Steve Smith’s exceptional performance and India’s late batting struggles have positioned Australia favorably in the ongoing fourth Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Following Smith’s impressive 140 runs, Australia set a formidable first-innings total of 474, ahead by 310 runs after day two of the Test.

At the close of play on Friday, India found themselves at 164-5, struggling to maintain momentum after a promising start where they were at 153-2. Rishabh Pant remained unbeaten on six, while Ravindra Jadeja had four runs, both hoping to recover the innings after a challenging final half-hour. Australia’s bowlers, Scott Boland and Pat Cummins, showcased their skills with two wickets each, effectively disrupting India’s early rhythm.

Notably, Indian captain Rohit Sharma stepped back into his conventional opener role, having recently experimented with batting further down the order. However, he could only contribute three runs before being caught off an attempted pull shot from Cummins. The cricketing spotlight briefly shifted to Yashasvi Jaiswal, whose composed innings of 82 runs highlighted his talent and potential as he executed a series of elegant boundaries. Unfortunately, Jaiswal’s solid stand was cut short due to a miscommunication with Virat Kohli, resulting in a premature end to a promising partnership.

Kohli himself faced challenges, managing only 36 runs before being dismissed by Boland. The final hours of play saw India’s tail-end falter, leaving them at a precarious position as they sought to stabilize their innings against a relentless Australian attack.

On the Australian side, Steve Smith resumed play after a dominant first day with confidence, accumulating runs at a swift pace. His innings, marked by 13 fours and three sixes, underscored his critical role in the team’s strategy and execution. This century, his 34th in Test cricket, marks a significant return to form following a previous century in Brisbane.

With the series tied at 1-1, the stakes for both teams are high, promising an intense contest as they vie for dominance in this five-match series. As cricket fans eagerly anticipate the developments, the match continues to unfold at a breathtaking pace, delivering thrilling displays from both sides.

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