Sun Jan 05 01:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Australia Stumbles in Pursuit of 162-Run Target Against India in Thrilling Sydney Test
**Sydney, Australia:** A thrilling fifth test match between India and Australia is underway in Sydney. India set Australia a challenging 162-run target for victory, and the hosts are struggling to chase it down. At lunch on day three, Australia reached 71/3, still needing 91 runs to win. Travis Head (5*) and Usman Khawaja (19*) are at the crease.
The Australian innings started aggressively, with the openers scoring 26 runs in the first two overs. However, India’s bowlers then tightened their grip, dismissing Marnus Labuschagne (6) and Steve Smith (4) cheaply. Prasidh Krishna took all three wickets.
India’s captain Jasprit Bumrah missed the day’s play due to an injury sustained while batting. He faced only three balls before retiring hurt and did not return to the field. Virat Kohli is leading the team in his absence.
Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna led the Indian pace attack, but Siraj conceded runs freely despite not taking a wicket. In contrast, Prasidh bowled exceptionally well, maintaining pressure on the Australians. Kohli’s seemingly frustrated gestures after Smith’s dismissal have gone viral on social media.
India’s innings earlier in the day ended quickly after resuming at 141/6 overnight. They lost their last four wickets for just 16 runs, with Pat Cummins proving particularly devastating. Cummins dismissed Ravindra Jadeja (13) and Washington Sundar (12) with brilliant bowling. The tail offered little resistance, with Bumrah (0) and Siraj (4) falling to Scott Boland, who finished with six wickets in the innings.
First Piper 