India vs Australia 2nd Test: A Gritty Showdown Ends in Thrilling Fashion
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Match Summary: India beats Australia to level the series 1-1.
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India staged a memorable comeback in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), delivering a statement performance against Australia. After the heartbreak of the first Test in Adelaide, where India suffered a shocking collapse for just 36 runs in the second innings, the visitors bounced back emphatically to win the MCG Test by 8 wickets.
The victory was a testament to India’s resolve, tactical brilliance, and the emergence of young heroes under immense pressure. Let’s delve into how the match unfolded.
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Day 1: Australia Bat First, Indian Bowlers Dominate
Australian captain Tim Paine opted to bat after winning the toss, expecting MCG's pitch to deteriorate later. However, Indian bowlers were relentless from the start. Jasprit Bumrah struck early, dismissing Joe Burns, while the ever-reliable Ravichandran Ashwin trapped Matthew Wade with a deceptive delivery.
Ashwin, extracting turn and bounce from the surface, further dismantled Australia’s middle order, removing Steve Smith cheaply. Smith, struggling for form, departed for a rare duck — a huge blow for the hosts. Marnus Labuschagne showed some resistance, top-scoring with 48, but lacked support as the Indian pacers and Ashwin dominated proceedings.
Mohammed Siraj, on his Test debut, bowled with composure and picked up two crucial wickets, including that of Cameron Green. Australia were bundled out for just 195 runs in their first innings, a disappointing total given the conditions. Bumrah led the attack with 4/56, while Ashwin finished with 3/35.
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Day 2: Rahane Leads from the Front
India began their innings confidently despite losing opener Mayank Agarwal early to a fiery Pat Cummins delivery. Shubman Gill, playing in his debut Test, displayed remarkable composure and flair. His elegant drives and confident stroke play frustrated the Australian bowlers as he stitched together a valuable 61-run partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara.
The turning point, however, came with India’s stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane walking to the crease. Rahane led from the front with a superb century, playing a captain’s knock under immense pressure. His innings was marked by grit, patience, and textbook shot selection. Rahane, along with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, added 121 runs for the sixth wicket, frustrating the Australian bowlers.
Rahane’s knock of 112 was a masterclass in resilience and precision, ensuring India posted a healthy first-innings total of 326. Jadeja’s all-round contribution of 57 runs added vital runs to India’s total, handing them a 131-run lead.
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Day 3: Indian Bowlers Tighten the Grip
With a significant deficit to overcome, Australia faced the daunting task of tackling India’s in-form bowling attack. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj struck early, dismissing the openers before Ashwin once again bamboozled Steve Smith, continuing his dominance over the Australian star.
Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head tried to steady the ship but were undone by disciplined bowling. Siraj’s relentless line and length, combined with Bumrah’s sheer pace, kept Australia in check. Ravindra Jadeja then struck twice, removing Labuschagne and Paine, further denting Australia’s hopes.
Australia managed a modest second-innings total of 200 runs, leaving India a target of 70 runs to win. Bumrah finished with 2/54, while Siraj, Ashwin, and Jadeja chipped in with crucial breakthroughs.
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Day 4: India Seal a Famous Victory
India’s chase of 70 runs was not without hiccups, as Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc bowled with fire, dismissing Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill early. However, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane stayed calm, guiding India home with 8 wickets in hand. Rahane fittingly hit the winning runs, capping off a stellar performance as captain and player of the match.
India’s victory not only leveled the series 1-1 but also showcased their remarkable character following the Adelaide debacle. The bowlers, particularly Bumrah and Ashwin, were outstanding, while debutants Gill and Siraj proved that India’s bench strength is as good as any in world cricket.
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Key Performances:
Ajinkya Rahane: 112 (Player of the Match)
Jasprit Bumrah: 4/56 in the first innings
Ravichandran Ashwin: 3/35 and 2/71 across both innings
Mohammed Siraj: 5 wickets on debut (2 in the first innings, 3 in the second)
Shubman Gill: 45 & 35*
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Conclusion
India’s victory at the MCG will go down as one of their most famous comebacks in Test cricket history. The win not only restored pride but also set the tone for the rest of the series. Rahane’s leadership, marked by tactical astuteness and personal brilliance with the bat, was instrumental in India’s resurgence. The team now heads into the third Test in Sydney with renewed confidence and momentum, leaving Australia with plenty to ponder.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is far from over, and with both teams eyeing the prize, cricket fans can expect more fireworks as the series unfolds.
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Final Scorecard:
Australia: 195 & 200
India: 326 & 70/2
India won by 8 wickets.