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Bumrah Injured, India Leads by 145 After Wild Day 2
Rishabh Pant's explosive 61 off 33 balls capped a chaotic second day in the fifth and final Test between India and Australia, with 15 wickets falling at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Despite the dramatic events, including star bowler Jasprit Bumrah leaving the field with back spasms, India holds a 145-run lead, reaching 141-6 with three days remaining.
“We’re in a low-scoring game, and that heightens the pressure,” said Australia’s coach, Andrew McDonald. “There’s plenty of cricket left, so we'll see how it unfolds.”
Australia was dismissed for 181, giving India a slender four-run lead. Bumrah, who had taken 2-33 in the first innings, left for medical scans and returned to the ground later, though his availability for the remainder of the Test is uncertain.
Beau Webster impressed on debut, top-scoring for Australia with 57, while Steve Smith fell short of 10,000 career Test runs.
Pant’s swashbuckling knock—featuring six boundaries and four sixes—left the match evenly poised. “It’s a lot of risk, but that’s how the game is played today,” said Prasidh Krishna.
At stumps, India’s Ravindra Jadeja was 8* and Washington Sundar 6*. Scott Boland continued his fine form, claiming four wickets, including the key scalps of KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Virat Kohli, whose dismissal could mark his final Test innings in Australia.
Earlier, Australia’s batting faltered under pressure from Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj, as the visitors bowled Australia out before tea. Smith and Webster had briefly stabilized the innings after a top-order collapse.
Bumrah’s performance in this series has been historic, with 32 wickets, the most ever by an Indian bowler in a single series in Australia.
India, leading the series 2-1, can retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a drawn series, while a win for Australia would secure a spot in the World Test Championship final.
Absent Sharma Clarifies Decision
Rohit Sharma responded to suggestions that he was dropped ahead of the decisive Test, stating he chose to stand down due to poor form. "I spoke to the coach and selectors, and they supported my decision to step aside for a more in-form player,” Sharma explained.