On Day 2 of the final Test between India and Australia in Sydney, Rishabh Pant played a blistering knock to help India take a commanding 145-run lead.
Pant scored a rapid 61 runs off just 33 balls, which included a 29-ball half-century, the second-fastest fifty in Test cricket for India. His attacking play lifted India to 141/6 at stumps after dismissing Australia for 181 earlier in the day.
India's bowlers were instrumental in dismissing Australia, with Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Nitish Reddy all stepping up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who left the field for scans due to an injury.
Siraj took 3 wickets for 51 runs, while Krishna and Reddy took 3/42 and 2/32, respectively. Australia was all out for 181, with India leading by 4 runs at the close of the day.
Despite a scare when Bumrah left the field, India’s bowlers responded superbly. Prasidh Krishna made key breakthroughs, including dismissing Steve Smith before lunch, and Nitish Reddy played a crucial role in reducing Australia’s lower order to pieces.
The hosts were left trailing by 19 runs when they lost their last wicket.
Pant’s explosive innings was the highlight of India's second innings, as he looked unstoppable at one point, but was finally dismissed by Australian captain Pat Cummins. At stumps, Ravindra Jadeja (8*) and Washington Sundar (6*) were at the crease, ensuring India’s lead remained substantial.
India’s progress was also hampered by Scott Boland, who took three early wickets to keep Australia in the game.
He dismissed KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Virat Kohli, leaving India with a challenging position at one point. But Pant’s timely intervention turned the tide in India’s favour, allowing them to take control of the game.
With a lead of 145 runs and four wickets still in hand, India is in a strong position heading into Day 3. The match continues to be an exciting contest, with both sides aiming to secure a crucial victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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