The ongoing fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground witnessed a remarkable battle of resilience and aggression India Battles Australia On a challenging surface. By logs on the second day, India found themselves on 141/6 In the second round, they held a small but significant lead of 145 points.
India's resilience faces Australia's ferocious bowling attack
After a strong fight from the Indian bowlers, Australia were restricted to 181 in the first innings, Scott Boland It has emerged as a thorn in India's side. Sharp bowling returned figures of 4/42 in the second over, turning India into a precarious position. However, the spirited counterattack he led Rishabh Pantwho powered his way to a sensational 61 off just 33 balls, breathed life into the contest.
His fearless batting play, including six boundaries and four towering sixes, came as a much-needed counter-punch against Boland and Pat cuminwho tightened the screws early. As the match approaches day three, all eyes are on the lower order Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar He was tasked with extending the lead on the track which offers so much to the bowlers.
Australia's first innings collapsed amid India's clinical bowling display
Resuming at 1/9 overnight, Australia faced relentless pressure from the Indian bowling attack on the second day. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna Expertly exploit the surface, maintaining relentless precision and motion extraction. Experienced early breakthroughs Marnus Labuschagne and Othman Al Khawaja He departed cheaply, with Bumrah dismissing both batsmen with his flawless seam placing. Steve Smith He retained roles with 33 compositions, but his resistance ended when Krishna created a feature Kuala Lumpur Rahul.
Then the lights turned on Beau Websterwhose courage provided 57 Australia with some semblance of stability. Webster's patient batting, filled with five boundaries, showed his temperament, yet India's bowlers always looked a step ahead. Siraj's fiery pace and Krishna's consistency led to him breaking partnerships at crucial junctures when he was on debut Nitish Kumar ReddyCummins' dismissal Mitchell Stark He stressed the depth of India. Siraj's dismissal of Boland ended Australia's innings at 181, leaving them four runs behind, ensuring the match remained finely balanced.
also Watch: Jasprit Bumrah leaves SCG ground amid injury concerns on day 2 of 5th Test – AUS vs IND
Rishabh Pant excelled on the counter-attack and Scott Boland's deadly spell
India's second innings began with high expectations but soon descended into chaos as Boland created chaos with his accuracy and control. The visitors have lost Rahul, Yashavi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli Within 13 overs, leaving them reeling at 59/3. Shubman Gill And Pant briefly steadied the ship before Gale died due to Beau Webster's sharp turn. But Pant turned the tide with a scintillating counter-attack that left the Australian bowlers searching for answers.
Showcasing his full repertoire of strokes, Pant targeted both spinners and pace bowlers, racing to a half-century in just 29 balls. His partnership with Jadeja added 46 crucial runs before Cummins struck to remove the dynamic left-hander. Boland returned to dismiss Nitish Kumar Reddy soon after, tightening Australia's grip. Despite Pant's heroics, India's innings remained fragile, with Jadeja and Sundar tasked with navigating a tough final session. Their stout defense ensured India reached stumps without further damage, keeping the possibility of a competitive total on day three alive.
Here's how Twitter reacted:
Is Scott Boland the best fast bowler in the world not featuring in the first-choice XI for a Test country?
– Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz) January 4, 2025
Bowling of the highest quality from Scott Boland.
β Prasanna (@prasanalara) January 4, 2025
Scott Bolland is a good footballer. But there's no way he would have averaged the early 20s in any other era
That's why bowlers should be scrutinized more in this era of bowling and batsmen should be given a leeway
This is case by case of course. Batting still rules in Pakistan, England has seen a revival, and New Zealand has remained
β Chatil Panditasekara (@ChatilPandi) January 4, 2025
If you see Scott Bolland in public it is your civic duty to buy the man a beer
– Jackie Reed (@JacquiReed_) January 4, 2025
Scott Boland will increase Dar Lagta Hai… π³
β Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 4, 2025
Forget about stands and ends, Scott Bolland might have 'height' to his name #AusvInd
– Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 4, 2025
This is why Rishabh Pant is the most feared Indian batsman in Australia. It was amazing, and on this playing field full of betrayal, it was necessary.
β Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 4, 2025
This is the Rishabh Pant I have known and admired over the years. Putting pressure back on opponent players by taking calculated risks.
– Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) January 4, 2025
Sam Konstas, watch and learn from Professor Rishabh Pant.
β Silly point (@FarziCricketer) January 4, 2025
Sunil Gavaskar reminds me of Mr. Shifu and Rishabh Pant from Kung Fu Panda.
No matter what the βteacherβ says, the student will continue to do what he or she believes is successful.
π€¦πΎββοΈπ
β KSR (@KShriniwasRao) January 4, 2025
It's crazy that Scott Bolland revealed his plans to get Kohli out.
And he still got it out!
Using the exact plan.Shows how good he is and also how Kohli got out of it…
– Saurabh Pant (@hankypanty) January 4, 2025
Day 2, logs
India: 141/6, leading by 145 runs π
Rishabh Pant: 61#cricket #AUSvIND #Rishapant #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/A2JgcDxOCr
β CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 4, 2025