Another Collapse Mirrors Mumbai’s Woes
India’s batting frailty surfaced once again, this time on the second day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). In a span of just 25 minutes, a promising innings crumbled, echoing the nightmare of November 1 against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium. Three wickets fell for six runs, including a run-out and the swift dismissal of a nightwatchman, turning the tide firmly in Australia’s favor.
Mumbai Flashback: A Recipe for Disaster
At Wankhede, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s reverse-sweep misadventure against Ajaz Patel triggered a collapse, taking India from 78/1 to 84/4 in just eight balls. Mohammed Siraj, sent in as nightwatchman, lasted only one delivery, trapped leg-before. To add to the chaos, Virat Kohli’s run-out compounded India’s woes, leaving the team reeling.
Melbourne Déjà Vu: History Repeats Itself
On Friday at the MCG, Steve Smith’s brilliant 34th Test century and his partnership with Pat Cummins powered Australia to a commanding 474. In reply, India stumbled early, losing Rohit Sharma to Cummins in the second over and KL Rahul just before tea. At 51/2, the pressure mounted as Virat Kohli joined a confident Jaiswal at the crease.
For two hours, the duo weathered Australia’s attack with grit. Kohli’s patience mirrored his pre-2020 prime, while Jaiswal blended composure and aggression. Their partnership of 102 runs steadied the innings, with Jaiswal particularly punishing loose deliveries.
Turning Point: Jaiswal’s Run-Out Sparks Collapse
With only 25 minutes left in the day, a moment of misjudgment undid India’s hard work. Jaiswal drove Scott Boland to mid-on and set off for a quick single. Miscommunication with Kohli left both batters stranded at the striker’s end, allowing Cummins to secure an easy run-out. Jaiswal walked back after an impressive 82, visibly frustrated as he mouthed, “my call.”
This moment marked a turning point. The MCG crowd, mostly subdued until then, erupted with joy as Australia’s momentum surged.
Kohli Follows, Nightwatchman Falters
Jaiswal’s dismissal seemed to weigh on Kohli. Moments later, he edged a Boland delivery to Alex Carey, departing for a well-fought 50. From 153/2, India slumped to 153/4 in quick succession.
India sent Akash Deep as the nightwatchman, a decision that backfired. Deep, who had played a critical role in Brisbane, couldn’t fend off a rising delivery from Boland and fell cheaply.
Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja managed to see out the day, taking India to 164/5, but the team was still 310 runs behind and facing an uphill battle.
Lessons from History: Nightwatchman Debate Rages On
The use of a nightwatchman remains a contentious tactic in Test cricket. While it has seen occasional success, such as Tony Mann’s century in 1977-78, it often leaves the team vulnerable against quality bowling attacks. England’s “nighthawk” strategy, inspired by Bazball, is a modern twist, but India’s reliance on a traditional nightwatchman has frequently misfired.
India’s Path Ahead
With the top order back in the pavilion, the onus now lies on Pant and Jadeja to rebuild. The team’s response on day three will determine whether they can salvage the Test or allow Australia to dominate further. India’s recent collapses highlight a need for introspection, particularly around their decision-making under pressure and ability to adapt to challenging conditions.
