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MELBOURNE: In just 28 deliveries, India lost the advantage they had built for most of the afternoon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). From a solid 153/2, the hosts collapsed to 159/5 in what was a mad period of 30 minutes on Day 2 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test between India and Australia.
Yashasvi Jaiswal called for a run which was always going to be tight, Virat Kohli nicked one outside off after showing a lot of character during his 86-ball 36 and Rishabh Pant showed zero game awareness when he exposed nightwatchman Akash Deep in front of Scott Boland.
It could have been a different story and a much better ending to the day for the visitors but that period of chaos has now put Australia in the driving seat as they still have a 310-run lead, and are just one wicket away from exposing India’s lower-order.
The momentum switched sides at a rapid pace, largely due to India’s own mistakes, as they handed over the day to Australia on a platter. Jaiswal and Kohli had done all the hard work with their 102-run stand but the adrenaline rush got the better of the left-hander who went for a needless single off the last delivery of the 41st over.
Jaiswal was batting beautifully and switched gears after completing his half-century as the runs came at a brisk pace after reaching the milestone. Before the mix-up, he had two boundaries and a six, and was in no mood to play for the clock. Just 18 short of what could have been his second hundred of the series, Jaiswal wanted the strike back to possibly have a crack at three-figures before stumps but mix-up not only cost him the wicket but also triggered a collapse.
After just 12 deliveries, Kohli poked at a Boland delivery outside the off-stump and night watchman Akash Deep lasted only 13 balls before India lost their third in quick succession.
Prior to that, it was India all the way as both Jaiswal and Kohli saw off the challenging period and were looking to cash in as the ball got softer. Kohli, in particular, looked very solid and was comfortably shouldering arms to deliveries he had been otherwise chased in the series. Every time Australia bowlers tempted him for one, Kohli let it go to the wicket-keeper and smiled back.
The plan was not a top secret anymore but Kohli had trained his mind better for the fourth Test. He kept leaving, drove deliveries which were under his eye and made the bowlers bowl more towards his body.
In the post-day press conference, Steve Smith lavished praise on the India batter and felt he was looking good for the big one today. Not just Kohli, Jaiswal was looking in an ominous mood after seeing off the testing period with the new ball but that mix-up came at the worst possible time for India.
There is still some batting left but India need to bat out of their skins to make a contest out of this fixture now. They had it in control for most of the afternoon session but small lapses in concentration reduced them to 164/5 at stumps. Those small lapses are expected to have a big impact on the outcome of the game.
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