The Indian side underwent a successful second session on Day 2 of the fifth and final Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Sydney. The collective effort of the bowling unit saw them bundling out hosts for 181 and secure a four-run first-innings lead.
Australia started the second session on 101/5, with Beau Webster (28*) and Alex Carey (4*). Webster ended the first over with a delightful straight drive punch against Prasidh Krishna. The shot certainly exuded confidence into their partnership, as the duo was calculative with their approach.
Thereafter, Carey did the bulk of the scoring, while Webster played as a second fiddle. The southpaw scored consistent boundaries to get things going for the hosts, and bail them out of a precarious situation. However, Krishna went through the gates of Carey to dismiss him for 21 off 36, which opened floodgates for India yet again.
Soon, the footage of Jasprit Bumrah leaving the SCG was telecasted on the TV. The Indian captain just bowled a solitary over in the second session and left the ground for scans after half-an-hour absence. The injury scare comes on the back of Bumrah’s workload, where he has delivered 152.1 overs in nine innings, picking up 32 wickets at 13.06 in the series.
In place of Bumrah, Virat Kohli led the Indian team, who were energized with much assistance from the surface.
Nitish Reddy’s double strike end Australia’s innings early
Despite the dismissal of Alex Carey, debutant Beau Webster was impressive with his resilience to steer the hosts carefully. His impressive cover drives against Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Reddy were a testament of his confidence.
Although, Pat Cummins looked well set to contribute in a hefty manner, Reddy induced his edge and made him caught at the slips for 10 off 20. In only his next over, the right-arm pacer made Mitchell Starc uncomfortable with his shorter delivery, and dismissed him for 1.
Soon, Krishna bowled a good-length ball around the fifth stump, as Webster was stunned with the bounce, and his tentative push was caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal. The right-hander was the top-scorer for Australia with a 57-run knock off 105 balls.
Mohammed Siraj bowled a peach of a delivery, which swung back in sharply to rattle the stumps of Scott Boland (9). As a result, Australia was bowled out for 181, as India secured a four-run lead.
Siraj and Krishna wreaked havoc with three wickets apiece, while Reddy did the job well with two important scalps.
