IND vs AUS Live: Team India looks to bowl Australia out early on Day 2

FOUR! It's a half volley and outside off from Akash Deep. Pat Cummins drives this between cover and mid-off. Lovely shot from the Australia captain.

AUSTRALIA 342/6 vs INDIA

When 19-year-old Sam Konstas took strike against Jasprit Bumrah on the opening day of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the debutant was caught on camera muttering words to himself as the bowler steamed in. This habit persisted against every bowler, be it Bumrah or Mohammed Siraj, drawing curiosity from fans and commentators alike.

Australia’s decision to field Konstas for the final two matches of the Border-Gavaskar series proved to be a tactical masterstroke. The fearless teenager overcame a few early jitters to play a scintillating knock of 60 off 65 balls on debut.

Konstas didn’t shy away from taking on India’s star bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, unleashing a mix of innovative scoops, daring pulls, and unpolished slogs. His counterattacking approach rattled the Indian bowling attack, setting the stage for Australia’s strong start.

Although his innings ended when Ravindra Jadeja trapped him lbw after the second drinks break, Konstas walked off to a standing ovation. His 52-ball half-century became the third fastest by an Australian debutant.

FOUR! Full and a bit of swing outside off from Siraj. Cummins opens the face of the bat and guides the ball behind square for a boundary. Cummins did't put much effort while playing this shot.

AUSTRALIA 319/6 vs INDIA

His prolonged engagement with Bumrah in the opening spell provided Khawaja valuable protection, particularly significant given Bumrah had previously dismissed him four times in the series.

The swift half-century, achieved in 52 deliveries, alongside Australia's first substantial opening stand beyond 50 runs, effectively shielded the middle order batsmen from facing the new ball, especially against Bumrah.

The rapid scoring rate during the morning session afforded Australia the luxury to adopt a more patient approach after lunch, when the Indian bowlers maintained tighter lines and demonstrated enhanced discipline.

The temperature has dropped considerably, reaching only 22 degrees at its peak. Although cloudy earlier, the sun has begun to shine through. The conditions are favourable for bowling, whilst the pitch appears more conducive to batting.

Yesterday's new balls demonstrated significant movement.

Despite not appearing to be a surface where 400 runs should be achievable in the first innings, Australia have an opportunity to reach that mark if Steve Smith and the lower order can accumulate the remaining 89 runs this morning. Jasprit Bumrah will be crucial, though he has already delivered 21 overs.

For India, this is a critical day. Should they falter in the opening two hours, they'll face an enormous challenge to regain control of the Test match.

Australian cricket yesterday recorded its highest ever attendance for a single day. A total of 152,375 fans attended Day 1 of the NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the KFC BBL|14 matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Optus Stadium. This is a 26% increase on the record set 12 months ago when 120,662 fans came through the gates on Boxing Day 2023.

In Melbourne, a crowd of 87,242 watched Australia score 6-311 after electing to bat first in the fourth NRMA Insurance Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test. This was a record attendance for a day of Test cricket against India in Australia.

The day’s second match saw the Sydney Sixers defeat the Melbourne Stars by eight wickets in front of 23,212 fans, the largest ever crowd at the SCG’s annual Boxing Day fixture.

The national single day attendance record was then sealed at Optus Stadium, as the Perth Scorchers welcomed 41,921 fans – their second largest ever crowd for a home and away match – to watch them defeat reigning champions Brisbane Heat by 33 runs.

The Boxing Day attendance record comes after total and single day records were set for Test matches against India in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane and with the Big Bash achieving significant increases in attendances and broadcast audiences across Foxtel and Seven.

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer, said:
“Boxing Day 2024 has been a landmark day for Australian Cricket, with records tumbling across all three venues to play host to Test and BBL matches.

“To set a new single day attendance record of 152,375 is a proud moment for Australian Cricket and reflects our sport’s popularity and strength nationwide.

“Those at the MCG will never forget Sam Konstas’ incredible Test debut, while two thrilling BBL matches have continued a trend of nail-biting finishes every night.

“The unmissable on-field action has driven record crowds to every Test match, with all formats experiencing attendance and audience growth this summer.

“We thank all those who watched or attended a match on an incredible day for cricket and look forward to seeing packed venues around the country for the remainder of the summer.”

Star Indian batter Virat Kohli on Thursday avoided a ban following his physical on-field altercation with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the opening day of the fourth Test in Melbourne. The incident took place at the end of the 10th over when Kohli bumped shoulder with Konstas at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The collision quickly escalated into a heated exchange between the two players. Australian opener Usman Khawaja and umpire Michael Gough intervened, stepping in to mediate and diffuse the situation. The International Cricket Council (ICC), subsequently, fined Kohli 20 percent of his match fee and awarded one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

"The Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct relates to inappropriate physical contact with a player, player support personnel, umpire, match referee or any other person (including a spectator during an international match," the ICC said in a statement.

"No formal hearing was needed as Kohli accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft," it added.

Despite Kohli escaping a ban, the ICC’s decision has sparked widespread debate, particularly among former Australian cricketers and fans. Many have voiced their displeasure, arguing that the physical altercation warranted stricter action to maintain discipline on the field. The growing clamour suggests that a significant section of the cricketing community believes Kohli’s actions crossed a line, with calls for consistency in enforcing the ICC’s Code of Conduct.

The incident has reignited discussions about the treatment of high-profile players and the need for impartiality in disciplinary verdicts.

To understand why Kohli was not suspended following his altercation with Konstas, it is essential to examine Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct. This provision deals with “inappropriate physical contact with a player,” categorising such offences as Level 1 or Level 2 breaches depending on the intent and severity.

A breach of Article 2.12, can be differentiated into four levels of offence and the following factors are taken into account when assessing the seriousness of the breach: "(i) the context of the particular situation, including, without limitation, whether the contact was deliberate (i.e. intentional), reckless, negligent, and/or avoidable; (ii) the force of the contact; (iii) any resulting injury to the person with whom contact was made; and (iv) the person with whom contact was made."

According to ICC Code of Conduct, when a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and a player is banned but in case of Kohli this is the first demerit point that he has logged since 2019.

Had Kohli made physical contact with an umpire or match referee, it would have been classified as a Level 3 or 4 offence under the ICC Code of Conduct, warranting much harsher penalties, including a possible ban.

However, since the altercation involved Australian debutant Konstas and lacked any indication of deliberate aggression, Kohli’s actions were considered a Level 1 or 2 offence and that is why he escaped a stricter punishment. Hence, he received just one demerit point. Konstas, who enjoyed a stellar Test debut with a flamboyant knock of 60 off 65 balls, including six fours and two sixes, addressed the incident during the post-day press conference. The 19-year-old downplayed its significance, saying, "I was just doing my gloves, and I think he accidentally bumped me."

"I think that is just cricket, just the tension. For me, it's about having that freedom, backing myself, and trying to bring out the best version of me. I was lucky enough to get a few runs today," he added.

Former cricketer and head coach Justin Langer shared an intriguing conversation he had with KL Rahul regarding Sam Konstas’ fearless batting on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

Konstas, drafted into Australia’s squad for the fourth Test in place of Nathan McSweeney, had limited first-class experience but was thrust into the spotlight. The decision to include the 19-year-old debutant was a gamble, especially against India’s world-class bowling attack, but it paid off spectacularly.

Konstas had already impressed with his unorthodox stroke play in an unofficial Test against India A, and selectors decided to unleash him in front of a packed MCG crowd. Before the match, Langer discussed the young batter with Rahul, only for the Indian vice-captain’s assessment to be proven wrong.

"He's only played 11 first-class games, but I did speak to KL Rahul before the game. I asked him, 'Have you seen this kid, Sam Konstas?' And he said, 'Oh, we only saw him in the Prime Minister's XI game (50 overs). He was playing these ramp shots and all this sort of stuff.' Rahul said, 'But he won't do that today.' I said, 'Yeah, sure, he won't do that today.' And straight away, Sam Konstas was doing that," Langer recalled on Star Sports.

Konstas set the tone early, thrilling the crowd by executing a flawless ramp shot off Jasprit Bumrah for a boundary. His confidence and aggressive intent lifted Australia to a commanding position, showcasing his readiness for the big stage.

The teenager’s knock of 60 off 65 balls laid a solid foundation for Australia, who ended the day in a strong position at 311/6. His fearless approach earned praise from fans and former players alike.

"He's been given a licence to go and attack Bumrah, but that's not easy--that is so hard to do. Even in T20 cricket, I think Bumrah's economy rate is as good as anyone's. So it's not easy to do that. But the kid was bold, talking a good game, and then he came and put it into action. That's what great players do. Anyone can talk a good game. He came and put it into action, and it was exciting to watch," Langer added.

Konstas’ debut knock not only silenced skeptics but also positioned him as one of Australia’s brightest young talents. His bold stroke play was a key factor in the team’s strong showing on day one.

If Sam Konstas was instinctively inclined to target the much-feared Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, it was because of a harmless error made by his father when the adolescent was training. When the Boxing Day Test began in Melbourne on Thursday, Konstas played up to the anticipation around his skill by slamming a magnificent 60 off 65 balls, making a Test debut that will be remembered for a long time. More than his runs, it was Konstas' audacity to take on the world class Bumrah with the new ball that had the experts singing his eulogy.

Billy, Konstas' brother and a physiotherapist by trade, described how his father's mistake ultimately taught his younger brother how to tackle pace bowling at a young age.

"We were little kids and the first time dad took us to a bowling machine, he had it on 90 miles an hour, thinking it was 90 kilometres," Billy told Fox Cricket.

"Dad fed the machine, and he hit it straight out of the middle. I think from the age of five or six years old, this has always been his dream. It's a dream come true for all the family and feel very blessed and thank God for being here."

Australia finished the first day of the Boxing Day Test with a commanding 311 for six thanks to Konstas' extremely aggressive style, which set the tone.

Billy also disclosed that Konstas, who only made the move to first-class cricket last year after playing for St George and Sutherland, was optimistic about scoring well in his debut.

"I'm a physiotherapist by trade and he said 'Billy, can I get a massage?' and I asked him how many runs are you gonna score tomorrow?". He told me 'don't worry, I will score a few'. I looked after the young man and he seemed very relaxed," said Billy.

Konstas appeared to be at ease, but his family was a bunch of jitters. "It's been an unbelievable experience. Everyone was nervous walking into the ground, heart was pounding a bit."

Rohit Sharma is undoubtedly going through a tough twilight period of his cricket career both as a captain as well as a batter. He will look to resurrect it by possibly returning to his customary position as an opener in the ongoing Melbourne Test in hope of runs that help him regain confidence and poise as a leader.

With India's No. 3 Shubman Gill dropped from the eleven for an extra spin-bowling all-rounder in the form of Washington Sundar, KL Rahul will in all probability play the role of one-down batter, allowing Rohit to open again in Melbourne, and in the last Test at Sydney. Those four possible innings, believes former England spinner Monty Panesar, will be make-or-break knocks for the Indian captain's Test career.

"I think that (to open batting again) is the only option for Rohit," said Panesar, talking to Timesofindia.com from London. "To be honest, he's got four innings to save his Test career. If he doesn't perform that well, I think he will probably retire as well."

If that happens, it will be the second high-profile retirement of the series, with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin hanging his boots after the third Test in Brisbane, quitting international cricket with immediate effect.

If India fail to qualify for the World Test Championship final, their next Test assignment will be the five-Test tour of England in June-July 2025. For Rohit to play that, if he wants to, Panesar believes he will have to fire in Melbourne and Sydney.

"...With the five Test matches in England, I think Rohit should probably take the ownership and say 'right, you know, (in) overseas Test matches I have got to perform like I do...be aggressive, take it on'," said Panesar.

"If he does that, I think he will probably carry on as captain. But if he fails, I think he will be the first one to stand up and say, 'guys, I think I am done, and you have got to move on with the new team'. Especially with five Test matches in England, you have got to build a new side."

The five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy stands at 1-1 after three Tests, which means a win in Melbourne will ensure that India won't lose the series and thus remain the title-holders. But Australia have done well to reach 311 for 6 at stumps on day one.

If India can take the last four wickets quickly to wrap up the Australian first innings for under 350 and then the visitors' top order bats well, it will be game on.

"It's a big, big innings for him (Rohit) in Melbourne...I think especially that first innings is a big one for him. He's got to show good intent and start well because Australia are going to come out not holding back now," said the 42-year-old former left-arm spinner, who played 50 Tests for England.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who had opted to bat lower down the order in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy - a move that failed to yield the desired results - is likely to return to his customary opening role in the ongoing fourth Test against Australia at the MCG, according to assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. Rohit managed only 19 runs batting at number six in the second and third Tests. With the batting order reshuffle, KL Rahul will bat at number three as India has dropped Shubman Gill.

"Yes, Rohit will come up in the order and more likely than not, he will open the innings," Nayar told reporters on Thursday after the first day's play of the Boxing Day Test.

Nayar also explained the reasoning behind excluding Gill for the Boxing Day Test.

"I just feel for a young player in a position like that, a big day, he wants to make his mark. He understands it's the team's requirement and it's unfortunate, but I wouldn't say that he's been dropped per se. It's just unfortunate that he couldn't find his place in this game," he said.

He provided a detailed explanation of why selecting Washington over Gill for the MCG Test was a logical choice.

"A lot of the decisions when they are made, and the process of it being made, the communication is always there and transparency is there. It's pretty obvious that we felt in these conditions, looking at the pitch, having Washy in the bowling attack will give us that variation, especially towards the end once the ball gets old," he said.

"Post the 50 overs, we felt that was an area that we wanted to get better at. We felt Washy could give us that solidarity with Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja), especially the way Travis Head and Alex Carey were getting runs lower down. So we felt having an offie in the ranks will provide us with that."

Talking about the match, Australia's top four all notched scores of 50 or more, taking command on day one, with teenage opener Sam Konstas stealing the spotlight.

Batting first after captain Pat Cummins won the toss on a sweltering day, the hosts ended the day at 311/6 in front of over 87,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

They capitalised on some erratic early bowling and a blistering start from Konstas.

The 19-year-old, in a debut to remember, smashed an electrifying 60 off 65 balls, hammering 18 runs in a single over off Jasprit Bumrah and sharing a fiery exchange with superstar Virat Kohli.

Star India batter Virat Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and received one demerit point from the ICC on Thursday following an on-field altercation with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the opening day of the fourth Test in Melbourne.

The incident occurred in the 10th over when Kohli and the 19-year-old Konstas collided shoulders and exchanged words during the first session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Take a look at the previous occasions when Virat Kohli faced penalties from the ICC for his on-field violations:

2019 ODI World Cup

Kohli was fined 25% of his match fee for violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct due to "excessive appealing" during the ICC ODI World Cup match against Afghanistan in Southampton in 2019. The incident took place in the 29th over of Afghanistan's innings when Kohli aggressively approached umpire Aleem Dar while appealing for an LBW decision. Kohli acknowledged the offense and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Chris Broad, avoiding the need for a formal hearing.

Against South Africa in 2018

Kohli was penalised by the ICC for his behavior towards on-field umpire Michael Gough during the second Test against South Africa in Centurion. Kohli was fined 25% of his match fee and received one demerit point for "conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game."

The incident took place in the 25th over of South Africa's second innings when Kohli repeatedly complained to Gough about the damp ball—after play had resumed following a rain delay. He then threw the ball onto the ground in an "aggressive manner," as per the ICC's report.

Against Pakistan during Asia Cup in 2016

Kohli was fined 30% of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct by showing dissent after being given out during the Asia Cup match against Pakistan in Mirpur. Kohli acknowledged the offense and accepted the penalty imposed by match referee Jeff Crowe.

Against Australia in 2014

A no-ball dismissal of David Warner by Varun Aaron ignited tension on the fourth day of the Adelaide Test. Warner's shout of "Come on" led to heated exchanges with Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan. As a result, Warner was fined 15% of his match fee, while Kohli and Dhawan were each docked 30% following the altercation between the Indian and Australian players.

Against Australia in 2012

Kohli was fined 50% of his match fee after he was caught gesturing to the crowd with his middle finger during a Test match in 2012. The Level 2 charge was imposed by match referee Ranjan Madugalle on the third morning of the SCG Test.

Against New Zealand in 2010

Kohli was fined 15% of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during India's ODI against New Zealand in Dambulla. Kohli pleaded guilty to a Level 1 offense and accepted the penalty imposed by match referee Alan Hurst after play concluded. He was found to have violated section 2.1.3 of the code, which pertains to "showing dissent at an umpire's decision."

Virat Kohli has been fined 20 percent of his match fees and handed one demerit point for a physical altercation with Sam Konstas of Australia on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test. Tempers flared on Thursday when Kohli and Australia's Test debutant bumped into each other early on into the contest.

"Virat Kohli has been fined 20 percent of his match fee and awarded one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct," the ICC said in a statement.

"No formal hearing was needed as Kohli accepted the sanctions propsed by Match Referee Andy Pycroft," it added.

Kohli has been charged for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct that states, "Any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket. Without limitation, players will breach this regulation if they deliberately, recklessly and/or negligently walk or run into or shoulder another player or umpire."

"When assessing the seriousness of the breach, the following factors (without limitation) shall be taken into account: (i) the context of the particular situation, including, without limitation, whether the contact was deliberate (i.e. intentional), reckless, negligent, and/or avoidable; (ii) the force of the contact; (iii) any resulting injury to the person with whom contact was made; and (iv) the person with whom contact was made."

Luckily for Kohli, it has not been deemed a Level 2 offence which carries a penalty of three to four demerit points. And, four demerit points would have resulted in suspension for the next contest, which is in Sydney.

The brief showdown took place after the completion of the 10th over of the Australian innings when the players were crossing over.

Both players quickly turned around to glance at each other and engaged in a heated exchange of words with Konstas' teammate Usman Khawaja stepping in to separate them. The on-field umpires also had a word with the duo.

"I think the emotions got to both of us," Konstas said later. "I didn't quite realise, I was doing my gloves, then a little shoulder charge, but it happens in cricket," he added.

Former Australia batter and coach Justin Langer also commended Konstas, emphasising the difficulty of attacking a bowler of Bumrah’s caliber.

“He’s been given a license to go and attack Bumrah, but that’s not easy—that is so hard to do. Even in T20 cricket, Bumrah’s economy rate is as good as anyone’s. So it’s not easy to do that,” Langer remarked.

Langer shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote, revealing how India underestimated Konstas’ aggressive intent. “I did speak to K.L. Rahul before the game. And I said, ‘Have you seen this kid Sam Konstas?’ He said, ‘Oh, we only saw him in the Prime Minister’s XI game. He was playing these ramp shots and all this sort of stuff.’ Rahul said, ‘But he won’t do that today.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, sure he won’t do that today.’ And straight away, Sam Konstas was doing that.”

Konstas’ innings set the tone for Australia’s strong total of 311/6 at stumps, with Steve Smith (68 not out) and Pat Cummins (8 not out) holding the fort.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri lavished praise on Australian debutant Sam Konstas for his spectacular performance on day one of the fourth Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Shastri likened the 19-year-old opener’s maiden half-century to the flair and audacity of Virender Sehwag, describing it as an extraordinary display of “swagger and skill.”

Konstas, playing his first Boxing Day Test, stunned spectators and India’s bowlers alike with his fearless stroke play. The teenager’s bold approach, especially against Jasprit Bumrah, was the talk of the day. Shastri, speaking on Star Sports, said, “I don’t think anyone has taken or treated Bumrah like that in any format of the game, let alone red-ball cricket. For him to go out there with that swag and attempt some outrageous shots—it was something else. He tore that MCC coaching manual to shreds.”

Konstas dazzled with ramp shots and audacious pulls, leaving India’s bowlers searching for answers. Shastri noted how the young batter’s confidence initially caught the Indian side off guard. “They thought, ‘If he takes chances, we’ll get him quickly.’ But as soon as this started happening, all the smiles disappeared. The ideas disappeared,” Shastri observed. “At one point, it felt like India had run out of ideas. They actually didn’t know what hit them.”

Drawing comparisons with Sehwag, Shastri envisioned a bright future for Konstas. “He reminds me a lot of Virender Sehwag when he first burst onto the scene. He’ll entertain when he gets going, and he’s born to entertain. If he plays for any length of time for Australia, he’ll do exactly that,” Shastri added.

Shastri acknowledged Australia’s dominant position but credited India for staging a fightback. “At one stage, it looked like Australia would bat India out of the contest. When Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith were together, had that partnership carried on, Australia could have ended the day three or four down and in a tremendous position,” Shastri concluded.

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of Day 2 of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the MCG.

Jasprit Bumrah spearheaded India’s comeback in the final session of day one in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, claiming key late wickets. Despite Bumrah’s heroics, Steve Smith stood firm with an unbeaten 68, guiding Australia to 311/6 in 86 overs at stumps.

Earlier, debutant Sam Konstas dominated the first session, but India had the upper hand in the evening, taking four wickets. Bumrah, who ended the day with 3/75, was instrumental, claiming two scalps in a 23-ball stretch. However, Smith’s composed innings, featuring five boundaries and a six, ensured Australia surpassed the 300-run mark.

With the second new ball just six overs old, India will aim for early breakthroughs on Friday to halt Australia’s charge toward 400.

The final session began with Marnus Labuschagne striking consecutive boundaries off Ravindra Jadeja, completing his second half-century of the series in 114 balls. Smith, at the other end, looked in control, pulling and driving confidently to pick up three boundaries off Jadeja and Washington Sundar.

After the drinks break, Labuschagne attempted to loft Sundar over mid-off but ended up offering a simple catch, departing for 72 and breaking his 83-run stand with Smith.

Bumrah then struck twice, first dismissing Travis Head with a delivery that jagged back to clip the top of off-stump. He followed it by forcing Mitchell Marsh into an edge off a short ball, with Rishabh Pant completing a sharp catch behind the stumps.

Akash Deep joined the act, finally reaping rewards for his persistence by dismissing Alex Carey, who nicked a rising delivery to Pant after a gritty 53-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Amid the flurry of wickets, Smith remained unflappable, notching his 42nd Test fifty and his tenth fifty-plus score at the MCG. His resilience, combined with Pat Cummins’ unbeaten eight, ensured Australia ended a productive day for the hosts in front of a lively crowd of 87,242.