PIX: Pant sets up exciting finish after fiery fifty

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Last updated on: January 04, 2025 13:45 IST

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Images from Day 2 of the fifth Test between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Rishabh Pant hit 6 fours and 4 sixes while scoring 61 off only 33 balls in India's second innings on Day 2 of the fifth Test against Australia at the SCG on Saturday.

IMAGE: Rishabh Pant hit 6 fours and 4 sixes while scoring 61 off only 33 balls in India's second innings on Day 2 of the fifth Test against Australia at the SCG on Saturday. Photograph: BCCI/X

India brushed off the absence of captain Jasprit Bumrah to dismiss Australia for 181 and reach 141 for 6 for an overall lead of 145 on an extraordinary Day 2 in the fifth Test on Saturday.

On a day of high drama at a sunbathed Sydney Cricket Ground, Bumrah took the first wicket to set India on their way but departed with the team doctor soon after lunch for medical scans of an undisclosed injury.

 

Scott Boland took 4-42 in the final session to add to his four-wicket haul

IMAGE: Scott Boland took 4-42 in the final session to add to his four-wicket haul from India’s first innings. Photograph: ICC X

Prasidh Krishna (3-42), Mohammed Siraj (3-51) and Nitish Kumar Reddy stepped into the considerable bowling void left by their captain to rout Australia and fire India to a slender first-innings lead of four runs at tea.

There was still plenty of spice in the wicket, however, and paceman Scott Boland took 4-42 in the final session to add to his four-wicket haul on Friday, as Australia lopped the top off the Indian batting and dug deep into the middle order.

Mohammed Siraj celebrates with his India teammates after having Sam Konstas caught by  Yashasvi Jaiswal in Australia's first innings.

IMAGE: Mohammed Siraj celebrates with his India teammates after having Sam Konstas caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal in Australia's first innings. Photograph: BCCI/X

Rishabh Pant threw off the shackles and produced some extraordinary shots in a stunning 28-ball half century to stop the rot but he too departed for 61 in the final hour, Australia skipper Pat Cummins claiming the 14th wicket of the day.

There was still time for Boland to claim his fourth victim in the shape of Nitish Kumar Reddy, leaving Ravindra Jadeja, who was eight not out, and Washington Sundar, unbeaten on six, at the crease at the close of play.

Beau Webster waves to the crowd after completing 50.

IMAGE: Beau Webster waves to the crowd after completing 50. Photograph: ICC X

The crowd of 47,257 enjoying the Sydney sunshine certainly got their money's worth as the momentum shifted back and forth, as it has over the series, which Australia lead 2-1.

Debutant all-rounder Beau Webster, whose 57 was Australia's highest score, was cheered to the rafters for his half century and again when he removed Shubman Gill for 13 later in the day to claim his maiden Test wicket.

Prasidh Krishna celebrates with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who took the catch to dismiss Beau Webster.

IMAGE: Prasidh Krishna celebrates with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who took the catch to dismiss Beau Webster. Photograph: BCCI/X

Virat Kohli, standing in as India captain after Bumrah's departure, was booed to the crease for what is likely to be his final innings in Australia, and cheered back to the boundary rope after Boland had him caught in the slips for a timid six.

Boland is fast becoming a cult hero in Australia and possibly the loudest roar came when he bowled a peach of a delivery to take out opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's off stump and end a promising innings on 22.

Nitish Kumar Reddy celebrates dismissing Pat Cummins.

IMAGE: Nitish Kumar Reddy celebrates dismissing Pat Cummins. Photograph: BCCI/X

The Indian supporters had plenty to cheer too, starting with Bumrah's dismissal of Marnus Labuschagne in the morning session to take his series tally to 32 wickets at an average of 13.06.

Krishna also had the Indian flags waving when he had Steve Smith caught in the slips for 33 to break up a fifth-wicket partnership of 57 with Webster and leave the former Australia captain five short of 10,000 Test runs.

Jasprit Bumrah celebrates having Marnus Labuschagne caught by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

IMAGE: Jasprit Bumrah celebrates having Marnus Labuschagne caught by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Photograph: BCCI/X

India, without captain Rohit Sharma for the match, need to win in Sydney to square up the series at 2-2 and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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