After taking big fish in Virat Kohli, Scott Boland struck again and this time Akash Deep became his victim on Day 2 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne.
Akash Deep, hero of the Gabba Test where he helped India avoid follow-on in the third Test against Australia, was dismissed for a duck by Scott Boland in the third session of Day 2 of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024. -25 Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
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Scott Boland removes Akash Deep as India stumble to 164/5 in Boxing Day Test
The night watchman could not survive against a sharp backer from the Aussie pacer. Akash Deep tried to defend but got an inside edge on the thigh pad. The ball flew behind him towards leg gully where Nathan Lyon made a brilliant throw to take the catch just inches up the ground to ensure the dismissal of Akash Deep.
Akash Deep returned to the pavilion without opening an account after facing 13 balls in the ongoing Boxing Day Test. It was the third quick Indian wicket as the tourists ended Day 2 on 164/5 at stumps against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
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Yashasvi Jaiswal's wicket leads to India's dramatic collapse against Australia in Boxing Day Test
Meanwhile, India were in a strong position at 153 for 2, but a disastrous mix-up between Yashasvi Jaiswal (82) and Virat Kohli (36) saw the young opening batsman dismissed in the ongoing Boxing Day Test. By the end of Day 2, India had slipped to 164 for 5, losing three wickets for just 13 runs in a dramatic collapse against Australia at the MCG.
Australia are in a strong position, chasing a big lead and possibly eliminating India before reaching the next mark of 275, which is still 111 runs away, in the ongoing fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
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At the start of the match, Virat Kohli looked confident right from the start, showing good judgment in leaving balls out and playing late. On the other hand, Jaiswal played a solid knock and together they put on a 100-run partnership, bringing India back into the game.
India still 111 runs to avoid the continuation of the Boxing Day Test
However, the momentum fell out of India's hands when Jaiswal was run out attempting a risky single. This perhaps swayed Kohli, who went short for one off Scott Boland as the off-stump channel once again doomed the icon of Indian batting at the MCG. After Akash's wicket, India are now 310 runs short and need 111 more to avoid the follow-on against Australia.
With the ongoing five-match Test series tied at 1-1 with two matches remaining, the contest is evenly poised. If Team India loses the ongoing MCG Test, it would severely affect their chances of reaching the WTC 2023-25 final as their fate would be out of their control.
On the other hand, if Australia lose, it will be a heavy blow for them as they haven't won a Test series against India in over ten years. The pitch at the MCG is expected to provide plenty of bounce and bowlers can enjoy the conditions.