February 22, 2025

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AUS vs IND Day 2 Highlights: Smith’s Century, Cummins’ Blitz Leave India on the Back Foot

Cric Writer6 mins
AUS vs IND Day 2 Highlights: Smith’s Century, Cummins’ Blitz Leave India on the Back Foot
AUS vs IND Day 2 Highlights: Smith’s Century, Cummins’ Blitz Leave India on the Back Foot.[ Source: @CricCrazyJohns /X.com ]

AUS vs IND Day 2 Highlights: Smith, Cummins Propel Australia to 474

On Day 2 of the fourth Test at the MCG, Australia asserted their authority. Steve Smith scored a superb century. Pat Cummins had a strong all-round performance. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli resisted for India. But, a late collapse gave Australia control heading into Day 3.

Smith Hits 34th Test Century as Australia Piles Up 474

At 311/6, Steve Smith and Pat Cummins added a key 112-run stand for the seventh wicket. It pushed Australia past 400 runs. Smith kept up his great form. He scored 140 off 197 balls, with 13 fours and 3 sixes. The century marked his 34th in Test cricket and his second of the series.

Smith Hits 34th Test Century
Smith Hits 34th Test Century[ Source: @cricketcomau /X.com ]
Cummins played the perfect supporting role. He scored 49 off 63 balls before Ravindra Jadeja dismissed him. Jadeja also dismissed Mitchell Starc earlier in the session. Akash Deep ended Smith’s juggernaut in unusual fashion, as the Australian talisman chopped one onto his leg stump. Jasprit Bumrah ended the innings by trapping Nathan Lyon lbw. He took 4/99, with a total of 25 wickets in the series.

Australia’s first innings ended at 474 in 122.4 overs. This set the stage for their bowlers to exploit the MCG surface.

Cummins’ New-Ball Magic Dents India Early

Pat Cummins continued his stellar day by dismantling India’s top order. The Australian skipper dismissed Rohit Sharma of India for three runs in the second over. A short delivery forced an edge. Later, Cummins bowled an unplayable delivery to clean up KL Rahul. He had scored 24 runs off 42 balls, with three boundaries.

India fell to 51/2. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli had to rebuild.

Jaiswal, Kohli Stabilize India Before Late Collapse

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli [ Source: @CricCrazyJohns /X.com ]
India’s hopes rested on Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli. They added 102 runs, briefly shifting momentum to the visitors. Jaiswal showcased his remarkable form, scoring 82 off 118 balls with 11 fours and a six. The young opener had a ninth Test fifty. He looked set for a century before a mix-up with Kohli ended his innings.

Kohli, meanwhile, batted with patience and elegance. He scored 36 off 86 balls, including a sublime cover drive off Pat Cummins. After Jaiswal’s departure, Kohli lost focus. He nicked a Scott Boland delivery to the keeper.

Boland exploited India’s weakness. He dismissed nightwatchman Akash Deep. India fell from 153/2 to 164/5 at stumps.

India’s Position at Stumps on Day 2

India ended Day 2 at 164/5, trailing Australia by a massive 310 runs. Rishabh Pant (6*) and Ravindra Jadeja (4*) are the unbeaten batsmen. They must stop Australia from taking a big lead on Day 3.

Key Stats from Day 2

  • Australia’s First Innings: 474 in 122.4 overs (Smith 140, Cummins 49; Bumrah 4/99)
  • India at Stumps: 164/5 in 52 overs (Jaiswal 82, Kohli 36; Cummins 2/41, Boland 2/27)
  • Highest Partnership: 112 runs for the 7th wicket (Smith-Cummins)

Takeaways from Day 2

  • Smith’s Masterclass: Steve Smith’s century at the MCG proved his dominance. It put Australia in a strong position.
  • Cummins’ All-Round Show: Pat Cummins excelled with bat and ball. He made a big impact for Australia.
  • Indian Collapse: A strong partnership between Kohli and Jaiswal gave hope. But, India’s late collapse handed momentum back to Australia.

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