After their brilliant show against Australia on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test, India’s effort to level the series can be seen on the second day too. Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane smashed his 12th Test century and remains unbeaten along with the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

Debutant Shubman Gill’s luck favoured on the second day too as Marnus Labuschagne failed to grab the catch early on in his innings just before the end of Day 1. However, the Aussie pacer Pat Cummins finally provided with the breakthrough as he dismissed Gill who missed out on his maiden half-century by only five runs. Meanwhile, the speedster struck again in his very next over and dismissed the key batsman Cheteshwar Pujara where Tim Paine grabbed a one-handed stunner behind the stumps and Team Indian soon reduced to 64 for 3.

Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane came at No.4 and started to resurrect the innings with Hanuma Vihari. Starting from 90-3, Vihari became the first victim in the second session who fell for 21 by Nathan Lyon.

However, Rishabh Pant’s entry ensured an increased scoring rate as the wicket-keeper batsman looked quite comfortable in the middle but got out just before the end of the session for 29.

Soon after his dismissal, which ended the 57-run stand for the fifth wicket, Rahane hit another Test half-century. Joined by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, Rahane tried to steady the ship once again. Rahane got another life after Steve Smith failed to grab him at second slip.

The duo counter-attacked the Aussie bowlers with ease where Rahane smashed his 12^th Test century at MCG. Team India ended the second day at 277 for 5 on the board in 91.3 overs, having a lead by 82 runs. Rahane (104*) and Jadeja (40*) are unbeaten after the day’s game as well.