For both teams, the first day of the Boxing Day Test, which was contested at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), was extremely dramatic. As a strong red-ball activity took the stage on Day 1, there were numerous altercations between the two teams and numerous disputes between the oppositions.
One such instance was when Indian captain Rohit Sharma was observed advising Marnus Labuschagne for attempting to grab a run by stepping on the pitch’s danger zone.
Notably, running on the middle of the pitch is forbidden because it ruins the wicket by forming rough, dry spots on the surface. The Australian batter’s behaviour was also criticised by on-air pundits.
While providing Hindi commentary on air alongside fellow analyst Sunil Gavaskar, Irfan Pathan stated, “Rohit Sharma is telling Labuschagne that he is running in the middle of the pitch.”
“Earlier, Sam Konstas was also running in the middle of the pitch, but no one was saying anything to him,” Gavaskar stated.
“The umpires are merely observing.” The umpire is merely observing while Rohit tries to explain to Labuschagne,” Gavaskar continued.
🗣 #RohitSharma gets disappointed, warns #Labuschagne for running on the pitch during the #BoxingDayTest 🧐#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 4th Test, Day 1 LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/iNGMjtGXXQ
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 26, 2024
When Washington Sundar tried to remove Virat Kohli at mid-off, Marnus Labuschagne was removed. Labuschagne ultimately scored 72 runs off 145 deliveries, including seven fours. He reached his second half-century in the series with this.
With the senior pair of Pat Cummins and Steven Smith still undefeated, the Australians returned from the first day at Stumps with 311 for six wickets lost. Jasprit Bumrah was the best bowler for the Indians, with three wickets.
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