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The fifth Test underway at the Sydney Cricket Ground has seen a fascinating battle of resilience and aggression as India battles Australia on a challenging surface. For stumps on day 2, India found themselves at 141/6 in their second innings, maintaining a slight but significant lead of 145 runs.
India’s resilience faces fierce Australia bowling attack
After a strong reaction from the Indian bowlers restricted Australia to 181 in their first innings, Scott Boland emerged as the thorn in India’s side. His incisive bowling returned figures of 4/42 in the second innings, reducing India to a precarious position. However, the energetic counterattack led by RISHABH PANTSwho blasted his way to a thrilling 61 off just 33 balls, breathed life into the contest.
His audacious strokeplay, including six boundaries and four towering sixes, was a much-needed counterattack against Boland and Pat Cumminsthat had tightened the nuts from the beginning. As the match progresses towards Day 3, all eyes are on the lower order, with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar in charge of extending the advantage on a track that offers a lot to the players.
Australia’s first innings collapse amid India’s clinical bowling display
Resuming at 9/1 overnight, Australia faced relentless pressure from the Indian bowling attack on Day 2. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna He exploited the surface expertly, maintaining ruthless precision and extracting movement. The first advances saw Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja come out cheap, with Bumrah dismissing both batsmen through a neat seam position. Steve Smith held the innings together with 33 made out, but their resistance ended when Krishna induced a lead to KL Rahul.
The focus of attention was then focused on Beau Websterwhose brave 57 provided Australia with some semblance of stability. Webster’s patient knock, laced with five boundaries, showed his temperament but the Indian bowlers always looked one step ahead. Siraj’s ferocious pace and Krishna’s consistency broke alliances at crucial moments, while the debutant Nitish Kumar Reddythe dismissal of Cummins and Mitchell Starc underlined India’s depth. Siraj’s dismissal of Boland concluded Australia’s innings at 181, leaving them behind by four runs, ensuring the game remained delicately balanced.
Also WATCH: Jasprit Bumrah leaves SCG ground amid injury fears on Day 2 of 5th Test – AUS vs IND
Rishabh Pant’s counter-attacking brilliance and Scott Boland’s lethal spell
India’s second innings started with high expectations but soon turned into chaos as Boland wreaked havoc with his precision and control. The visitors lost Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli inside 13 overs, leaving them reeling at 59/3. Shubman Gill and Pant briefly steadied the ship before Gill was killed in Beau Webster’s sharp turn. Pant, however, turned the tide with a brilliant counter-attack that left the Australian players searching for answers.
Showcasing his full repertoire of strokes, Pant targeted both spinners and pacers, racing to a half-century in just 29 balls. His partnership with Jadeja added a crucial 46 runs before Cummins struck to remove the dynamic left-hander. Boland again dismissed Nitish Kumar Reddy soon after, strengthening Australia’s control. Despite Pant’s heroics, India’s innings remained fragile, with Jadeja and Sundar carrying them through a difficult final session. Their stoic defense ensured that India reached the stages without further damage, keeping alive the possibility of a competitive total on Day 3.
This is how Twitter reacted:
Is Scott Boland the best fast bowler in the world not featured in a Test country’s first-choice XI?
– Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz) January 4, 2025
Highest quality stitching bowling from Scott Boland.
—Prasanna (@prasannalara) January 4, 2025
Scott Boland is a good bowler. But it is by no means an average of 20 years at any other time.
That’s why bowlers should be scrutinized more closely in this era of bowling and batsmen should be given leeway.
This is case by case, of course. Batting continues to dominate in Pakistan, England has seen a resurgence, New Zealand left
—Chatil Panditasekara (@ChatilPandi) January 4, 2025
If you see Scott Boland in public, it’s your civic duty to buy him a beer.
– Jacqui Reed (@JacquiReed_) January 4, 2025
He looks scarier than Scott Boland… 😳
-Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 4, 2025
Forget brackets and ends, Scott Boland could have a “length” named after him #AusvInd
—Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 4, 2025
This is the reason why Rishabh Pant is the most feared Indian batsman in Australia. That was spectacular and in this field, full of treachery, it was necessary.
—Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 4, 2025
This is the Rishabh pant that I know and have liked over the years. Putting pressure back on the opposition bowlers by taking calculated risks.
—Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) January 4, 2025
Sam Konstas, watch and learn from master Rishabh Pant.
– Fool 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 will continue doing what he or she believes works.
🤦🏾♂️😁
– KSR (@KShriniwasRao) January 4, 2025
It’s crazy that Scott Boland has revealed his plans to get Kohli out.
And he still pulled it out!
Using the exact plan.It shows how good he is and also how out of place Kohli is…
– Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) January 4, 2025
Day 2, stumps
India: 141/6, lead by 145 runs 🏏
Rishabh Pant: 61#Cricket #AUSWIND #RishabhPant #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/A2JgcDxOCr
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 4, 2025
