Sat Jan 04 07:43:31 UTC 2025: ## India Dominates Day 2 of Sydney Test Despite Pant’s Dismissal
**Sydney, Australia:** India maintained a strong grip on the fifth and final Test against Australia, ending day two with a commanding lead despite the loss of key wickets. Resuming from Australia’s precarious 9/1, India’s second innings saw a thrilling display of batting from Rishabh Pant, who blasted a stunning 61 off just 33 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes) before falling to Pat Cummins. His innings helped India reach 131/6 at stumps, extending their overall lead to 145 runs.
India’s first innings had ended on a disappointing 185, with Scott Boland taking 4 wickets. Boland continued his impressive form in the second innings, claiming another four wickets. The pitch, described as offering significant assistance to the bowlers due to long grass, proved challenging for batsmen.
Jasprit Bumrah, leading India in Rohit Sharma’s absence, continues to make history. He has already surpassed the record for most wickets in a single Border-Gavaskar Trophy series and is nearing Bishan Singh Bedi’s record for most wickets by an Indian bowler in a series played in Australia (currently 31). Bumrah currently stands at 30 wickets in the current series.
While Pant’s explosive innings provided a significant boost, the loss of wickets towards the end of the day leaves the match far from over. Ravindra Jadeja (8*) and Washington Sundar (6*) will resume the innings on day three. The remaining two days of the match promise an exciting contest.
First Piper 