India and Australia are in action for the ongoing IND vs AUS Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). On Day 2 (December 27, Friday) of the fourth Test in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), the Indian players took the field wearing black armbands on their shirt sleeves to honour the former India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away aged 92 on Thursday night.
Manmohan Singh, known for his two-term leadership from 2004 to 2014 and role in liberalizing the economy as finance minister, was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) late Thursday in New Delhi after a sudden loss of consciousness at home. The hospital stated he was being treated for ‘age-related medical conditions’, but despite all efforts breathed his last at 9:51 PM.
“With profound grief, we inform the demise of former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, aged 92. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had a sudden loss of consciousness at home on 26 December. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the medical emergency at AIIMS, New Delhi, at 8:06 PM. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 PM.”
Debutant Sam Konstas Spearheads Australia’s Domination In Boxing Day Test
In the IND vs AUS Boxing Day Test, Australia chose to bat first after winning the toss. The spotlight was on 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas, who dazzled the MCG crowd by taking on India’s ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah, smashing him for 16 runs in one over and 18 runs in another later in the match. Konstas played a pivotal role with a 65-ball knock of 60 runs, partnering with Usman Khawaja to deliver Australia’s first 50-plus opening stand of the series. Rest of Australia’s top-order also shone with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith both scoring fifties on Day 1. By the end of play, Australia had asserted their dominance, finishing at 311-6.
