MELBOURNE: The Indian cricket team has decided to wear black armbands on the second day of the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the MCG to pay respect to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh who passed away on Thursday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared this tribute during their morning session on Friday.
Dr. Singh, India’s 13th Prime Minister (2004-2014), breathed his last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, following a sudden loss of consciousness at his residence. AIIMS issued a bulletin confirming his passing at 9:51 PM despite resuscitative efforts. Singh’s last rites, to be performed with full state honors, are scheduled for Saturday.
Australia finished the first day on the field with a solid 311/6 after 86 overs. Usman Khawaja (57), Marnus Labuschagne (72), and Steve Smith (68*) all made significant runs as their top order was in excellent form. Sam Konstas, playing his debut, made an impression with a quickfire 60 from 65 balls.
The best Indian bowler was Jasprit Bumrah, who took three wickets for 75 runs, with some of the significant breakthroughs in the last session to stall Australia's progress.
With Australia's impressive score at the end of the first day, India's comeback with the ball kept them in the game. The match is still on, and Australia is in a very strong position, but India will be looking to continue with this momentum and exert pressure.
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