07:10

Day two of the Boxing Day Test was one of the more frustrating in the long history of this great but often maddening game. On a pitch not conducive to a fast-paced contest, and with a ball that stubbornly refuses to do anything, India opted to grind Australia down, occupying the crease for all but half-an-hour, only rarely showing any intent to move the match forward.

During this period Che Pujara crawled to a century and Virat Kohli fell just short as the day meandered along with little of note to rouse the 30,000 or so inside the MCG. The evening session brought some excitement as India finally came out of their shell but even that was done in a circumspect fashion, like a tortoise poking out its neck to sense its surroundings before scuttling mindfully on.

This phase was dominated by Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant and it contained a couple of the poorest dropped catches in recent memory, both off the bowling of the luckless Nathan Lyon. He and Pat Cummins toiled for limited reward but were the pick of a tired and weary attack that was forced to send down 170 overs across two days in near 40C heat.

Kohli’s declaration handed Australia a testing half hour at the crease before the close, one that was navigated successfully. A draw remains the likeliest outcome but India will feel they have a massive opportunity tomorrow to send a few shockwaves through the home dressing room. To find out what happens come back here for more from me, Geoff and Adam.

