Australia v India: Yashasvi Jaiswal run-out sparks collapse after Steve Smith ton in Melbourne Test

Visitors stumble to 164-5 in reply to Aussies' 474 as Rohit Sharma fails once again with the bat

India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal walks back after getting run out during day two of the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Getty Images

Virat Kohli edged behind to the keeper once again as India collapsed in the fourth Test. Getty Images

India captain Rohit Sharma played a poor shot to be out cheaply. AFP

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Scott Boland of Australia celebrates the wicket of Akash Deep of India during day two of the Men's Fourth Test Match in the series between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone / Getty Images)

Australia's Steve Smith hit his second century of the series. AP

Steve Smith reacts as the ball runs onto his stumps on the second day. AFP

Australia turned the screws on India in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne as Steve Smith hit his second century in as many matches before India's batting failed spectacularly in the final hour.

After struggling initially in the series, Smith roared back into form with a sizzling 140 as Australia amassed a daunting 474 in their first innings of the fourth Test on Friday.

Australia's lower order batted brilliantly as the hosts, who started the day on 311-6, took the score closer to 500 and the match beyond India's grasp.

With more than 87,000 fans in attendance, Australia plundered the runs before being dismissed soon after lunch. Smith's brilliant 140, which included 13 fours and three sixes, ended when he was bowled by Akash Deep in bizarre circumstances, with the ball trickling off his body after charging down the wicket.

Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah once again carried the bowling load with hardly any support from the other end, finishing with 4-99, while spinner Ravindra Jadeja took 3-78.

Scott Boland picked up two wickets late in the day. Getty Images

There was more hardship awaiting India as captain Rohit Sharma walked out to bat as an opener alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rohit's promotion to the top meant an in-form KL Rahul was asked to bat at one down, while Shubman Gill was dropped from the XI.

The decision backfired, as was expected. Rohit did not look settled at any stage and spooned a simple catch off Pat Cummins after attempting a strange pull shot.

Rahul steadied the ship with Jaiswal before the former was bowled by Cummins for 24 via a brilliant off cutter.

In walked Virat Kohli and he looked like taking India through to close of play without further damage.

Jaiswal was batting superbly, scoring boundaries at will and also hitting a six. But in the final 45 minutes of play, India lost the plot completely.

Jaiswal, batting on 82, went for a non-existent single to mid on and ended up on the same end with Kohli, run out easily by the wicketkeeper.

From 153-2, India lost momentum. Next over, Kohli – possibly rattled by that run out – again edged a wide and full ball from Scott Boland behind to be out for a well made 36. The tourists were forced to send in night-watchman Akash Deep, who could not survive until the end and was out for a duck.

Rishabh Pant and Jadeja took India to close of play at 164-5, still 310 runs behind Australia and staring at the possibility of a follow on.

Australia are now favourites to take a lead in the series, and they can thank Smith for putting them in that position.

Earlier in the day, Smith padded up again on 68, with skipper Cummins alongside him on eight.

The veteran batsman showed his intent early with a four from Bumrah while Cummins also batted with freedom. They took 15 off one Akash Deep over to bring up their 50-run partnership before Smith hooked Bumrah for six.

Smith reached his 34th Test century with a boundary off Nitish Kumar Reddy, which came on the back of a return to form at the last Test in Brisbane where he made 101.

It was a patient innings from the 35-year-old and moved him alongside four other players on the all-list of century-makers, including Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara.

The rest of Australia's lower order also showed good application to take the total past 450. Cummins (48), Mitchell Starc (15) and Nathan Lyon (13) showed good application to keep India on the field as long as possible.

Rohit's captaincy deficiencies were laid bare once again as he allowed the game to drift, failed to plug the gaps and even let tail-enders take easy singles.

Having failed spectacularly as captain and batsman, this is most likely the end of Rohit's Test career.