IND vs AUS 2nd Test Live Score and MCG updates
Hello everyone! And a warm welcome to our live coverage from the opening day of the second test between India and Australia in Melbourne. India is sporting a new look for this contest with a new captain in Ajinkya Rahane and two debutants in Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj. Rarely has an Indian team been at such a difficult crossroads in recent years as after the humiliating defeat in Adelaide and the departure of Virat Kohli for the birth of their son. Read also: IND vs AUS, 2nd test, day 1: Bumrah, Ashwin Star as Australia was out of 195
But the good news is that star-in-waiting Gill is ready to honor his team’s leap of faith in him when he makes his tryout debut at the mighty Melbourne Cricket Ground. Similarly, the young workhorse Siraj will temporarily step in to fill the void created by the injury of the crafty Mohammed Shami and will deal with how he is handled by Rahane, considered the captain of a bowler. Also Read – India vs Australia 2nd Test: Tim Paine Survives Controversial Exit During IND vs AUS Boxing Day Test at MCG
It is not about defeat, but about the form of capitulation that can come back to haunt a side that does not lack quality. The next few days will be a test of real character and it is only fair that there is a strategic shift on the cards. A couple of forced tactical changes and the same amount were always on the cards for the visitors as they face off against Tim Paine’s confident men, who are spending Christmas without their families. Read also – Boxing Day Test: Rishabh Pant does an MS Dhoni, approves Ravichandran Ashwin’s advice to fire Matthew Wade in the 2nd test between India and Australia WATCH
Gill’s languid approach and that extra second as he takes on fast pitchers, coupled with a much tighter technique than Prithvi Shaw, could give the locker room the confidence it needs in trying times. It will have the Mayank company Agarwal, who would like to make an encore, if not better, of his performance at a venue where he made his Test debut.
Similarly, Rishabh Pant, whose intention always brings much more security than a passive Wriddhiman Saha, is expected to play his fearless style of cricket, which is the need of the moment.
Playing XI
Australia XI: Tim Paine (captain & sem.), Joe Burns, Matthew Wade, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon
India XI: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (week), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
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