On day two of the Boxing Day Test, the Indian team donned black armbands in respect of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
"The Indian Cricket Team is paying their respects to former Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh who passed away today by wearing black armbands," the BCCI wrote on its X account on Friday morning.
Singh, who served as India's 13th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, died in New Delhi last night after he was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) following a sudden lost of consciousness. His cremation will be done with full state honours on Friday.
According to an AIIMS bulletin, Singh was undergoing treatment for age related medical conditions. He had a sudden loss of consciousness at home. "Resuscitative measures were initiated immediately at home. He was brought to the medical emergency at AIIMS Delhi at 8.06 pm.
He could not be revived despite all the efforts and was declared dead at 9.51 pm," said the bulletin. Prior to his induction as Prime Minister of India, he had several stints – Chief Economic Advisor, Governor of Reserve Bank, and head of the Planning Commission before eventually becoming the Finance Minister of India in 1991 and taking a lead towards structural reforms, which ultimately liberalised India's economy.
About the match on Thursday, India fought its way back into the contest by drawing four wickets in the last session of the opening day by leaving Australia at 311/6 in 86 overs.
Australia’s top four batters smashed fifties of varying kind, with debutant opener Sam Konstas’ 60 off 65 balls being the standout knock. For the visitors’, fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah shined yet again with figures of 3-75. Usman Khawaja (57), Marnus Labuschagne (72) and Steve Smith (68 not out) ensured Australia ended day one in a strong position, especially in front of 87,242 fans.
The first time the top four batsmen of Australia scored half-centuries at the same venue was when the hosts achieved this feat for the first time since the Rawalpindi Test in the 2022 Pakistan tour.
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