New Delhi: Shubman Gill failed to capitalise on another good start after suffering a brain fade moment on the last ball before Lunch in the fifth and final Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Gill looked well set at the crease after weathering the storm against the new ball on a green track in overcast conditions at the SCG but a lapse in concentration at the stroke of lunch cost India its third wicket.
After a verbal altercation with the close-in fielders, Gill lost his focus and decided to charge Nathan Lyon down the track on the last ball before Lunch and nicked a straighter one straight to Steve Smith at first slip.
It was a massive blow for the visitors, who negated a tough phase with a 40-run partnership between Gill and Virat Kohli (12*), after losing the openers early. Gill’s wicket swung the momentum in Australia’s favour as India went into Lunch at 57/3 (25 overs).
Gill yet again fails to convert a start into a big one
Gill, who took 64 balls to score 20, has had three good starts – 31 (51), 28 (30), and 20 (64) in the four innings in the series but has yet to convert them into big scores. It was a golden opportunity for the youngster to start 2025 on a good note and help India build a good first-innings total in the must-win Test.
After the fall of Gill’s wicket, Pant will come to the crease to join Kohli, who survived a close call on the very first ball he faced. Kohli’s controversial moment spiced up an eventful morning, which saw Jasprit Bumrah, replace Rohit Sharma who had “opted to rest”, as the skipper in the series finale.
Earlier, Bumrah won the toss and opted to bat first under grey skies as India made two changes to their playing X1. While Rohit was replaced by Gill, Akash Deep, out injured, made way for Prasidh Krishna.
Meanwhile, Australia handed all-rounder Beau Webster a debut and axed Mitchell Marsh from the playing X1.
Australia vs India 5th Test: Shubman Gill lost his focus and decided to charge Nathan Lyon down the track on the last ball before Lunch. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
