3 minute read

A snapshot of day two of the second cricket Test between Australia and India at the MCG.

AUSTRALIA v INDIA, SECOND TEST, DAY TWO:

Score: Australia 195 versus India 5-277.

Summary: India rode their luck at various times throughout the day as Australia's fielding let the tourists off the hook, with multiple dropped catches and close shaves proving costly for the hosts. Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane took advantage and posted a wonderful unbeaten century to lead India into a strong position by stumps with a first-innings lead of 82.

Man of the moment: Rahane was called up to lead India - already 1-0 down in the series after their embarrassment in Adelaide - in Virat Kohli's absence. He could not have handled the pressure any better. Rahane's gritty and stylish 104 not out came when India needed it most on a pitch that offered plenty of life for the bowlers.

Key moment: Australia had taken the new ball and Rahane was on 73 when he was dropped by Steve Smith at second slip off Mitchell Starc's bowling. It deflated Australia and Rahane went on to become the first batsman in the series to score a hundred. Smith's blunder came a short while after Rahane (then on 57) had nicked Starc through a vacant first slip as Australia were left to rue their field placement. Finally, the ball popped high off Rahane's glove as he fended off another Starc delivery and it was caught by a diving Travis Head, but popped out when the fieldsman hit the ground. Rain stopped play moments later.

Stat of the day: Australia have conceded a first-innings lead to India in the first two Tests of a home series for the first time since the 1985-86 season.

Quote of the day: "Pretty frustrating day if I'm being honest. I think the bowlers hung in there pretty well all day ... we created chances, but it's not like the Australian fielding team. We dropped way too many chances." Australian offspinner Nathan Lyon told ABC radio.