Rohit Sharma was visibly furious in the slip cordon after young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped a straightforward catch during the second session on Day 4 of the Boxing Day Test.
The missed opportunity came at a critical moment in Australia’s second innings, giving Marnus Labuschagne, who was well-set on 46, an extra life. Rohit, usually calm and composed, couldn’t hide his frustration and punched the air in exasperation after the costly drop. India were in a commanding position at 99 for 6 when Labuschagne offered the chance off Akash Deep’s bowling. Standing at gully, Jaiswal went for the catch with hard hands, only for the ball to rebound off his palms and fall to the ground.
This was the second catch Yashasvi had dropped on Day 4. Earlier, in the third over of Australia’s innings, he missed a tough chance to dismiss Usman Khawaja, who was on 2. Positioned at leg gully, Jaiswal struggled to react quickly enough to Khawaja’s powerful flick. Khawaja capitalised on the reprieve, adding 19 runs before being dismissed by Mohammed Siraj.
Labuschagne, however, made the most of his second chance, reaching his third fifty of the series. The former World No. 1 batter was instrumental in keeping Australia in contention, scoring half of the team’s total by the second session and pushing their lead beyond 200 runs.
It went from bad to worse for Yashasvi as he put down a chance to dismiss Pat Cummins in the final over before Tea. Cummins was batting on 20 when Jaiswal, this time at silly point, dropped a sharp chance. Rohit once again vented out his frustration at his opening partner.
Marnus Labuschagne and Pat Cummins added an unbeaten 44-run stand for the seventh wicket.
BUMRAH RAZES THROUGH MIDDLE ORDER
Despite these lapses, India’s overall fielding intensity improved significantly after conceding a 105-run first-innings deficit. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s brilliant 114 had helped India recover and post 369, but the team needed their bowlers to step up, and they did just that. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj delivered a fiery opening spell, dismissing Sam Konstas and Khawaja early. At Lunch, Australia were 53 for 2, with Steve Smith and Labuschagne holding fort.
The partnership between Smith and Labuschagne kept the scoreboard ticking in the second session until Mohammed Siraj struck with a clever sucker ball. Smith, tempted into an expansive drive to a delivery wide outside off-stump, edged it to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
Jasprit Bumrah then unleashed a devastating spell that left Australia reeling. He accounted for Travis Head (1), Alex Carey (2), and Mitchell Marsh (0) in quick succession, reducing Australia from 80 for 2 to 91 for 6. The dramatic collapse saw Australia lose four wickets for just 11 runs before Labuschagne earned he extra life.