Melbourne, Australia
The absence of captain Virat Kohli, known as “King Kohli”, had left India’s fans fearing another heavy defeat in the second test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
But stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane gave a regal performance of his own on Sunday, scoring his 12th test century to put India in a powerful position by stumps on the second day.
Resuming on its overnight tally of 36-1 in reply to Australia’s 195, India advanced to 277-5 to hold an overall lead of 82 runs, with Rahane’s unbeaten 104 the stand-out innings of the match so far.
Reaching his classy century off 195 balls with a cut through backward point for his 11th boundary, Rahane briefly and modestly raised his bat and quietly wiped the sweat from his brow, before continuing on, as India fights to level the series.
“This knock was all about patience,” said opener Shubman Gill, who made an impressive 45 on debut. “The way that Ajinkya Rahane played, it was such a magnificent knock to watch. “The loose balls, he was making sure he put them away.”
Showing quiet determination on Sunday, India’s batsmen patiently chipped away at the host’s lead. India had reached 189-5 at tea in overcast conditions on a grass-covered pitch that favoured the seamers.
In a composed knock that has included 12 fours from 200 deliveries, Rahane steadied his side’s response, sharing half-century partnerships with Hanuma Vihari (21) and Rishabh Pant (29) and a century stand with Ravindra Jadeja (40 not out).
Earlier, India had moved carefully to 90-3 at lunch, losing two wickets in Sunday’s first session.
Gill (45), who was dropped twice, and Cheteshwar Pujara (17 off 70 balls) added 61 before pace bowler Pat Cummins struck in successive overs.
Gill was caught behind by Tim Paine at 61-2. Cummins pounced again in his next over, removing Pujara as Paine took a spectacular, diving catch.
That catch gave Paine the wicketkeeping record for fastest to reach 150 test dismissals, reaching the milestone in his 33rd match, ahead of South Africa’s Quinton de Kock (34 matches).
Vihari gloved an attempted sweep after lunch and was caught at slip off spinner Nathan Lyon’s bowling at 116-4.
Mitchell Starc (2-61) became the ninth Australian man to claim 250 test wickets when the left-arm quick removed Pant caught behind for 29 at 173-5.
But it could have been a much better day for Starc. Rahane on 57 edged a catch to the vacant first slip off Starc’s bowling. Starc took the second new ball after 80 overs as Australia attempted a late rally. Three balls later, Rahane on 73 edged to second slip where Steve Smith dropped a tough chance at head height in a pivotal moment.—AP
