New Delhi: Rishabh Pant slammed a brilliant knock of 61 runs off 33 balls to help India finish with 141/6 at stumps in their second innings on Day 2, extending their lead by 145 runs in the 5th Test against Australia in Sydney on Saturday. Pant notched up the second-fastest fifty by an Indian having completed his half-century off just 29 balls.
Earlier, India bundled out Australia for 181 runs in their first innings despite skipper Jasprit Bumrah leaving the field after an injury scare after bowling just one over in the second session. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna combined to run riot as the duo picked up a three-wicket haul apiece. Nitish Reddy also contributed with the ball as he picked up a couple of wickets in Bumrah’s absence.
Bumrah set the tone for India by dismissing Marnus Labuschagne cheaply on just 2 runs as Australia resumed their first innings from 9/1 on Day 2. Siraj then got rid of Sam Konstas and Travis Head in the same over to leave the hosts reeling on 35.3 before Steve Smith and half-centurion Beau Webster launched a rescue act.
Webster top-scored with 57 while Smith scored 33 before getting outsmarted by Prasidh. The Indian pacers dominated the proceedings after breaking the stand between Smith and Webster as they ran through Australia’s lower-middle order and tail to bundle them out for 181 runs, handing India a slender lead of 4 runs in their 2nd innings.
Major talking points from Day 2 of India-Australia 5th Test:
1) Siraj, Prasidh shine in Bumrah’s absence
Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna stepped up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah to help India skittle out Australia quickly in their second innings on Day 2. Bumrah left the field after bowling just one over in the second session but Prasidh’s impressive show helped the Indian bowling attack dominate the proceedings as Australia were bowled out for 181 runs.
Bumrah set the tone in the morning session for India by dismissing Labuschagne cheaply on 2 before the others capitalised. Siraj dismissed the likes of Sam Konstas, Travis Head and Scott Boland to finish with figures of 3/51 off his 16 overs while Prasidh dismissed Steve Smith, half-centurion Breau Webster and Alex Carey to complete his 3-fer. Nitish Reddy also chipped in with the wickets of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
2) Kohli flops again as Pant rescues India with stellar knock
Virat Kohli failed to deliver once again as India lost the plot shortly after a solid start from the openers. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul shared a 42-run stand for the 1st wicket to set the tone but India failed to capitalise as Kohli was dismissed cheaply on just 6 runs after poking an outside off delivery once again from Scott Boland.
Rishabh Pant came to India’s rescue with a swashbuckling knock under pressure as he continued to play his natural game. Pant notched up the second fastest Test fifty by an Indian en route to his sensational 61 off just 33 balls laced with 6 fours and 4 sixes. Pant’s 61 propelled India to 141/6 at stumps, helping them amass a lead of 145 runs heading into Day 3.
FIFTY IN JUST 29 BALLS – THE SECOND FASTEST BY AN INDIAN IN TESTS! 🙌@RishabhPant17 played a game-changing innings at the SCG! 🔥#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 5th Test, Day 2 | LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/yGaTGAlDxv
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 4, 2025
3) Bumrah’s injury a huge concern for India
Jasprit Bumrah was spotted leaving the field after suffering an injury scare during the drinks break in the 2nd session on Day 2. Bumrah bowled just one over before leaving the field. He was later spotted going to the hospital with the Indian support staff for precautionary scans, sparking concerns regarding his injury.
Though Bumrah arrived back before the end of day’s play, there is still no official update on his injury and the extent of it. Bumrah’s injury scare has increased India’s concerns ahead of Australia’s second innings as the visitors need their skipper fit and firing if they are to fancy their chances of winning the Sydney Test and retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 2-2 draw.
Rishabh Pant slammed a quickfire 33-ball 61 to help India extend their lead to 145 runs in their second innings on Day 2 of the 5th Test against Australia in Sydney. Jasprit Bumrah leaving the field and heading to hospital for scans was also among the major talking points of the day. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
