The ongoing fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground has seen a fascinating battle of resilience and aggression as India battles Australia on a challenging surface. By stumps on Day 2, India found themselves at 141/6 in their second innings, holding a slender but significant lead of 145 runs.

India’s resilience meets Australia’s fierce bowling attack 

After a strong fightback from the Indian bowlers restricted Australia to 181 in their first innings, Scott Boland emerged as the thorn in India’s side. His incisive bowling returned figures of 4/42 in the second innings, reducing India to a precarious position. However, the spirited counterattack led by Rishabh Pant, who blazed his way to a thrilling 61 off just 33 balls, infused life into the contest.

His audacious stroke play, including six boundaries and four towering sixes, came as a much-needed counterpunch against Boland and Pat Cummins, who had tightened the screws early on. As the match heads into Day 3, all eyes are on the lower order, with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar tasked with extending the lead on a track that offers plenty to the bowlers.

Australia’s first innings collapse amidst India’s clinical bowling display

Resuming at an overnight score of 9/1, Australia faced relentless pressure from the Indian bowling attack on Day 2. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna exploited the surface expertly, maintaining unrelenting accuracy and extracting movement. Early breakthroughs saw Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja depart cheaply, with Bumrah dismissing both batters through impeccable seam position. Steve Smith held the innings together with a composed 33, but his resistance ended when Krishna induced an edge to KL Rahul.

The spotlight then shifted to Beau Webster, whose gritty 57 provided Australia with some semblance of stability. Webster’s patient knock, laced with five boundaries, showcased his temperament, yet India’s bowlers always seemed a step ahead. Siraj’s fiery pace and Krishna’s consistency broke partnerships at crucial junctures, while debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy‘s dismissal of Cummins and Mitchell Starc underlined India’s depth. The dismissal of Boland by Siraj concluded Australia’s innings at 181, leaving them trailing by four runs, ensuring the game remained delicately poised.

Also WATCH: Jasprit Bumrah leaves SCG ground amid injury fears on Day 2 of the 5th Test – AUS vs IND

Rishabh Pant’s counterattacking brilliance and Scott Boland’s lethal spell

India’s second innings began with high expectations but soon descended into chaos as Boland wreaked havoc with his precision and control. The visitors lost Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli within 13 overs, leaving them reeling at 59/3. Shubman Gill and Pant briefly steadied the ship before Gill perished to Beau Webster’s sharp turn. Pant, however, turned the tide with a scintillating counterattack that left the Australian bowlers searching for answers.

Displaying his full repertoire of strokes, Pant targeted both spinners and pacers, racing to a half-century in just 29 balls. His partnership with Jadeja added 46 crucial runs before Cummins struck to remove the dynamic left-hander. Boland returned to dismiss Nitish Kumar Reddy shortly after, tightening Australia’s grip. Despite Pant’s heroics, India’s innings remained fragile, with Jadeja and Sundar tasked with navigating a tricky final session. Their stoic defense ensured India reached stumps without further damage, keeping alive the possibility of a competitive total on Day 3.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Is Scott Boland the best fast bowler in the world not to feature in the first choice XI of a test playing country?

— Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz) January 4, 2025

Highest quality seam bowling this from Scott Boland.

— Prasanna (@prasannalara) January 4, 2025

Scott Boland Is a good bowler. But no way he averages early 20s in any other era

That’s why Bowlers should be scrutinized more in this bowling era and batsmen given leeway

This is case by case of course. Batting still rules in Pakistan, England has seen a resurgence, NZ stayed

— Chatil Panditasekara (@ChatilPandi) January 4, 2025

If you see scott boland in public it is your civic duty to buy the man a beer

— Jacqui Reed (@JacquiReed_) January 4, 2025

Scott Boland se zyada darr lagta hai… 😳

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 4, 2025

Forget about stands & ends, Scott Boland could have a “length” named after him #AusvInd

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 4, 2025

This is the reason Rishabh Pant is the most feared Indian batter in Australia. That was spectacular and on this pitch, full of treachery, it was needed.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 4, 2025

This is Rishabh Pant that I know and have liked over the years. Putting pressure back on the opposition bowlers by taking calculated risks.

— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) January 4, 2025

Sam Konstas, watch and learn from the master Rishabh Pant.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 4, 2025

Sunil Gavaskar reminds me of Master Shifu and Rishabh Pant of Kung fu Panda.

No matter what the “guru” says, the student will continue doing what he thinks works.

🤦🏾‍♂️😁

— KSR (@KShriniwasRao) January 4, 2025

Crazy that Scott Boland revealed his plans for getting Kohli out.
And still got him out!
Using the exact plan.

Shows how good he is and also how out of it Kohli is…

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) January 4, 2025

Day 2, Stumps

India: 141/6, lead by 145 runs 🏏

Rishabh Pant: 61#Cricket #AUSvIND #RishabhPant #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/A2JgcDxOCr

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 4, 2025

Also READ: Rohit Sharma opens up on retirement talks after missing the Sydney Test – AUS vs IND

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