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India’s lead-up to the Sydney Test was marked by off-field drama and a surprising leadership change, with Rohit Sharma stepping down as captain and Jasprit Bumrah stepping in. Opting to bat first, India endured a turbulent day as Australia’s bowlers dominated, restricting them to 185 just before stumps. The decision to bat backfired, with India’s […]
India’s lead-up to the Sydney Test was marked by off-field drama and a surprising leadership change, with Rohit Sharma stepping down as captain and Jasprit Bumrah stepping in. Opting to bat first, India endured a turbulent day as Australia’s bowlers dominated, restricting them to 185 just before stumps. The decision to bat backfired, with India’s lineup struggling against Australia’s disciplined attack.
Bumrah added a dramatic touch to the day’s end by dismissing Usman Khawaja on the final ball, leaving Australia at 9 for 1 at stumps. The chaotic start, both on and off the field, set the tone for what promises to be an intense Test match.
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Scott Boland delivered a sensational performance for Australia, claiming 4 for 31 in a relentless 20-over spell. His impeccable accuracy and ability to extract sharp seam movement on a lively Sydney pitch proved too much for India’s batters. Boland consistently hit the ideal length, troubling the opposition with both the new and old ball, as variable bounce compounded India’s struggles.
While Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins initially faltered with their lengths, Boland found his rhythm immediately, striking in his first over. He dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal for 10, as the young opener edged a perfectly seamed delivery to debutant Beau Webster at third slip. Boland’s disciplined bowling set the tone for Australia’s dominance.
KL Rahul’s early departure set the tone for India’s woes, as he chipped a leg-stump half-volley from Mitchell Starc straight to Sam Konstas at square leg, falling for just 4 in the fifth over. Shubman Gill, stepping in for Rohit Sharma, looked promising with a fluent start but faltered at 20, advancing against Nathan Lyon only to edge a catch to slip on the last ball before lunch. Despite showing glimpses of his potential, Gill’s inability to convert starts into significant scores continued, marking the third time in four innings he was dismissed between 20 and 31.
Virat Kohli narrowly escaped a first-ball dismissal when a low catch by Steven Smith at second slip was ruled not out by the TV umpire, who concluded the ball had touched the ground before Smith relayed it to Marnus Labuschagne. However, Kohli’s reprieve was short-lived as Scott Boland, relentless in his accuracy, lured him into edging another delivery. Beau Webster at third slip made no mistake, sending Kohli back for 17 off 69 balls. This dismissal marked Kohli’s seventh in the series, all following the pattern of edging behind, with Boland claiming his wicket for the fourth time in six innings despite Kohli’s efforts to adjust his stance.
Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja offered some resistance with a gritty 48-run stand for the fifth wicket in 25 overs, but Boland once again struck decisively. He first removed Pant, who spliced a pull to mid-on, and then dismissed Nitish Kumar Reddy for a duck the very next ball, caught at second slip. While Boland missed out on a hat-trick, he continued to exploit the pitch’s seam movement, troubling India with both the new and old ball. His brilliance left India reeling, underscoring Australia’s dominance on a challenging Sydney surface.
Rishabh Pant showcased an unusually restrained innings, scoring 40 off 98 balls, a stark contrast to his aggressive outings at the MCG where his risky first-innings scoop drew sharp criticism. Adjusting his approach, Pant leaned on his defensive skills, though he briefly reverted to his attacking instincts by stepping out to launch debutant Beau Webster over the sightscreen for six—only the sixth boundary for India in 46 overs. However, Pant’s subdued effort highlighted the relentless pressure from Australia’s versatile bowling attack. Webster, known for transitioning from off-spin to medium pace during the pandemic, delivered a tidy spell of 13-4-29-0 and impressed further with sharp slip catching.
Australia’s spearheads, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, dismantled India’s lower order with precision. Starc, battling back issues, generated speeds of 147 kph and exploited the uneven Sydney pitch to rattle Pant with blows to the body and helmet before dismissing him. Ravindra Jadeja’s gritty knock of 26 off 95 balls ended when Starc trapped him lbw. Cummins wrapped up the innings shortly after, as India folded for a modest 185, undone by the depth and skill in Australia’s attack.
India’s captain Jasprit Bumrah brought some late entertainment, smashing 22 off 17 balls with his trademark flair. However, his real impact came with the ball, claiming Usman Khawaja’s wicket on the final delivery of the day. The dismissal capped off a fiery end to the day, as Bumrah animatedly celebrated in front of Sam Konstas, the non-striker, following a heated exchange moments earlier. On-field umpires had to step in to calm the situation, ensuring the tension did not escalate further.
With Bumrah’s animated antics and the promise of more fiery exchanges, day two at the SCG is poised for an intriguing continuation of this gripping Test.
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