Lyon ridicules Rohit Sharma's choice to open with a sharp jibe at KL Rahul: 'What did you do wrong to bat lower down the order?'
The fourth Test between india and australia at the historic melbourne cricket Ground has been filled with intense moments both on and off the pitch.
On Day 2, a new skirmish emerged between India's KL rahul and Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
rahul, who was moved to No. 3 in the batting lineup after rohit sharma resumed his role as opener alongside yashasvi jaiswal, became the target of a taunt from the 37-year-old Australian.
As rahul stepped to the crease and took his stance, Lyon was heard mocking rahul about his drop to No. 3, stating, "What did you do wrong to bat one down?"
Not fazed by the comment, rahul kept his focus on the game.
This incident follows a charged atmosphere in the Boxing Day Test, heightened by a confrontation between virat kohli and debutant sam Konstas on Day 1; as kohli walked past Konstas, their shoulders collided, sparking a heated exchange.
kohli has since data-faced jeers from the Australian crowd at the MCG, and the cricketer's reaction was defiant, as he urged the crowd to boo even louder.
Meanwhile, India's batting woes persisted, with captain rohit sharma continuing his series slump.
On the first ball of the sixth over, Pat Cummins bowled a short ball outside off stump, which Rohit tried to pull but mis-timed, sending the ball high into the air.
Scott Boland easily caught the ball at mid-wicket, contributing to Rohit's ongoing struggles.
rahul appeared to be in great form, but he was dismissed just before tea, following a superb delivery from Cummins.
The Australian captain sent the ball away from right-handed rahul, defeating the edge and uprooting his stumps.
The indian batter couldn't help but appreciate the brilliant delivery from Cummins, as india data-faces a formidable challenge after australia amassed a massive 474 in their first innings.
Rohit's dismissal marked his seventh in Test cricket at the hands of Cummins; as the match heads into the final session of Day 2, india will be looking for a strong partnership between virat kohli and yashasvi jaiswal to regain control.