Rishabh Pant’s blistering 32-ball 61 guided India to 141 for six at stumps, leading by 145 runs after dismissing Australia for 181 on the second day of the final Test here on Saturday.
Pant’s remarkable knock included the second-fastest fifty for India in Test cricket, which he reached off just 29 balls, as India adopted an aggressive approach in their second innings. Ravindra Jadeja (8) and Washington Sundar (6) were at the crease as the visitors extended their lead.
Earlier, India’s bowlers put on a clinical display after the lunch session to dismiss Australia for 181. Mohammed Siraj (3/51), Prasidh Krishna (3/42), and Nitish Reddy (2/32) all stepped up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah (2/33), who was forced off the field for scans due to an unspecified injury.
Australia’s debutant Beau Webster (57) was the standout performer with the bat, scoring a half-century and adding a rapid 57 runs with Steve Smith (33). However, once Webster was dismissed, India dismantled the Australian tail with relative ease.
Australia resumed the day at 9/1 and lost Marnus Labuschagne (2) early. Siraj then struck in quick succession, dismissing Sam Konstas (23) and Travis Head (4) in the same over, leaving Australia on the back foot.
Brief Score
India 1st innings: 185 all out
Australia 1st innings: 181 all out in 51 overs (Beau Webster 57, Steve Smith 33; Prasidh Krishna 3/42, Mohammed Siraj 3/51, Nitish Reddy 2/32)
India 2nd innings: 141 for six in 32 overs (Rishabh Pant 61, Scott Boland 4/42)
Fall of Wickets
Yashasvi Jaiswal b Boland 22, KL Rahul b Boland 13, Shubman Gill c Alex Carey b Webster 13, Virat Kohli c Steven Smith b Boland 6, Rishabh Pant c Alex Carey b Cummins 61, Ravindra Jadeja not out 8, Nitish Kumar Reddy c Cummins b Boland 4, Washington Sundar not out 6.
Bowler's Figures
Mitchell Starc 4-0-36-0, Pat Cummins 11-4-31-1, Scott Boland 13-3-42-4, Beau Webster 4-1-24-1.
Follow us
