IND vs AUS fifth Test: Rishabh Pant smashes half-century, on a rampage

India’s Rishabh Pant bats during play on the second day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, January 4, 2025
| Photo Credit: AP

Scott Boland took Nitish Reddy when he tried to hit the ball through mid-off. The effort went in vain when Nitish chipped the ball straight into Pat Cummins hands.

Rishabh Pant reached half-century in style, waging an aggressive attack against Australian bowlers, before he departs edging Cummins’ ball on Day 2 of the 5th India vs Australia Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday (January 4, 2025)

Debutant Webster got his first wicket as Alex Carey pouched the ball when Shubman Gill stepped out on a futile effort to heave it over the mid-wicket.

Also read: I have not retired, I just stood down from this Test because I am not in form, says Rohit Sharma

As a massive wicket, Scott Boland took Virat Kohli as his third, as the latter edged and left the crease. This could perhaps be Kohli’s last Test innings in Australia. The scoreboard read 59 for three after the dismissal.

After a quick start, India lost both of their openers K.L. Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, out to Boland, in the second innings, ending a promising partnership that was in the making.

Australia all out, as Mohammed Siraj castled Boland. Australia’s scoreboard read 181 for ten, trailing by a mere 4 runs.

Prasidh Krishna marked his third wicket of the match, by scalping Beau Webster, taking the ninth wicket of Australia.

Nitish Reddy got his second wicket, as he nailed Mitchell Starc. Pat Cummins was his first in this innings.

Virat Kohli took over the baton from skipper Jasprit Bumrah, as he marched back to the dressing room, perhaps due to an injury.

Despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, other Indian bowlers rose to the occasion as Nitish Kumar Reddy removed both Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc and Australia are at 164 for 8 still trailing by 21 runs.

As the match continued after the lunch, Prasidh Krishna castled Alex Carey, after a failed effort. When the game broke for lunch, Australia’s scoreboard read 101 for five wickets, trailing by 84 runs.

Prasidh dismissed an ominous Steve Smith, and the latter departed, leaving Australia with 95 runs for five wickets.

Travis Head walked back to the dressing room as Mohammed Siraj struck again to take a very crucial wicket of Australia. Sam Konstas edged Mohammed Siraj to loose a wicket for Australia in the game, to leave the team with 35 runs for three.

The star bowler of the series, Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah did that again. He took the early wicket of Marnus Labuschagne, making things tight for Australia.

Day 1 report

Friday (January 3, 2025) dawned to the wet streaks of rain, just about enough to accentuate the green on leaves. When the dampness paused, it was time for cricket’s annual pilgrimage to the Sydney Cricket Ground.

India turned up with Jasprit Bumrah at the helm while Rohit Sharma, according to the former, opted to rest. A change in leadership, however, did not usher in a difference in the manner the visitors batted on a pitch that seemed more Perth and less Sydney.

There was movement and some bounce, and as the fifth Test’s opening day stretched, the template of wilting Indian batters against resurgent Australian pacers, was on view. At close, Australia scored nine for one in reply to India’s first innings score of 185. A fired up Bumrah, after a chat with Sam Konstas, dismissed Usman Khawaja.