the ball flying past Paine after another inside nick off Gill’s bat. IND 44/1

IND 40/1 after 14 overs (Gill 32, Pujara 7)

Another chance that falls short, this time the ball landing just short of Wade’s reach in the slips after Cummins manages to induce a outside nick off Pujara’s bat. Back-to-back maidens for Cummins, with Pujara yet to score this morning after facing a dozen deliveries.

IND 40/1 after 13 overs (Gill 32, Pujara 7)

Another bowler starts the day with an appeal, this time Hazlewood for an lbw against Gill, though the ball seemed to be drifting a long way down leg. DROPPED! Tim Paine puts down a chance while diving to his left after Hazlewood manages to get an inside nick off Gill’s bat. Gill responds to the close shave with a lovely on-drive next ball, placing it wide of catching mid on for a boundary. First runs of the day for the visitors.

FOUR! First boundary of the day, and this comes off Gill’s bat right after he’s droppped by Paine behind the stumps off the third delivery of the second over of the day. Lovely flick for an on-drive that’s placed wide of the catching mid on. IND 40/1

India have won both the Tests under the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane – against Australia at Dharamsala in 2017 and against Afghanistan at Bangalore in 2018. 

This is the 100th Test match between India and Australia.

Australia have lost only two Boxing Day Tests out of their last 10 that they played at MCG.

IND 36/1 after 12 overs (Gill 28, Pujara 7)

Appeal for caught-behind first up, and Paine goes for the review right away, knowing this is the wicket of India’s finest and grittiest batter at stake. Smallest of spikes on RTS around the time the ball passes the outside edge of Pujara’s bat, but not conclusive enough to overturn the umpire’s original decision of not out.

Cummins starts off with a maiden first up on the second day.

Right then, 13 players and two umpires walk out to the centre of the colosseum that is ‘The G’ at the start of the second day of the Boxing Day Test. It will be Patrick Cummins up against Cheteshwar Pujara first up today with what is a relatively new cherry in hand. Remember, the danger is still not over for the two batsmen as far as seeing the new ball threat is concerned.

Indian batsmen would look to be “confident without being reckless” and take one session at a time, said pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah after a fine bowling performance put the visitors in command against Australia on the opening day of the second Test. 

SL on top on Day 1 of Boxing Day Test

The visiting Sri Lankans seemed to have picked up from where they left off in their 2-0 sweep in 2019, finishing on a commanding score of 340/6 at stumps on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa at the Supersport Park in Centurion.

‘It was the biggest achievement of my life’

Mohammed Siraj had quite the first day in Test cricket on Saturday, picking up three wickets after being brought into the attack right away after lunch, including that of the well-set Marnus Labuschagne. The pacer from Hyderabad, who had lost his father just before the tour commenced, described getting his maiden Test cap as his biggest achievement in his life so far.

While India did field much better on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test than they did in Adelaide in the Pink-Ball game, it should not take the sheen away from the superlative performances of Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin and debutant Mohammed Siraj.

Welcome to Day 2 of the second Test between hosts Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Jasprit Bumrah (four wickets) and R Ashwin (three) were on fire on Saturday as they saw off Australia, who won the toss, for 195 in their first innings. In reply, Mayank Agarwal was dismissed for a duck, and task has been cut out for Cheteshwar Pujara (7*) and Test debutant Shubman Gill (28*) to take the visitors forward. Stay tuned as we will bring you all the updates.