The fourth Test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has been a thrilling contest, with both teams showing grit and determination. Australia set a huge target of 474 runs, thanks to a brilliant century from Steve Smith. His knock was the highlight of the day, with the Australian side reaching 474 all out just after lunch on the second day. Smith’s century came after a dominant partnership with captain Pat Cummins, who was dismissed just shy of a half-century by Ravindra Jadeja.
While Smith’s performance stood out, it was India’s bowlers who fought hard to break the Australian resistance. Jasprit Bumrah played a vital role, claiming four wickets, including that of Nathan Lyon. Jadeja, with three wickets, also made a significant impact, keeping the pressure on the Australians.
Off the field, the relationship between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith continues to spark interest. The two have had their share of intense moments on the field, but there is a mutual respect between them. Kohli, known for his fiery persona, has shown support for Smith during tense moments, such as in 2019 when he urged the crowd at The Oval not to boo the Australian. Smith, in return, has acknowledged Kohli’s sportsmanship, describing him as a “great guy” and a “wonderful player.”
Kohli’s relationship with the Australian crowd, however, has been more turbulent. In 2011, he was booed at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and in 2012, Australian players sledged him when he was on 99 at the Adelaide Oval. A ball was even thrown at him during a 2014 MCG match. Despite this, Kohli has maintained his focus on the game, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
Recently, Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee for a minor on-field incident with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test. While this incident brought attention to the competitive nature of the sport, it didn’t overshadow the positive moments that also emerged from the match. In a fine show of sportsmanship, Kohli was the first to congratulate Smith after his century, offering a sincere pat on the back and recognising the quality of Smith’s knock.
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