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India endured a tough start to the fifth test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, doubling for a modest 185 in their first innings on Day 1. Opting to bat first on a surface that offered early assistance to bowlers, the Indian batting line-up faltered against a clinical Australian-led attack by Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc.
While RISHABH PANTS and Ravindra Jadeja showed a brief comeback, frequent sending offs left the visitors struggling to gain momentum. By the stumps, Australia had reached 9/1 in three overs, losing by 176 runswith jasprit bumrah giving a key blow when dismissing Usman Khawaja early.
Top-level failure hurts India: Virat Kohli and KL Rahul’s failure
India’s decision to bat looked questionable at first as their top order collapsed under the relentless pressure of the Australian pacers. KL Rahul fell in the fifth against Starc by only 4, while Yashasvi Jaiswal followed soon after, bowling Boland for 8. With India at 17/2 in eight overs, the onus fell on Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli to stabilize inputs. Gill struggled to find fluidity, making 20 runs off 64 balls before falling into Natan Lyon. Kohli, known for his patience, also failed to convert his cautious start, departing for 17 after being caught brilliantly by Beau Webster in the Boland ravine. By lunch, India were 57/3, reeling under the impact of Australia’s disciplined and inquisitive bowling.
Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja offer brief resistance
In the second session, Pant and Jadeja tried to revive India’s innings with a 48-run fightback. Pant played with his trademark aggression, counter-attacking the bowlers with 40 runs off 98 deliveries, including six over midwicket and three crisp boundaries. Jadeja, adopting a more cautious approach, contributed a resilient 26 off 95 balls, defying the Australian attack for much of the session.
However, Pant’s dismissal of Boland after tea led to a collapse, leaving India vulnerable once again. Jadeja fell soon after, caught by Starc, and the lower order offered little resistance. Despite the small contributions of Washington Sundar (14) and jasprit bumrah (22), India were bowled out for 185 in 72.2 overs, a total that fell far short of expectations.
Australian pacers led by Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc dominate
Australia’s bowlers were exceptional, led by Boland’s brilliant spell of 4/31 in 20 overs. Boland used his precision and subtle movement to trouble the Indian batsmen constantly, dismissing key players like Kohli and Pant at crucial moments. Starc was equally effective, claiming 3/49 with his pace and swing, dismantling the lower order with precise yorkers and short deliveries. Pat Cummins added two crucial scalps, while Lyon chipped in with Gill’s vital wicket. The Australian attack maintained relentless pressure throughout the innings, taking advantage of India’s inability to create partnerships and keeping the run rate in check.
Also WATCH: Rishabh Pant suffers multiple body blows after being attacked by Australian bowlers on Day 1 of SCG Test
Australia start steadily despite early loss of Usman Khawaja
Australia’s openers faced a tricky spell of three overs before stumps, scoring 9 runs but losing the wicket of Khawaja for 2. Bumrah, leading India’s attack, played a strong delivery which Khawaja gloved at second slip, giving him India a much-needed advance. Konstas himselfwho made his Test debut, looked composed and remained unbeaten in 7, showing early promise with his solid technique. With Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith While waiting in the wings, Australia will look to build a substantial first-innings lead on Day 2.
This is how Twitter reacted:
Scott Boland has no social media, no tattoos so he can donate blood more easily, no fancy cars, he lived in student accommodation while earning 120k a week, donates 1/4 of his salary to charity and bought him a Mini Cooper second hand to an old woman. And he just saved a dog’s life.
What a man.👏🏻
#AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/ZeIla0SKcn
– Lucas (@Marruso89) January 3, 2025
Scott Boland is even more dangerous than whoever he replaced under these conditions!
—Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 3, 2025
It’s an absolute shame that Scott Boland wasn’t able to make his Test cricket debut until he was 33.
– Ian Raphael Obispo (@irbishi) January 3, 2025
Scott. Boland. 👏#AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/3NJQ3tq0eQ
— Sydney Cricket Ground (@scg) January 3, 2025
If you had told me 5 years ago that Scott Boland would take 50 Test wickets at 18, I would have kindly contacted your family for a welfare check.
One of the Test cricket stories of all time.
– Nat Martin (@NatMartin30) January 3, 2025
Scott Boland is a relentless bowler. It has been the difference in this BGT, unlike the last two times. 😒
First Rishabh and now Nitish. I have no words. 💔
– Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) January 3, 2025
This series has been a great redemption arc for Mitchell Starc.
He bowled over 30 against India before this series and has consistently produced wickets at every important moment despite not being in top form.
The determination to win is there.pic.twitter.com/RKC3OIvlWT—Abdullah (@abdullahhammad4) January 3, 2025
Day full of action. This release is doing too much.
—Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 3, 2025
That’s the Tweet 💥 #AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/7PUnZYzsRG
– S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) January 3, 2025
Day 1, stumps
Australia: 9/1, tour of 176 races 🏏#Cricket #AUSWIND #Jaspritbumrah𓃵 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/eL79r6L59j
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 3, 2025
