An unexpected disturbance occurred when a pitch invader ran onto the field and attempted to embrace Indian batting star Virat Kohli on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Play soon resumed when security officers swiftly stepped in and escorted the invader off the field. The player also almost ran into Indian captain Rohit Sharma.
Fan invades field in MCG
The invader briefly eluded security before focusing on Kohli after first running towards Rohit Sharma, who was stationed in the slip cordon. When the intruder tried to embrace Kohli, the stadium's yellow-clad security guards swiftly stopped him and removed him from the field. The interruption briefly stopped play, but it quickly restarted without any more problems.
There was a tense atmosphere at the MCG, and Kohli became the centre of attention for the audience's response. Following his violent shoulder barge on Australia's 19-year-old Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the fourth Test, the 36-year-old was frequently jeered by the home crowd. Because of Kohli's aggressive response to the taunts, the encounter caused controversy and highlighted the intensity of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Steve Smith, Pat Cummins take score past 450
At the end of play on Day 1 of the fourth Test on Thursday, Australia was at 311 for six after India rallied with four late wickets. Sam Konstas, a teenage debutant, enthralled the Melbourne Cricket Ground with an exciting knock during the morning session earlier in the day. Tailender Pat Cummins was on eight, while Steve Smith was still undefeated at 68.
However, Steve Smith and Pat Cummins spoiled India's plan to make a comeback in the innings as both of them joined a stunning partnership. Smith reached his century, his second consecutive in the series and Cummins played a captain's knock of 49 runs before getting out. Both of them ensure that their team get past 400. However, even after Cummins' departure, Smith did not allow the run flow to come down and before lunch on Day 2 Aussies were standing at 454/7.