Sun Jan 05 01:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Pant’s Fiery Fifty and Boland’s Deadly Bowling Define Thrilling Fifth Test
**Sydney, January 5, 2025** – Rishabh Pant’s blistering 61 off just 33 balls, studded with six fours and four sixes, and Scott Boland’s lethal 4/42, which decimated India’s top order, were the highlights of a thrilling second day’s play in the fifth Test between Australia and India.
India, resuming their innings with a slender four-run lead, reached 141/6 at stumps, with Jadeja (8*) and Washington Sundar (6*) at the crease. Earlier, Australia were bowled out for 181 in their first innings, thanks in part to strong performances from Webster (57) and Smith (33). India’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna claiming three wickets each and Jasprit Bumrah and Nitish Kumar taking two apiece.
Bumrah’s exit from the field due to back pain saw Virat Kohli take over the captaincy temporarily. Despite Bumrah’s absence, India’s bowlers displayed resilience, restricting Australia and ultimately securing a 4-run lead. The day’s play saw a total of 314 runs scored and 15 wickets fall.
India’s first innings total was 185. Their second innings started with a promising 42-run partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal (22) and KL Rahul (13). However, Boland’s double strike disrupted their progress, dismissing both openers. Kohli (6) fell for his eighth consecutive low score, caught behind off Boland. The loss of Gill (13) left India struggling at 78/4.
Pant’s electrifying innings injected much-needed energy into India’s batting. He smashed a six off the very first ball he faced and continued his aggressive batting style. He reached his fifty in just 29 balls, setting a new record for the fastest fifty by a visiting batsman in Australia. He broke the previous record held jointly by John Brown (1895) and Roy Fredericks (1975). Pant eventually fell for 61, caught by Alex Carey off Pat Cummins.
With Bumrah’s fitness a concern, India will need Jadeja and Sundar to build a significant partnership to secure a challenging target for Australia in their second innings. The match remains delicately poised.
First Piper 