IND vs AUS: Why India players are wearing black armbands on Day 2 in MCG Test
India vs Australia Boxing Day Test: On Day 2, Australia dominated as Steve Smith hit his 34th Test century, leading to a strong 454/7 by lunch. India paid tribute to Dr. Manmohan Singh, wearing black armbands to honor his legacy.
IND vs AUS: Why India players are wearing black armbands on Day 2 in MCG Test
On the second day of India's fourth Test against Australia in Melbourne Cricket Ground, the team hoped to restrict Australia's total score under 400. Unfortunately, the day began with the sad revelation of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's passing. Known for his significant contributions as one of India's finest prime ministers and the finance minister in the 90s, Singh bravely battled health issues until the end.
Out of respect, the India cricket team wore black armbands on the field. The BCCI confirmed this through a statement on X (previously called Twitter,) a social media platform. Dr.Manmohan Singh's demise at the age of 92 occurred at AIIMS Hospital, New Delhi. Following this loss, a week-long national mourning was declared across the country.Meanwhile, the Australians confidently resumed their innings at 311/6 in MCG Test. The Indian team seemed to lack vigor at the start of the second day.
Steve Smith and Pat Cummins dominated the match, while the Indian side appeared slightly dispirited. Smith hit a majestic century his 34th in Tests. Cummins just missed his fifty but added vital runs. A whopping 112 runs were stitched together for the seventh wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja finally broke this alliance, but the damage was done. The powerful Smith remained unbeaten, hinting at an uphill battle for India. After having captured 6 Australian wickets for 311 runs on their first day, the Indian team wore black armbands on day two, which was not seen on the 26th. The crucial question remains: Why did the Indian team wear black armbands while since the Aussies resumed their rapid runrate?
On Day 2 of the IND vs AUS Boxing Day Test, Smith contributed a century. His effort placed Australia at an impressive 454/7 at lunchtime. This setup put them on track for a significant initial score. Though Smith's innings wasn't perfect, it showed his grit and talent. Throughout the tough parts of the match, he stood strong, particularly when against Jasprit Bumrah's deadly tactics. Smith kept a cool head, playing smartly to build a solid innings during tense moments.
