Rishab Pant's Dazzling 61 Keeps Final Test on a Knife's Edge

Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Fifth Test, Day Two, Sydney

India: 185 (Pant 40; Boland 4-31, Starc 3-49) & 141-6 (Pant 61; Boland 4-42)
Australia: 181 (Webster 57; Siraj 3-51, Krishna 3-42)

India Lead by 145 Runs

Rishabh Pant's electrifying 61 off just 33 balls gave India a crucial lead of 145 runs in the final Test against Australia after a gripping second day in Sydney. The day was marked by the fall of 15 wickets, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.

Boland’s Early Strike

Australia’s Scott Boland delivered a devastating spell early in India’s second innings, taking three quick wickets to put the visitors under pressure. This followed Australia’s first-innings effort of 181, in which debutant Beau Webster top-scored with 57.

Despite a slender four-run first-innings lead, India found themselves struggling at 141-6 by the end of the day, with Pant's fearless counterattack providing some breathing room.

Pant's Explosive Innings

Pant arrived at the crease shortly after Virat Kohli fell for six in his final Test innings on Australian soil. Unfazed by the precarious situation, Pant immediately went on the offensive, smashing Boland for a six over long-on and dispatching Mitchell Starc for back-to-back sixes.

He raced to a half-century in just 29 balls, narrowly slower than his record against Sri Lanka in 2022. His thrilling knock ended with a nick off Pat Cummins, but his efforts ensured India’s lead remained competitive. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar held fort till stumps after Nitish Kumar Reddy holed out to Cummins.

Bumrah’s Fitness a Question Mark

India’s skipper Jasprit Bumrah left the field during the afternoon session with an apparent injury but was seen returning later. His availability for day three could be pivotal as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy hangs in the balance.

Webster’s Solid Debut

Beau Webster’s composed 57 steadied Australia after a top-order collapse left them reeling at 39-4. The 31-year-old debutant also claimed his maiden Test wicket, dismissing Shubman Gill. However, Steve Smith’s dropped catch off Webster's bowling denied him Jadeja’s wicket before the close.

Boland Shines Again

Boland, the 35-year-old Victorian, was the standout bowler for Australia. His ability to extract movement off the seam resulted in the dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal and kept India under pressure throughout the innings.

What Lies Ahead

With a tricky pitch at the SCG still offering plenty for the bowlers, day three promises to be another fast-paced affair. Australia will aim to wrap up India’s innings quickly and keep the target within reach. Meanwhile, India will look to extend their lead and put pressure on the hosts as they seek to level the series.

Australia's Alex Carey on ABC:
"The game is perfectly poised. The pitch has a lot of bounce, and we’ll back ourselves to take those last four wickets early tomorrow. Pant’s knock made the difference, but if we keep creating chances, we can pull this off."

Former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath on ABC:
"This pitch demands aggression. Pant’s innings was crucial for India; without it, they’d be in deep trouble. You can’t just defend here—you have to score runs to stay in the game."

As both teams gear up for another high-stakes day, the fate of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy remains uncertain, with every session proving decisive.