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India win Boxing Day Test to level series 1-1

By Mumbai Indians

After a crushing defeat at the Adelaide Oval, India scripted a strong comeback with an eight-wicket victory in the second Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

Losing the toss and put to field first, the visitors did well to restrict Australia under 200 before skipper Ajinkya Rahane’s ton put them in the driver’s seat. Later, another good performance from the bowlers meant India just had to chase 70 runs for their second consecutive Test win at MCG. 

We take you through some of the talking points in the Boxing Day Test match between Australia and India. 

Bumrah continues to impress 

Jasprit Bumrah continued to lead the Indian pace attack with great precision as he picked a four-wicket haul in the first innings. He backed it up with another couple of wickets, getting Smith bowled and then breaking the frustrating seventh-wicket stand on Day Four.

Ajinkya Rahane leads from the front 

Just when India needed him the most, Ajinkya Rahane played a captain's knock at the MCG. He not only registered his second ton in the ground but also his first one as a skipper. 

He added 52 runs with Hanuma Vihari for the fourth wicket, 57 runs with Pant for the fifth wicket, and finally a 121-run partnership with Jadeja to take India to a strong position. 

Ravindra Jadeja shines with the bat 

Walking out to bat at number seven, Ravindra Jadeja not only batted with patience but also got amongst the runs. He went on to score a crucial fifty in an important partnership between him and Rahane which helped India extend the lead to 131 runs. 

Umesh Yadav joins the injury list 

After Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav became the third pacer from the Fab Four to suffer an injury. The speedster complained of pain in his calf in the middle of his fourth over following which he was taken off the field by the physio. 

A memorable debut for Siraj 

Mohammed Siraj got into the act in the first innings after accounting for the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne. He also trapped Cameron Green in front of the stumps to end with two wickets. However, it was in the second innings where he stepped up in the absence of Umesh Yadav. 

The debutant got the better of Travis Head on Day Three. Green who troubled the Indian bowlers for a while finally lost his composure and gave Siraj his second wicket. He later cleaned up Lyon to finish with overall match figures of 5/77. 

Shubman Gill makes a good first impression 

Making his Test debut, Shubman Gill managed to impress many with his performance batting at the top-order. After scoring 45 in the first innings, he stayed unbeaten on 35* to help India reach the target comfortably. 

This was India’s third victory in Tests under the captaincy of Rahane as they now level the series 1-1 with two matches to go.