After getting big fish in Virat Kohli, Scott Boland has struck again, and this time, Akash Deep became his victim on Day 2 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne.
Akash Deep, hero of the Gabba Test, where he helped India to avoid the follow-on in the third Test against Australia, was dismissed for a duck by Scott Boland in the third session of Day 2 in the ongoing fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Also Read: Watch: Virat Kohli’s blunder? Yashasvi Jaiswal gets run out after horrible mix-up at MCG
Scott Boland removes Akash Deep as India stumble at 164/5 in Boxing Day Test
The nightwatchman couldn’t survive against a sharp nip-backer from the Australian pacer. Akash Deep tried to defend but got an inside edge onto his thigh pad. The ball flew behind him towards the leg gully, where Nathan Lyon made a brilliant dive to take the catch just inches above the ground to ensure Akash Deep’s dismissal.
Akash Deep returned back 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 at 164/5 at the stumps against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) December 27, 2024
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s wicket leads to India’s dramatic collapse against Australia in the Boxing Day Test
Meanwhile, India was in a strong position at 153 for 2, but a disastrous mix-up between Yashasvi Jaiswal (82) and Virat Kohli (36) led to the young opening batter’s dismissal 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 is in a strong position, eyeing a big lead and possibly bowling India out before they reach the follow-on 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).
Read Also: Watch: Intense clash erupts between Australia and Indian fans over Virat Kohli at MCG
Earlier in the match, Virat Kohli looked confident from the start, showing good judgment in leaving balls outside off and playing late. On the other hand, Jaiswal played a solid knock, and they together put on a 100-run partnership, bringing India back into the game.
India still 111 runs away to avoid the follow-on in the Boxing Day Test
However, the momentum fell out of India’s hands when Jaiswal was run out trying for a risky single. This possibly influenced Kohli, who soon edged one to Scott Boland, as the outside off stump channel once again perished the Indian batting icon at the MCG. After Akash’s wicket, India now trails by 310 runs and still needs 111 more to avoid the follow-on against Australia.
With the ongoing five-match Test series tied at 1-1 and two matches remaining, the contest is evenly poised. If Team India loses the ongoing MCG Test, it would severely impact their chances of making it to the WTC 2023-25 final, as their fate would be out of their hands.
On the other hand, if Australia loses, it will be a tough 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 offer plenty of bounce, and the seamers are likely to enjoy the conditions.