Stand-in captain stands firm to put India in command at MCG

In what could go down in the history of Indian cricket as one of the grittiest displays of batting, stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane scored his first hundred of the tour to put India in commanding situation at the end of Day 2 of MCG Test.

India, who resumed the day on their overnight score of 36/1, lost Shubhman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara in the first session with Gill falling just five short of his maiden Test fifty.

After the lunch, Hanuma Vihari and Ajinkya Rahane steadied the ship with a 52-run partnership before Vihari gloved his sweep to Steven Smith.

Rishabh Pant’s innings of 29 came at a relatively brisk pace, helping India shave off Australia’s lead substantially. However, the highlight of the day was the unbeaten 104-run stand between Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja which helped the visitors secure a lead of 82 runs.

With overcast conditions prevailing throughout the day and rain interruption, Rahane’s innings was the hallmark of the Indian innings. The Indian skipper tired out the bowlers before unleashing his drives on the introduction of the new ball. Jadeja, at the other end, was patient enough to support the skipper. For Australia, Cummins was again the tormentor in chief bagging the wicket of Pujara and Gill, while Starc removed Pant.

Day three of the Test holds great promise for the Indian team which would want to build on the lead, and hope that the conditions remain as overcast as they were on Day 2 assisting the pacers with movement.