Sat Jan 04 12:17:49 UTC 2025: ## Pant’s Blitz Fuels India’s Dominance on Day 2 of Sydney Test
**Sydney, Australia –** Rishabh Pant’s explosive 61 off just 32 balls propelled India to a commanding position on day two of the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. India, resuming at 9/1 after Australia’s first innings of 181, reached 141/6 at stumps, holding a 145-run lead.
Pant’s innings, featuring the second-fastest fifty for India in Test cricket (29 balls), was the highlight of a day where India dominated proceedings. His whirlwind knock, however, ended when he edged Pat Cummins to Alex Carey. Earlier, India’s bowlers had bundled out Australia for 181, despite a debut half-century (57) from Beau Webster. Mohammed Siraj (3/51), Prasidh Krishna (3/42), and Nitish Reddy (2/32) were the chief destroyers of the Australian batting lineup. Jasprit Bumrah, who left the field for scans due to an unspecified injury, took 2/33 before his departure.
India’s batting, while initially promising with Jaiswal’s quick start (22), suffered a middle-order collapse after Pant’s dismissal. Scott Boland was particularly effective, claiming three wickets.
The day was punctuated by several exciting moments, including Pant’s six-hitting spree and a number of crucial wickets for both sides. With just over half an hour of play remaining, India will be aiming to build on their lead on Day 3, hoping to wrap up the series victory. The injury to Bumrah, however, casts a shadow over India’s prospects.
First Piper 