Pat Cummins has bowled Australia back into the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with a spirited eight-over spell ahead of lunch on Day Two.
Cummins earned his reward for probing lines while Gill paid for his unsure footwork. Failing to move his front foot, Gill played a loose stroke outside the off-stump and managed an edge that nestled into Paine’s gloves.
The Cummins-Paine duo were in action in the former’s next over. Bowling his seventh over on a trot, Cummins drew Pujara to commit to a false shot with an excellent delivery that shaped away, and the ball took the edge. The chance was taken as Paine went low down to his right to complete a stunner.
Pujara was batting with surety throughout the innings until Cummins delivered an in-angler. The ball just straightened a touch off the pitch and found the edge.
It was traveling quickly and both first slip and Tim Paine went for it.
Fortunately for Australia, the skipper’s full-stretched dive to his right was just enough to grab a superb low catch. Pujara is back to the hut for 17 runs off 70 balls.
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Despite the positive start to the session, Pujara, Rahane and Vihari dropped the shutters. They employed a cautious approach as India managed just 54 runs in the session.
Paine introduced Nathan Lyon late into the attack with the seasoned off-spinner bowling just two overs before lunch.
(With Input From SportsKeeda)
