Australia vs India, 2nd Test: Ajinkya Rahane gritty ton puts India on top of things against Australia on Day 2

Ajinkya Rahane-led from the front and hit an outstanding ton to assist India seize control on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday (December 27). India were batting at 277 for five after the top of Day 2’s play, taking an honest lead 82 runs.

Rahane stitched useful partnerships with different batsmen to assist India take hold . Rahane’s partnership with Ravindra Jadeja was the highlight of the day. Rahane and Jadeja came together after the dismissal of wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.

India started Day 2 with score off 36 for 1. Shubman Gill was batting fully form before he was dismissed for 45 runs. Pat Cummins claimed his second wicket of the day when he dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara (17) caught behind the wickets. When Pujara was dismissed, India were reeling at 64 for 3 but Rahane joined hands with Hanuma Vihar (21) to steady the ship. Rahane and Vihari added 52 runs for the fourth wicket while trying to comb a Nathan Lyon delivery.

After Vihari’s dismissal, Pant came to the crease and it had been then when India began to score freely. Pant batted with a positve mindset and it helped Rahane also as he started playing fluently. Rahane and Pant added 57 runs before Mitchell Starc dismissed Pant (29 off 40). Tim Paine grabbed an honest catch to dismiss Pant.

India were trailing Australia by 22 runs when Jadeja walked in to bat. Jadeja batted with a cool head and batted with extra caution to assist India grab a lead of 82 runs. Rahane remained unbeaten on 104 runs, while Jadeja was unbeaten on 40.