The match has progressed at a blistering pace. Day 1 saw 11 wickets fall, while 15 tumbled on Day 2, ensuring there was never a dull moment as bowlers dominated the action throughout. Despite Bumrah bowling just 10 overs, the Indian bowlers delivered a spirited performance. Krishna and Reddy, who initially struggled with their line and length, regrouped effectively to help India bowl out the hosts for 181. India secured a slender first-innings lead of four runs.
For Australia, debutant Webster top-scored with a gritty fifty, but the hosts found themselves on the back foot after the first innings. Adding to India’s concerns was Bumrah’s fitness, as he went for a scan after lunch, raising alarms. However, the Indian openers began positively before Boland turned the game around. With a fiery spell, he struck thrice, reducing India from 42/1 to 78/4, leaving the visitors on shaky ground.
Amid the chaos, Rishabh Pant took charge, smashing a blistering 61 off just 33 balls, injecting life back into the Indian innings. By stumps, India had stretched their lead to 145 runs, setting the stage for an enthralling continuation.
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Drama Unfolds as India Takes Control Amid Injury Concerns
During the lunch break on Day 2, Rohit Sharma clarified that he had opted out of the Sydney Test and was not retiring from Test cricket just yet. Shortly after the break, Jasprit Bumrah, who had taken over the captaincy from Rohit, left the SCG for scans. At that point, Australia had already lost half their side, with the match—and the series—balanced precariously. Despite Bumrah’s absence, India managed to secure a slender four-run first-innings lead, setting up the Sydney Test as a high-stakes second-innings shootout.
Rishabh Pant then took center stage, smashing a breathtaking 29-ball half-century, the second-fastest by an Indian in Test cricket, just behind his own 28-ball blitz against Sri Lanka in 2022. Pant’s counter-attack electrified the 47,257-strong Sydney crowd, especially after Scott Boland had torn through India’s top order with surgical precision. Despite late dismissals of Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy, India ended the day with a 145-run lead, keeping the contest finely balanced.
However, the second-innings battle could tilt in Australia’s favor if Bumrah is unable to bowl further in this Test.
India’s Support Bowlers Shine as Krishna and Reddy Lead the Charge
On Day 2, India’s support bowlers delivered an exceptional performance, with Prasidh Krishna and Reddy sharing five wickets between them. The non-Bumrah seamers combined for impressive figures of 8 for 132—their best effort in any innings on this tour.
Reddy made a significant impact with a double-strike, taking two wickets in two balls, while Prasidh marked his Test comeback in style by dismissing Steven Smith, Alex Carey, and debutant Beau Webster. Webster, who top-scored for Australia with a resilient 57 off 105 balls, continued his dream debut, becoming the first Australian since Adam Voges in 2015 to score a half-century on Test debut.
Bumrah and Siraj Lead India’s Early Charge with Contrasting Styles
The day began with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Marnus Labuschagne for 2, followed by an intense glare at non-striker Sam Konstas. Bumrah’s wicket saw him surpass Bishan Singh Bedi’s record for the most wickets by an Indian bowler on an Australian tour.
The 19-year-old Konstas, however, showed grit with the bat, advancing down the track to drive Bumrah for a boundary. When Bumrah adjusted his field, adding a deep third, Konstas countered with a daring reverse ramp, forcing further tweaks to the field.
In the very next over, Mohammed Siraj struck twice in three balls. First, he removed Konstas for 23 off 57 balls with a beautifully crafted outswinger to gully, and then dismissed Travis Head for 4 with a sharp catch at second slip. While Bumrah and the Australian quicks focused on hitting the deck hard, Siraj exploited swing with fuller deliveries, maximizing his impact on a productive morning for India.
Prasidh and Reddy Spark Australia’s Collapse After Smith-Webster Stand
Steve Smith and Beau Webster provided Australia with some stability, forging a 57-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, just before the lunch break, Prasidh Krishna struck a decisive blow, dismissing Smith for 95 with an impeccably fuller delivery, leaving him five runs short of the coveted 10,000 Test runs milestone.
Prasidh carried his momentum into the afternoon session, breaching Alex Carey’s defenses with a similar length delivery. Reddy then took charge, dismantling Australia’s lower order by removing Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in quick succession. The hosts crumbled, losing their last four wickets for just 19 runs, and were bowled out for a modest 181, leaving India in control.
Boland and Webster Dent India’s Second Innings After Fiery Start
Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone for India’s second innings with a dazzling start, slicing Mitchell Starc for four boundaries in the very first over. KL Rahul, at the other end, matched the aggressive intent until Scott Boland stepped in to halt the early blitz.
Boland struck in his second over, forcing Rahul to chop an inducker onto his stumps. In his very next over, he produced a masterpiece to dismiss Jaiswal—a delivery that angled in from around the wicket, seamed away late, and clipped the top of off stump. Boland wasn’t done yet. He removed Virat Kohli for 6, continuing a troubling pattern for the Indian star, who has now been caught behind the stumps in eight of his nine innings in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli’s frustration was evident as he yelled at himself and punched his leg in anger.
Debutant Beau Webster added to India’s woes, claiming his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Shubman Gill, caught behind off the inside edge, leaving India’s innings in tatters.
Pant’s Counter-Attack Stuns Australia Before Late Wickets Balance the Day
After grinding out a patient 40 off 98 balls on the first day, Rishabh Pant unleashed his natural flair on the second. Facing Scott Boland, who had just dismissed Virat Kohli, Pant charged at his very first delivery and clobbered it over mid-on for six. He followed up with an attempted reverse-ramp on his third ball, signaling his aggressive intent despite the risk.
Pant then targeted Beau Webster, smashing three consecutive boundaries, including a signature falling sweep-pull. He brought up his half-century in style with a helicoptered six off Mitchell Starc and immediately followed it with another six.
His relentless onslaught disrupted Australia’s plans, forcing them to adopt T20-style lines and lengths. Pat Cummins attempted to keep the ball away from Pant’s arc, but a short and wide delivery lured Pant into chasing it, resulting in an edge to the keeper. Scott Boland struck again shortly after, dismissing Nitish Kumar Reddy for 4, rounding off an exhilarating 15-wicket day at the SCG.
Scott Boland’s Masterclass: A Series for the Ages
Scott Boland’s performance in this Test has been nothing short of extraordinary, drawing false shots from 42% of deliveries— the second-highest percentage ever recorded by a bowler in a Test where they delivered at least 20 overs.
In this series, Boland has claimed 19 wickets, a remarkable feat that ties him for the most wickets taken by a change bowler in a series against India, while featuring in only three or fewer Tests. His pinpoint accuracy and ability to exploit even the slightest errors from batters have made him a game-changing force throughout the series.
Australia vs India 5th Test Summary
India 141 for 6 (Pant 61; Boland 4-42) and 185 lead Australia 181 (Webster 57, Smith 33; Prasidh 3-42, Siraj 3-51) by 145 runs
Looking Ahead to Day 3: Can India Extend Their Lead Amid Fitness Concerns?
Day 2 at the SCG was a whirlwind, with 15 wickets falling in an action-packed session. Australia began the day at 9 for 1, but Jasprit Bumrah struck early by dismissing Marnus Labuschagne. Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Nitish Kumar Reddy then combined to bowl Australia out for 181, giving India a slender four-run lead.
India started their second innings in explosive fashion, with Yashasvi Jaiswal smashing four boundaries off Mitchell Starc in the opening over. However, Scott Boland turned the tide, taking three quick wickets. Rishabh Pant’s blazing 61 off just 33 balls kept India in the contest, but with stumps called, the match hangs in the balance.
India hold a 145-run lead but are down to just four wickets in hand. The spotlight now shifts to Bumrah’s fitness, as he left the field post-lunch for scans due to back spasms. Prasidh Krishna’s confirmation of Bumrah’s condition adds a layer of uncertainty—can he recover in time to make an impact on Day 3?
With the SCG pitch aiding bowlers, India will aim to extend their lead early on Day 3. But much will depend on Bumrah’s availability, as his presence could be pivotal in this tightly contested Test.
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FAQs
What was the key moment in India’s lead on Day 2 of the Sydney Test?
Rishabh Pant’s explosive 61 off 33 balls helped India extend their lead, despite a collapse from the top order.
How did Scott Boland perform on Day 2 of the Test?
Boland took three quick wickets, including those of KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Virat Kohli, making a significant impact.
What is the current lead for India in the Sydney Test?
India holds a narrow 145-run lead over Australia with only four wickets in hand heading into Day 3.
What is the latest on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness?
Bumrah suffered from back spasms and left the field for scans after lunch, raising concerns about his availability for Day 3.
How can Bumrah’s fitness affect India’s chances in this Test?
Bumrah’s recovery is crucial; his presence in India’s bowling attack could be decisive in maintaining their lead and securing a win.
