January 4, 2025

Smith Confident He Took Kohli’s Edge Cleanly

India’s preparation for the Sydney Test was overshadowed by off-field drama and an unexpected change in leadership, with Rohit Sharma stepping down as captain and Jasprit Bumrah taking over. Choosing to bat first, India faced a challenging day as Australia’s bowlers took control, limiting them to just 185 before stumps. The decision to bat first proved costly, with India’s batting order struggling against Australia’s disciplined bowling attack.

In a dramatic twist, Bumrah wrapped up the day’s play by dismissing Usman Khawaja on the final ball, leaving Australia at 9 for 1 at stumps. The tumultuous start, both on and off the field, set the stage for what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested Test match.

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Boland’s Masterful Precision Leaves India in Disarray

Scott Boland delivered a remarkable performance for Australia, taking 4 for 31 in a relentless 20-over spell. His pinpoint accuracy and ability to extract sharp seam movement on a lively Sydney pitch proved too challenging for India’s batters. Boland consistently hit the perfect length, troubling the opposition with both the new and old ball, while the variable bounce added to India’s difficulties.

Although Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins initially struggled with their lengths, Boland found his rhythm right away, striking in his very first over. He dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal for 10, with the young opener edging a well-seamed delivery to debutant Beau Webster at third slip. Boland’s disciplined bowling set the tone for Australia’s dominance throughout the innings.

India Struggles to Counter Australia’s Bowling Dominance

KL Rahul’s early dismissal set the tone for India’s struggles, as he chipped a leg-stump half-volley from Mitchell Starc straight to Sam Konstas at square leg, falling for just 4 in the fifth over. Shubman Gill, filling in for Rohit Sharma, made a promising start but was dismissed for 20, advancing against Nathan Lyon only to edge a catch to slip on the last ball before lunch. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Gill’s inability to convert starts into big scores continued, marking his third dismissal between 20 and 31 in four innings.

Virat Kohli narrowly avoided a first-ball dismissal when a low catch by Steven Smith at second slip was ruled not out by the TV umpire, who concluded the ball had touched the ground before being relayed to Marnus Labuschagne. However, Kohli’s reprieve was short-lived as Scott Boland’s precise line and length induced an edge, with Beau Webster at third slip making no mistake. Kohli was dismissed for 17 off 69 balls, his seventh in the series, all following the same pattern of edging behind, with Boland claiming his wicket for the fourth time in six innings despite Kohli’s efforts to adjust his technique.

Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja fought back with a gritty 48-run partnership for the fifth wicket off 25 overs, but Boland struck again. He first removed Pant, who sliced a pull to mid-on, and then dismissed Nitish Kumar Reddy for a duck with the very next ball, caught at second slip. While Boland missed out on a hat-trick, he continued to exploit the pitch’s seam movement, troubling India with both the new and old ball. His brilliance left India reeling, reinforcing Australia’s dominance on a challenging Sydney surface.

Aussie Bowlers Rule as Pant and Jadeja Fight a Losing Battle

Rishabh Pant played an unusually restrained knock, scoring 40 off 98 balls, in stark contrast to his aggressive approach at the MCG, where his risky first-innings scoop had drawn sharp criticism. Adjusting his style, Pant relied on a more defensive approach but briefly returned to his attacking instincts by stepping out to launch debutant Beau Webster for a six over the sightscreen—only India’s sixth boundary in 46 overs. Pant’s measured innings reflected the relentless pressure applied by Australia’s varied bowling attack. Webster, who made the switch from off-spin to medium pace during the pandemic, delivered a tidy spell of 13-4-29-0 and impressed with his sharp slip catching.

Australia’s leading bowlers, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, dismantled India’s lower order with precision. Starc, battling back issues, bowled at speeds of 147 kph and exploited the uneven Sydney pitch to trouble Pant with body and helmet blows before dismissing him. Ravindra Jadeja’s resilient 26 off 95 balls came to an end when Starc trapped him lbw. Cummins wrapped up the innings soon after, as India folded for a modest 185, undone by the depth and skill of Australia’s attack.

India’s captain, Jasprit Bumrah, provided some late entertainment, smashing 22 off 17 balls with his trademark flair. However, his true impact came with the ball, claiming Usman Khawaja’s wicket on the final delivery of the day. The dismissal capped off a fiery finish, as Bumrah celebrated animatedly in front of non-striker Sam Konstas following a heated exchange moments earlier. The on-field umpires had to step in to prevent the situation from escalating.

With Bumrah’s spirited display and the promise of more fiery exchanges, day two at the SCG sets the stage for an intriguing continuation of this gripping Test match.

Read More: Bumrah Departs Midway Through Day Two, Expected to Undergo Scans