Ajinkya Rahane led India mounted an inspiring comeback in the four-match Test series by winning the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by eight wickets. The action on Day four started with Australia at 133/6 with a lead of just two runs over the visitors. The Indian bowlers who enjoyed a good time out in both innings dismissed the hosts at 200 in the second innings.
India chased down the target of 70 in 15.5 overs with eight wickets in hand. A win that has now leveled the series at 1-1 with two games to go. Many interesting numbers emerged from India’s win in the Second Test:-
- It was India’s 100th Test match against Australia and their 29th win against them. Overall, this was India’s 52nd away win in Test matches.
- This is the first time India have won a Test match in Australia when their captain has scored a century.
- This is India’s eighth Test match win in Australia. Half of them have come at the MCG (two at the Adelaide Oval and one each at the SCG and WACA).
- Ajinkya Rahane became only the sixth Indian captain to win a Test match in Australia. Bishan Singh Bedi (2), Sunil Gavaskar, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, and Virat Kohli (2) are the others.
- This is for the first time since Boxing Day Test 2008 that a visiting team has won a Test match at the MCG batting second. Last team to do so South Africa.
- The last time none of Australia’s batsmen failed to reach the fifty score in a home Test was against West Indies at the MCG in 1988/89.
- Ajinkya Rahane scored his 12th Test hundred in the match. India have remained unbeaten whenever he has scored a century. Nine wins and three draws.
- Mohammed Siraj became the first visiting player to bag five wickets on his debut in a Boxing Day Test. He is also the second-highest wicket-taker for India in a Test match debut. Only behind Syed Abid Ali (7 vs Australia, 1967 Adelaide).
- This is the first time that Australia have lost a home Test match with both Steve Smith and Pat Cummins in the playing XI.
- Steve Smith currently has a batting average of 3.33. The lowest his average has gone in his career is 20.00, which was against Pakistan last summer down under.