Melbourne: For the first time in the series, Australia managed to get the upper hand on Jasprit Bumrah. His initial six-over spell gave away 38 runs, and the batters seemed pretty relaxed on a solid pitch.

But true greatness shines through when things get tough, and despite all his talent, it’s often Bumrah’s determination that helps him recover.

With 87,242 fans in attendance—the largest crowd for a day of Test cricket between Australia and India in Australia—cricket showcased everything it has to offer. A young player going up against one of the game's legends, some fiery moments, a little shoulder bump, partnerships that put the hosts in a strong position, and a comeback led by the relentless Bumrah. This is the kind of drama that only Test cricket can provide. If you stuck around, you were bound to see something special.

By the end of the day, Australia stood at a solid 311/6. Solid… but only because they were cruising at 237/2 earlier. India’s resilience brought them four wickets for just 62 runs, leaving them feeling much better than they did after the first hour. At the crease for Australia were Steve Smith with 68 runs and captain Pat Cummins on 8.

The first hour was something special, setting a high bar for the rest of the day. It was cricket at its finest, with every ball full of excitement. Sam Konstas joined the team to take on Bumrah, and he did way more than that. He kicked off the game with a performance that’s sure to raise expectations for the young player.

The Australian opener struggled for a bit but then decided to go for it. Runs started pouring in with a mix of fours, sixes, reverse ramps, and scoops, and the massive Boxing Day crowd loved every moment, cheering loudly. After that first hour, Australia clearly made their mark.

“He’s a legend of the game, so I was just trying to put some pressure on him, and it worked out today, but he took three wickets and shifted the game’s momentum later,” Konstas said after play. “I always aim to challenge myself and bring out my best. I wanted to get into a contest with him and take away his lines.”

It all paid off for him that day. Sure, there was a bit of luck, but his confidence showed he deserved it. What really stood out was his attitude; he was ready to take charge and played smartly once the field opened up.

Konstas’s early aggression really helped Usman Khawaja out. The left-handed batsman had been having a tough time against Bumrah, but with Konstas taking charge and facing the pacer, Khawaja was able to settle in and find his groove more comfortably.

When Konstas was finally dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja for 60 runs off 65 balls, it looked like India might have a chance to make a comeback. However, Marnus Labuschagne stepped up and formed a solid 65-run partnership with Khawaja.

The batting conditions were favorable, but the visitors stayed focused on their game. Australia might look back and wish their top three batsmen had made the most of their starts—after Konstas, Khawaja scored 57 and Labuschagne hit 72.

By lunch, they were sitting at 112/1 after 25 overs. But in the second session, India really tightened their grip with some disciplined bowling. Khawaja’s wicket, taken by Bumrah off a half-tracker, brought a sigh of relief from the bowler, and the control shown by skipper Rohit Sharma’s team was impressive. At tea, Australia found themselves at 176/2 after 53 overs.

“It wasn’t the easiest conditions to bowl in,” said India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. “We thought the pitch was good for batting, and in situations like that, it’s crucial to stick to your plans. I felt we came back really strong after lunch, bowling those maidens and applying pressure on the opposition.”

Nayar commented on Konstas, saying, “Sometimes you get caught off guard when someone plays a shot like that, but I thought we handled it really well. Throughout the day, we kept pushing, and in the end, we reaped the benefits of our efforts.”

After tea, Labuschagne and Steve Smith teamed up, and the runs started to come in again. Just six overs into the final session, they had already scored 41 runs, putting pressure back on India. The bowlers were feeling the strain, and finishing the last session of the day can be tough, but the visitors managed to snag enough wickets to keep their spirits high.

Washington Sundar, who only bowled in the 52nd over, got lucky when Labuschagne hit a simple catch to Virat Kohli at mid-off. That was the turning point for India.

Not long after, Bumrah delivered a stunning ball that nipped back just enough to knock off the off bail, sending the dangerous Travis Head back for a duck. Mitch Marsh didn’t stick around much longer either, leaving Australia at 246/5.

If India had managed to grab a couple more wickets at that moment, it could have turned the tide in their favor. However, Alex Carey stepped up with a crucial 31 alongside Smith, helping Australia reach a more secure position. The 53 runs they added brought Australia closer to 300, which could pose another challenge for India since they’re a batter short.

The match is still up for grabs. Australia has runs on the board, but the conditions are favorable for batting. Just like the unpredictable Melbourne weather, things could change in an instant.

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