Melbourne: India took five on Sunday on the second day of the second Boxing Day Test against Australia, thanks to an unbeaten 104-run partnership for the sixth wicket with captain Ajinkya Rahane (104 not out) and his all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (40 not out). 277 runs on the wicket and achieved a significant lead of 82 runs in the first innings.
Rahane scored the 12th of his career and his first century as captain. This is Rahane’s third Test as captain and this century came at a time when India was in dire need of it. India lost the first Test, their second innings in Adelaide rolled to their lowest score of 36 and regular captain Virat Kohli returned home in January due to the birth of his first child.
Rahane, 32, played a century in front of him like a warrior in such odd circumstances. Rahane completed his century by hitting Pat Cummins for a four. As Rahane completed his century, everyone in the entire Indian camp stood in their place and welcomed their captain’s applause for this wonderful innings.
Rahane has hit 12 fours in an unbeaten 104 off 200 balls till stumps. With him, Jadeja is at the crease after scoring 40 runs in 104 balls with the help of a four. The two have shared an unbeaten partnership of 104 runs in 194 balls for the sixth wicket.
In India’s first innings, young opener Shubman Gill scored 45, Cheteshwar Pujara 17, Hanuma Vihari 21 and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant scored 29 runs. For Australia, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins took two wickets each while Nathan Lyon took one wicket.
