12:39 (IST)
What a day for Team India! Ajinkya Rahane, given the task of pulling the side out of the gloom after the 36 all out disaster, dishes out perhaps the finest knock of his career with vital support from his teammates Gill, Vihari, Pant and Jadeja as the visitors stretch their lead to 82 at the close of play with five wickets still left.
The prospect of a 100-run lead would've delighted the Indians after they bowled Australia out for 195, and it took some brilliance and determination on the part of Rahane and Co to not only achieve the target, but also frustrate their opponents and force them to make mistakes after bowling brilliantly early on in the innings.
Hope you enjoyed our coverage of the second day of the Boxing Day Test. See you all tomorrow!
12:32 (IST)
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.
12:24 (IST)
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.
12:19 (IST)
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.
12:17 (IST)
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.
12:15 (IST)
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
12:09 (IST)
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.
12:06 (IST)
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!
12:03 (IST)
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.
11:58 (IST)
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.
11:53 (IST)
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.
11:49 (IST)
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.
11:45 (IST)
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.
11:44 (IST)
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
11:40 (IST)
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.
11:38 (IST)
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
11:31 (IST)
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.
11:25 (IST)
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.
11:22 (IST)
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.
11:18 (IST)
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.
11:14 (IST)
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.
11:09 (IST)
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.
11:05 (IST)
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.
11:04 (IST)
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
11:03 (IST)
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
11:02 (IST)
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.
10:58 (IST)
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.
10:55 (IST)
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.
10:52 (IST)
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
10:52 (IST)
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.
10:46 (IST)
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.
10:41 (IST)
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.
10:37 (IST)
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!
10:36 (IST)
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
10:32 (IST)
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.
10:28 (IST)
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.
10:25 (IST)
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
10:23 (IST)
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.
10:18 (IST)
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.
10:06 (IST)
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).
09:50 (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.
09:48 (IST)
Ravindra Jadeja batting average in Tests:
2016 - 37.50
2017 - 41.00
2018 - 45.60
2019 - 62.85
2020 - 25.00
09:43 (IST)
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.
09:41 (IST)
FOUR! Four byes, Starc dug that one in real short and it evaded everyone.
09:39 (IST)
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.
09:37 (IST)
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.
09:35 (IST)
FOUR! Full, down the leg side from Starc. It evades everyone and races towards fine leg.
09:32 (IST)
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.
09:31 (IST)
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.
09:28 (IST)
Fewest Tests to 150th dismissal as a keeper among Australians:
33 : Tim Paine
36 : Adam Gilchrist
39 : Rod Marsh
India vs Australia 2020 Live score and latest update of 2nd Test at Melbourne: 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.
Day 1 report: A resilient India bounced back from their embarrassing first Test exploits to bundle out Australia for just 195 and take a grip on the second Test in Melbourne after a riveting opening day on Saturday.
After their horror show in Adelaide last week, where they lost by eight wickets and were skittled for 36 in their second innings, the tourists were desperate to start well.
And they delivered after Australian captain Tim Paine won the toss and chose to bat in front of 27,615 socially-distanced fans, just short of the maximum allowed under coronavirus restrictions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
On a pitch offering turn and bounce, the hosts found it hard going against a high-quality attack led by Jasprit Bumrah (4-56), Ravi Ashwin (3-35) and the impressive Mohammed Siraj (2-40), making his debut for the injured Mohammed Shami.
Marnus Labuschagne top-scored with 48 but that was as good as it got.
It left Indian openers Shubman Gill, also on debut, and Mayank Agarwal needing to negotiate 40 minutes at the end of the day.
Agarwal was not up to the task, trapped lbw by a Mitchell Starc in-swinger in the first over.
Gill was dropped on five by Labuschagne but otherwise looked comfortable, smacking five boundaries to reach 28 and help steer India to 36 for one at close with the experienced Cheteshwar Pujara unbeaten on seven.
"In the first session we were just trying to bowl in the rights areas," said Bumrah, who praised Siraj for "bowling his heart out".
He added that the plan on Sunday was for the batsmen to be positive, rather than conservative.
"We're just looking to control the controllables, not being reckless but being confident."
With Ajinkya Rahane captaining the side in place of Virat Kohli, who has returned home for the birth of his first child, India got off to a perfect start, getting Burns (0), Matthew Wade (30) and Smith (0) before lunch.
It left Australia in trouble but Labuschagne rode his luck, surviving two review decisions, to lead a recovery, putting on 86 with Travis Head (38).
Head had a nervous start but grew in confidence before Bumrah enticed an edge which carried to Rahane at gully, sparking a collapse.
Labuschagne looked set for a ninth half-century but a brilliant catch by Gill ended his vigil and handed Siraj his first Test wicket.
All-rounder Cameron Green ground out 12 before he too fell to Siraj, then an excellent catch by Hanuma Vihari off Ashwin accounted for Paine (13).
Nathan Lyon hit a cameo 20 but Australia's tail otherwise failed to wag.
Still in game
"We had probably three innocuous dismissals that we probably didn't need to, frustrating dismissals and they were guys who were set and in," said Labuschagne.
"Just need to be better there ... that whoever gets in on the day, whether myself or anyone else in the top order, we make sure we get big scores."
But he added: "I think we're (still) in the game."
With David Warner still injured, the hosts went into the clash unchanged, with Burns opening alongside Wade.
Burns hit an unbeaten 51 in Adelaide to relieve some pressure after a long lean spell, but his performance Saturday will once more raise questions over his place in the team.
He looked tentative against Bumrah and got a nick to a delivery he should have left.
At the other end, Wade had an escape on four but started finding the gaps before attempting a big hit off Ashwin, which proved his downfall for 30.
Ravindra Jadeja took the catch, but only just with Gill also underneath it. The pair collided but Jadeja managed to hang on.
Ashwin claimed the crucial scalp of Smith, who was undone by an off-break with Pujara holding a catch at slip after the world's top batsman faced just eight balls.
With inputs from AFP
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