🏏Australia vs India, 4th Test: Melbourne, 26 - 30 Dec 2024: Day 5 🏏 - Page 16

The Australian top order Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschange, and Steve Smith scored half-centuries which has put the hosts in a dominant position at the end of Day-1 in Melbourne at 311/6 against India. Smith and Pat Cummins remain unbeaten at the end of Day’s play.

Australia finish the day on top. Sam Konstas, on debut, set a strong foundation with a fearless approach, taking on India's best bowler, Bumrah, and winning that battle. His efforts helped Australia post their first 50+ opening partnership of the series, ensuring the other batters weren't exposed to the new ball.

Before the match slip from their hands, Indian bowlers have to rise to the occasion and control the Australian batters within 400 + runs. Then the match will be more interesting.

Originally posted by: Rosyme

Virat Kohli, former India captain, has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee in the India vs Australia 4th Test in Melbourne after a shoulder barge incident with debutant Sam Konstas on Thursday, sources told NDTV.

Virat be like abhi ek insta par post karke 50 times paisa recover kar leta hoon

India needs Shami to support Bumrah from other end. Siraj has got enough chances but performed only in few matches.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEBtQhBvwMl/?igsh=MXMwbHQxNGVycG15ag==

Now where are the people who says kohli is a gentleman

Originally posted by: Prizi

seriously man there was no need for that shoulder barge

Abbe khel k dikhao.. Score banao

Originally posted by: Moonks

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEBtQhBvwMl/?igsh=MXMwbHQxNGVycG15ag==

Now where are the people who says kohli is a gentleman

🏏Australia vs India, 4th Test: Melbourne, 26 - 30 Dec 2024: Day 2 🏏

Hello everyone and welcome to the second day's play from the MCG. It was a fantastic start to this Test yesterday, headlined by Sam Konstas them with Jasprit Bumrah again doing his thing and Virat Kohli somehow being unable to walk in a straight line. What does today hold? I'm Andrew McGlashan and along with Karthik Krishnaswamy will bring you the action.

"It's much cooler today. It'll be a max of 22 degrees. Has been slightly overcast but the sun is now making an apperance. Great day to bowl. But the pitch should be better for batting. It did plenty with both new balls yesterday. It doesn't feel like a 400 first innings par surface but Australia have the chance to get there if Steve Smith and the tail can scratch out 89 runs this morning. Jasprit Bumrah will have plenty to say about that. But he already has 21 overs in his legs. It's a huge day for India. If they get the first two hours wrong they will face a huge mountain to climb to get back into the Test match."

Sunil Gavaskar Blasts Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne Over Boxing Day Test Incident, Has Clear Message For UmpiresSam Konstas (60), Usman Khawaja (57), Marnus Labuschagne (72), Steve Smith (68) scored half-centuries but Jasprit Bumrah yet again turned out to be India's saviour with a three-wicket haul

The first day of the India vs Australia 4th Test in Melbourne on Thursday saw the hosts' batters dominating the show before the Indian bowlers struck back. Sam Konstas (60), Usman Khawaja (57), Marnus Labuschagne (72), Steve Smith (68) scored half-centuries but Jasprit Bumrah yet again turned out to be India's saviour with a three-wicket haul. Debutant Konstas was particularly impressive as he showed zero nerves and tackled the Indian bowling attack with ease.

However, one incident that particularly irritated Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan, part of the official broadcasters' commentary panel, was that the Australian batters were running on the pitch while taking a run. They came down heavily on the umpires, Konstas and Labuschagne.

This is how the interaction went after India captain Rohit Sharma was seen warning Marnus Labuschagne.

Irfan Pathan: "Rohit Sharma is telling Marnus Labuschagne, when you are running on the pitch, you are doing it in the middle of the strip."

Sunil Gavaskar: "Even Sam Konstas. He was running straight on the pitch. Nobody told him anything."

Irfan Pathan: "This is the job of the umpires."

Sunil Gavaskar: "The umpires are just watching. The discussion that is going on between Rohit and Marnus Labuschagne, the umpires are just watching."

Meanwhile, Konstas and Virat Kohli were on Thursday involved in a physical altercation because of which Virat was fined 20 per cent of his match fee and handed a demerit point even though it was played down as an accidental bump by the 19-year-old debutant.

The brief showdown took place after the 10th over of the Australian innings on the opening day of the fourth Test here when the players were crossing over. Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders while moving across the pitch in a showdown that was initiated by the travelling star.

Kohli was eventually charged with breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig.

He accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft at the end of day's play.