Sydney [Australia]: Indian seamers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, alongside all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, played pivotal roles as India gained the upper hand in the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. By Tea on Day 2, the Australian side was bowled out for 181, handing India a slender 4-run lead.
Resuming the second session at 101/5, Australia’s hopes rested on debutant Beau Webster and wicketkeeper Alex Carey. The duo added 31 runs before Carey was dismissed in the 38th over for 21 runs, which included four boundaries.
Pat Cummins joined Webster at the crease, but their partnership yielded only 25 runs. In the 45th over, Nitish Kumar Reddy struck to remove Webster for a well-crafted 57 off 105 balls, a knock featuring five boundaries. Two overs later, Reddy dismissed Mitchell Starc, who managed just a single run.
The innings ended at 181 when Siraj clean-bowled Scott Boland in the 51st over. For India, Siraj and Krishna claimed three wickets each, while Reddy and Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with two apiece.
Early Session: India Apply Pressure
Australia started Day 2 at 9/1, with opener Sam Konstas unbeaten on seven. Joining him was Marnus Labuschagne, but India’s bowlers were unyielding, maintaining disciplined line and length.
Bumrah opened the day with a key breakthrough, dismissing Labuschagne for just two runs in the fourth over. With this wicket, Bumrah surpassed Bishan Singh Bedi’s record for most wickets in an overseas Test series by an Indian bowler.
Steven Smith partnered with Konstas to stabilize the innings briefly, but Siraj turned the tide in the 12th over with a double strike. He dismissed Konstas for 23 and removed Travis Head, the series’ top scorer, for just four runs, leaving Australia reeling.
Webster then combined with Smith to steady the ship, taking Australia past 50 and building a 50-run stand by the 26th over. However, Prasidh Krishna struck in the 28th over to dismiss Smith for 33, reducing the hosts to 101/5.
At the Tea break, India held the momentum firmly, thanks to their relentless bowling attack.
Brief Scores:
India: 185
Australia: 181 (Beau Webster 57; Mohammed Siraj 3/42, Prasidh Krishna 3/45)
