Overnight batters Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne were unable to build on their partnership in the morning session, with McSweeney dismissed by a brilliant delivery from Jasprit Bumrah.
Steve Smith followed soon after, and Travis Head steadied the ship with a 65-run stand alongside Labuschagne, helping Australia establish a solid score. However, Mitchell Marsh then handed his wicket to India, and Ravichandran Ashwin showed his class with a key moment.
On the fourth ball of the 64th over, Ashwin bowled a slider outside the stumps that Marsh attempted to play off the front foot. The ball whisked past the outside edge, and the umpire raised his finger following Rishabh Pant’s half-hearted appeal.
Marsh, opting not to review, made his way off the field. But to everyone’s surprise, the replays revealed a flat line as the ball passed the bat’s outside edge, leading to a dramatic turn of events.
…and the finger goes up! ☝ #MitchellMarsh walks as @ashwinravi99 strikes. It's game 🔛#AUSvINDOnStar 2nd Test, Day 2 👉 LIVE NOW! #AUSvIND | #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/n6wpWmibU8
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 7, 2024
The focus then shifted to Ashwin, who was seen reprimanding Pant for not making a stronger appeal to force the umpire into a mistake. Known for his quirky tactics throughout his career, Ashwin once again became the center of attention, sparking a frenzy on Twitter.