Fourth Test: Australia Dominates after Smith’s 140 and India's Batting Collapse

Melbourne, Dec 27 (NationPress) Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli formed a solid 102-run partnership for the third wicket before a dramatic late collapse saw India conclude day two’s play at 164/5 in 46 overs, trailing Australia by 310 runs in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Following Steve Smith's remarkable 140, his 34th Test century and 11th against India, which propelled Australia to an imposing 474, Jaiswal and Kohli appeared to be in complete control in front of a crowd of 85,147 spectators. The likelihood of Jaiswal, who combined caution with aggression effectively, and Kohli, who exhibited a composed and vigilant presence at the crease, remaining unbeaten until stumps seemed highly probable.

However, chaos ensued as Jaiswal fell victim to a run-out after a disastrous mix-up, departing for 82. He was quickly followed by Kohli and nightwatchman Akash Deep, resulting in India plummeting from 151/2 to 159/5, drastically altering the match's dynamics.

With Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja not out on six and four respectively, India’s immediate goal will be to secure an additional 111 runs on Saturday to avoid the follow-on, following the last-minute madness that has put Australia in a dominant position once more.

In the morning session, resuming from 68 not out, Smith played in his typical style – hooking, driving, and slicing with ease, achieving his fifth century at the MCG, and marking his second three-figure score in as many matches against India, with a total of 13 fours and three sixes.

He received valuable assistance from Pat Cummins (49) and Mitchell Starc (15) in partnerships of 112 and 44 respectively, rendering the visitors’ bowling attack ineffective, with Jasprit Bumrah being the sole standout performer with figures of 4-99.

While India bowled tightly and Bumrah caused some issues, Smith navigated deliveries well at first, before quickly hitting three boundaries, with a standout square drive off Akash Deep in the 90th over. Cummins also capitalized on Akash, hitting four boundaries, including an attractive ramp shot over slip.

Smith reached the 90s with a hook for six off Bumrah before bringing up his century with a stunning cover drive off Nitish Kumar Reddy. Both Smith and Cummins targeted a wayward Mohammed Siraj effectively, with Cummins cutting him for two fours, while Smith hooked and thumped him for additional boundaries.

Cummins narrowly missed out on his fifty, caught attempting to loft off Jadeja, departing for 49 from 63 balls. Smith remained in excellent form, sweeping, lapping, and striking spinners for boundaries before Starc hit Bumrah over long-on for six, giving Australia a strong advantage in the first session.

After lunch, India experienced some relief when Starc was bowled by Jadeja, who turned the ball to rattle the off-stump. Smith soon followed in an unusual manner, dancing down the pitch to hit off Deep but unintentionally dislodging his own off-stump with a bottom edge.

Despite Scott Boland successfully overturning two lbw decisions with reviews, Jadeja eventually wrapped up Australia’s innings in 122.4 overs, trapping Nathan Lyon plumb lbw, as the hosts added 163 runs to their overnight score, establishing a commanding first-innings total.

India’s innings commenced poorly as captain Rohit Sharma, opening the batting for the first time in the series, played a half-hearted pull off Cummins, easily caught at mid-on, departing for just 3 runs.

This dismissal saw Rohit’s total runs in the series rise to a mere 22, extending his dismal form in Tests this year. From that point, Jaiswal exhibited poise, ramping and driving Cummins for boundaries, while KL Rahul showed remarkable composure, lighting up the session with three eye-catching boundaries.

Just as India seemed poised to finish the session positively, Cummins delivered an exceptional ball – a full delivery pitched on off-stump that seamed past Rahul’s bat to hit the top of off-stump, sending him back for 24 runs off 42 balls, allowing Australia to enter the tea break in high spirits.

The final session commenced with Jaiswal continuing his impressive display, ramping and pulling Pat Cummins for boundaries, while Kohli unfurled a beautiful cover drive against him for four more. Jaiswal excelled in his front-foot play, driving Scott Boland past mid-on and scoring off Starc with a thick edge before reaching his fifty.

Kohli was a picture of patience, leaving 41 percent of deliveries outside off-stump, which allowed Starc to stray off line, enabling Kohli to effortlessly flick and glance for boundaries.

Australia attempted to unsettle Kohli with a barrage of short balls, but he remained composed, ducking deliveries and playing a controlled pull off Cummins for four. Meanwhile, Jaiswal shifted gears, whipping Starc for four, dancing down the pitch to whip Lyon for another boundary, and scoring six and four off Mitchell Marsh.

After Jaiswal cut Boland for four, it appeared India would end the day on a positive note. However, fate had other ideas. On the final ball of the 41st over, Jaiswal flicked the ball to mid-on and called Kohli for a single, but Kohli, caught ball-watching, hesitated. This led to both batters being at the non-striker's end, resulting in Jaiswal's run-out, just 18 runs shy of yet another century on tour. Shortly after, Kohli fell for 36, edging Boland while playing outside the off-stump.

Boland came back to catch the inside edge off Akash’s bat, which was caught by a diving leg gully. Although Jadeja ended the day with a boundary off Starc, the late collapse meant India squandered their momentum, placing Australia in an excellent position for a significant lead.

Brief scores: Australia 474 in 122.4 overs (Steve Smith 140, Marnus Labuschagne 72; Jasprit Bumrah 4-99, Ravindra Jadeja 3-78) lead India 164/5 in 46 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 82, Virat Kohli 36; Scott Boland 2-24, Pat Cummins 2-57) by 310 runs.