Indian bowlers dominate before Rishabh Pant’s explosive knock sees Sydney Test head for exciting finish

The second day of the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar series was eventful to say the least. First off, the Indian bowlers rattled the Australia batters and bundled out them out for just 181 runs, giving the visitors a lead of 4 runs heading into the second innings.

Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj chipped in with 2 wickets each while both Jasprit Bumrah and Nitish Kumar Reddy ended the innings with 2 wickets each.

The Men in Blue were given a massive scare when pace spearhead and stand-in captain Bumrah underwent precautionary scans for an unspecified injury after leaving the field in the post-lunch session.

Following an impressive bowling display, it was the time for India batters to deliver. However, the top-order certainly wasn’t able to do so as the first 4 batters – Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli were all dismissed cheaply. It looked like the visitors would be bundled out within the second day itself, however Rishabh Pant had other ideas.

The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter played a fantastic knock of 61 runs from just 33 deliveries to somehow keep India’s innings afloat despite the hosts being in command. The Men in Blue finished the day on 141/6 and currently lead by 145 runs. Ravindra Jadeja (8*) and Washington Sundar (6*) will be looking to India’s lead towards the 200-run mark on the third day.

Pant’s knock prevented the Indian innings from falling apart with the visitors’ top and lower-order struggling to negotiate against the Australian attack on a track that was aided seam and bounce. Scott Boland was once again the top bowler for the Baggy Greens, finishing the second day with figures of 4/42.

The match looks certain to end on the third day, however India will be counting on skipper Bumrah to return to full fitness if they hope to defend a low total.

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