The ongoing fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground will see an exciting battle of guts and ferocity as. India war Australia on difficult terrain. With the stumps on Day 2, India found themselves at 141/6 in their second innings, they have a small but important lead of 145 runs.
India's bravery is met by a ferocious Australian bowling attack
India's batsmen were bowled out after a hard-fought defeat that limited Australia to 181 in their first innings. Scott Boland it came out like a thorn in India. His brilliant bowling returned figures of 4/42 in the second innings, relegating India to a precarious position. However, the war against the spirit led by Rishabh Pantwho scored 61 off just 33 balls, breathed life into the tournament.
His bold stroke play, including six boundaries and long sixes, came as a crucial blow against Boland and Pat Cumminswho quickly tightened the bonds. As the match enters Day 3, all eyes are on the world order, and Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar a work to increase the lead on the course that gives more to the bowlers.
Australia's first innings collapsed amidst a clinical display by India
Resuming at the overnight rate of 9/1, Australia faced constant pressure from the Indian bowling attack on Day 2. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna he used the surface in a professional manner, maintaining constant precision and movement. Basic features Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja takes off at low cost, with Bumrah chasing all the batters through the glaring areas. Steve Smith He held the innings together with 33, but his resistance ended when Krishna introduced a boundary. KL Rahul.
The spotlight moved to It's Websterwhose power of 57 gave Australia a stable shape. Webster's ill-fated knock, with five boundaries, showed his anger, but the Indian bowlers always looked like they were making progress. Siraj's strong runs and Krishna's inconsistency disrupted the partnership at key points, as they resumed. Nitish Kumar Reddy'the removal of Cummins and Mitchell Starc emphasized the depth of India. Boland and Siraj's dismissal ended Australia's innings on 181, leaving them trailing by four runs, ensuring the game was in the balance.
Also WATCH: Jasprit Bumrah leaves SCG amid injury scare for Day 2 of 5th Test – AUS vs IND
Rishabh Pant's batting skills and Scott Boland's execution
India's second innings started with high hopes but soon descended into chaos as Boland destroyed his accuracy and control. The visitors lost Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli within 13 overs, leaving them reeling at 59/3. Shubman Gill and Pant stopped the train briefly before Gill was lost to Beau Webster. Pant, however, turned the tide with a blistering attack that left the Australian bowlers scrambling for answers.
Showcasing his full range of strokes, Pant targeted both off-spinners and off-spinners, smashing his way to a half-century in just 29 balls. His partnership with Jadeja added 46 crucial runs before Cummins struck to remove the powerful left-hander. Boland came back to remove Nitish Kumar Reddy shortly after, strengthening Australia's power. Despite Pant's heroics, India's innings remained fragile, with Jadeja and Sundar tasked with driving the final innings. Their strong defense saw India reach the stumps without any further damage, keeping them in contention on Day 3.
Here's how Twitter did it:
Is Scott Boland the fastest bowler in the world to miss out on the first XI selection for the Test team?
— Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz) January 4, 2025
Excellent bowling by Scott Boland.
– Prasanna (@prasannalara) January 4, 2025
Scott Boland is a good football player. But there is no way they start their 20s in any other time
This is why bowlers should be given more attention in this bowling season and batsmen should be given a chance.
This is quite the case. Batting still reigns in Pakistan, England resumes, NZ remain
— Chatil Panditasekara (@ChatilPandi) January 4, 2025
If you see scott boland in public it is your responsibility to buy the man a beer
— Jacqui Reed (@JacquiReed_) January 4, 2025
Looks scarier than Scott Boland…😳
– Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 4, 2025
Forget about stops & ends, Scott Boland can have “length” listed after him #AusvInd
– Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 4, 2025
This is why Rishabh Pant is the most popular Indian batsman in Australia. This was impressive and at this level, full of deception, it was necessary.
– Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 4, 2025
This is the Rishabh Pant that I have known and loved for years. Retaliation forces the defendants to take risks based on the calculated risks.
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) January 4, 2025
Sam Konstas, watch and learn from master Rishabh Pant.
– Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 4, 2025
Sunil Gavaskar reminds me of Master Shifu and Rishabh Pant from Kung fu Panda.
No matter what the “guru” says, the student continues to do what he thinks works.
🤦🏾♂️😁
– KSR (@KShriniwasRao) January 4, 2025
Crazy that Scott Boland revealed his plans to release Kohli.
And they still let him out!
Using a specific procedure.He shows how good he is and how good Kohli is…
– Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) January 4, 2025
Day 2, Stumps
India: 141/6, lead by 145 runs 🏏
Rishabh Pant: 61#Cricket #AUSWIN #RishabhPant #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/A2JgcDxOCr
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 4, 2025