Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli shocked as ‘lucky’ Marnus Labuschagne escaped dismissal at MCG

Veteran Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were left shocked when Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne narrowly escaped a dismissal in the second innings. Marnus Labuschagne’s luck saved him despite his near exit during the fourth day of the match, which left the Indian players in a daze.

India were bowled out for 369 runs in the first session on Saturday 29 December. The visiting team added 11 runs to last night’s total, giving Australia a 105-run lead into the first innings. Centurion Nitish Kumar Reddy was dismissed for 114 by Nathan Lyon, while Mohammed Siraj remained unbeaten on 4.

Jasprit Bumrah dismantles Australia’s middle order in the second session

In the morning session, openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja were dismissed cheaply. Bumrah dismissed Konstas for 8, and Siraj celebrated by silencing his critics after dismissing Al Khawaja. Labuschagne and Steve Smith formed a 37-run partnership for the third wicket before Siraj took Smith’s wicket.

Smith had to return to the locker room after scoring 13 points. Bumrah then dismantled Australia’s middle order by removing Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey in just 11 deliveries. Head was dismissed for 1, Marsh was dismissed for a duck, and Carey was bowled out for 2, leaving Australia struggling at 91/6.

Watch: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli shocked as Lucky Marnus Labuschagne escapes dismissal

The incident occurred on the second ball of the 46th over in Australia’s second innings. Marnus Labuschagne defended Akash Deep’s delivery near his feet, but the ball bounced back and bounced over the stumps, narrowly missing. Virat Kohli fell to the ground holding his head in disbelief, and Rohit was shocked.

Take a look at the incident here:

How on earth did this miss a log 😱 #Australia pic.twitter.com/xNzxru6akb

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2024

Earlier, Marnus had a lucky escape when Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped the regulation catch in the gully. Labuschagne played a bizarre shot off a long pass from Akash Deep and headed it straight into the gully. It was a clear chance, and it came at a good height, but Jaiswal failed to hold on.

It will be one of the miracles on canvas – Kerry O’Keefe

Former Australian pacer Kerry O’Keefe said India could be on the brink of something special, and drew comparisons to their impressive 2020/21 series win. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tied at 1-1, O’Keeffe believes the series is on a similar trajectory.

“There’s something cooking here. That’s how it happened in 2020. “They drew a game in Sydney and knocked Australia out on the final day of the series to win it, and I think they’re cooking the same things here,” O’Keefe told Fox Cricket’s Test Daily.

“If they can escape with a draw – and can even win – it will be one of the miracles cricket has ever seen.”

“The boxing analogy holds true, it was a great match,” O’Keefe said. “It was enthralling, it was traditional Test cricket, nothing we saw from Sam Constas on day one. It was an eye-catcher… this is great theatre.”

Read also: Watch: Jasprit Bumrah beats Alex Carey with a peach on Day 4 of the Boxing Day Test