Explained: How many runs India needs to Avoid follow-on in Boxing-Day Test against Australia

Indian team had a rough Day 2 of the 4th Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 27. Indian team is on the lower side of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as they have found themselves in the follow-on situation yet again. This is because Australia posted a massive first-inning total at the MCG.

India was at 164/5 by the end of day 2, trailing Australia by 310 runs. In order to avoid a follow-on, Indian team must be cautious and post such a score that would make Australia bat their second innings.

The boat lies on the shoulders of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, who were standing strong on the ground by the end of Day 2. Their game in the morning session of 3rd day is going to be an important factor in determining whether India can avoid the follow-on or not.

According to article 14.1.1 of the MCG’s law of cricket, if a team establish a lead of at least 200 runs, the team which is batting first has the option to enforce the follow-on in a two-innings match of five days or more. In this case, since Australia has scored 474 in their first innings, they will have the option to enforce follow-on if India posts a total of 274 or less in their first innings.

On the other hand, if India posts 275 or more run in their first innings, Australia will lost the right to enforce the follow-on and will be needed to bat first in their second innings. This decision to enforce a follow-on rests on the captain of the team that was batting first.

The minimum lead needed to post a follow-on may change depending on the number of days remaining in a Test. If the first day of the play is lost, the needed lead is adjusted accordingly. Let’s say, in a four-day match, the team batting first must have a lead of 150 runs to enforce a follow-on.

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