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Despite Jasprit Bumrah’s absence due to back spasms, India managed to seize a slender four-run first-innings lead, turning the Sydney Test into a second-innings shootout. The game was finely poised, with Australia losing half their side before the lunch break on the second day, leaving the match—and the series—hanging on a razor’s edge. During the […]
Despite Jasprit Bumrah’s absence due to back spasms, India managed to seize a slender four-run first-innings lead, turning the Sydney Test into a second-innings shootout. The game was finely poised, with Australia losing half their side before the lunch break on the second day, leaving the match—and the series—hanging on a razor’s edge.
During the break, Rohit Sharma addressed speculation about his absence, clarifying that he had chosen to sit out of the Sydney Test and dismissing rumors of his retirement from Test cricket. This statement helped clear the air amid mounting questions about India’s leadership and his future in the format.
Soon after lunch, Bumrah, who had taken over as captain in Rohit’s absence, left the SCG for scans, raising concerns about his availability. However, India’s determined efforts without their star pacer reflected their resilience, keeping their hopes alive in a fiercely contested Test that remained balanced on a knife-edge.
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Rishabh Pant pulled India ahead with a breathtaking 29-ball half-century, the second-fastest by an Indian in Test cricket, trailing only his 28-ball effort against Sri Lanka in 2022. After Scott Boland dismantled India’s top order with impeccable precision, Pant counterattacked, thrilling a lively Sydney crowd of 47,257. However, late dismissals of Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy kept the contest evenly poised, with India holding a 145-run lead at stumps. The second-innings shootout, though, could tip in Australia’s favor if Jasprit Bumrah is unable to bowl further in the match.
India’s support bowlers stepped up admirably on the second day, with Prasidh Krishna and Nitish Kumar Reddy claiming five wickets between them. Collectively, India’s non-Bumrah seamers delivered their best performance of the tour, securing combined figures of 8 for 132. Prasidh marked his Test comeback with crucial wickets, including Steven Smith, Alex Carey, and debutant Beau Webster, who top-scored for Australia with 57 off 105 balls. Reddy contributed by dismissing Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in quick succession, rattling Australia’s lower order.
The day had begun with Bumrah striking early, removing Marnus Labuschagne for 2 and surpassing Bishan Singh Bedi’s record for the most wickets by an Indian bowler on an Australian tour. However, 19-year-old Sam Konstas responded with audacity, slashing Bumrah for boundaries and showcasing innovative strokes like a reverse-ramp. Mohammed Siraj then turned the tide, dismissing Konstas and Travis Head in the same over with masterful use of swing. Siraj’s fuller lengths paid dividends, as did Prasidh’s adjustment just before lunch, when he dismissed Smith five runs short of the coveted 10,000-Test-run milestone.
In the afternoon, India’s attack kept the pressure on, bowling Australia out for 181 after their last four wickets fell for just 19 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal ignited India’s second innings with a fiery start, slashing Mitchell Starc for four boundaries in the opening over. KL Rahul also displayed attacking intent, but Boland struck again to curb India’s momentum. With the match hanging in the balance, both teams geared up for a gripping finale.
Scott Boland struck early in India’s second innings, dismissing KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal in quick succession. Rahul chopped an inducker onto his stumps, while Jaiswal fell to a beauty that angled in from around the wicket before seaming away to clip the top of off stump. Boland continued his dominance by removing Virat Kohli for 6 in a familiar manner, inducing an edge behind to the slip cordon for the eighth time in the series. Frustrated by his dismissal, Kohli vented his anger, yelling at himself and slapping his thigh. Debutant Beau Webster joined the action, claiming his maiden Test wicket by having Shubman Gill caught behind off the inside edge.
Rishabh Pant, however, stole the show with an explosive counterattack. After adopting a more measured approach on the first day, Pant unleashed his natural flair on the second. He charged down to his first ball from Boland, who had just removed Kohli, and launched him for a six over mid-on. Pant’s audacity continued as he lined up Webster for three consecutive fours, including a falling sweep-pull. He reached his half-century in style, smashing a helicoptered six off Mitchell Starc and celebrating with another six on the very next ball. His aggressive knock forced Australia to adopt T20-style lines and lengths, but Pant’s relentless aggression ensured India maintained the upper hand.
Pant’s innings ended when he chased a wide delivery from Pat Cummins, edging to the keeper. Boland then dismissed Nitish Kumar Reddy for 4, capping a thrilling 15-wicket day at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Despite the flurry of wickets, Pant’s heroics kept India in a strong position, setting the stage for an enthralling finish to the Test.
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