A scintillating counterattack from Rishabh Pant lifted India to 141/6 in their second innings on Day 2 of the fifth Border-Gavaskar Test, setting Australia a challenging target with a slender 145-run lead. Pant’s whirlwind knock of 61 off just 33 balls injected much-needed momentum into India’s innings after a shaky start.
Earlier in the day, Australia’s batting lineup faltered under relentless pressure from India’s bowlers, who dismissed the hosts for 181. Beau Webster, the Australian debutant, stood tall with a gritty 57, but lacked support as the Indian pacers seized key moments. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna claimed three wickets apiece, while Jasprit Bumrah and Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with two each, helping India secure a slender four-run first-innings lead.
India’s second innings started with a promising flourish from openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. However, Scott Boland, who had been in sublime form, struck early blows. Rahul departed for 13, gloving a short delivery, and Jaiswal followed soon after, bowled for 22 as Boland began to dismantle the top order.
The troubles deepened when Virat Kohli was caught in the slip cordon by Steve Smith off Boland for 17, leaving India at 59/3. Shubman Gill’s woes continued as Webster marked his Test debut with his maiden wicket, dismissing the young batter for 13.
With India reeling at 72/4, Rishabh Pant arrived and immediately shifted the momentum. Unfazed by the precarious situation, Pant launched a fearless assault on the Australian bowlers. He began his innings in typical style, hammering Mitchell Starc for a six off his first ball. From there, Pant unleashed a barrage of boundaries, punishing every loose delivery.
Pant brought up his half-century in just 29 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian in Test cricket, narrowly missing his own record of 28 balls. His innings, featuring six boundaries and four massive sixes, electrified the crowd and took India’s lead past the 100-run mark. The fiery knock ended when Pat Cummins delivered a sharp bouncer, drawing a mistimed shot that was caught in the deep.
Despite Pant’s heroics, Australia clawed back. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s dismissal for 4 left India wobbling at 124/6. However, Ravindra Jadeja (8*) and Washington Sundar (6*) batted cautiously under fading light to take India to stumps without further damage.
Earlier in the day, Australia’s hopes of a substantial first-innings lead were dashed. Resuming at 101/5, Alex Carey and Beau Webster added 31 runs before Siraj struck, dismissing Carey for 21. Webster battled on, reaching a commendable half-century, but fell to Nitish Kumar Reddy after a determined 57. Australia’s tail offered little resistance, with Siraj cleaning up Boland to wrap up the innings at 181.
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