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India endured a tough start to the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, folding for a modest 185 in their first innings on Day 1. Opting to bat first on a surface offering early assistance to bowlers, India’s batting lineup faltered against a clinical Australian pace attack led by Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc.
While Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja showcased a brief fightback, frequent dismissals left the visitors struggling to build momentum. By stumps, Australia had reached 9/1 in three overs, trailing by 176 runs, with Jasprit Bumrah striking a key blow by dismissing Usman Khawaja early.
Top-order failure hurts India: Flop show from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul
India’s decision to bat first appeared questionable as their top order collapsed under relentless pressure from the Australian pacers. KL Rahul fell in the fifth over to Starc for just 4, while Yashasvi Jaiswal followed soon after, edging Boland for 8. With India at 17/2 within eight overs, the onus was on Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli to stabilize the innings. Gill struggled to find fluency, managing 20 runs off 64 balls before falling to Nathan Lyon. Kohli, known for his patience, also failed to convert his cautious start, departing for 17 after being brilliantly caught by Beau Webster at gully off Boland. By lunch, India were 57/3, reeliꦐng under the impact of ⛄Australia’s disciplined and probing bowling.
Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja offer brief resistance
The second session saw Pant and Jadeja attempting to revive India’s innings with a fighting 48-run stand. Pant played with char𝐆acteristic aggression, counterattacking the bowlers with 40 runs off 98 deliveries, including a six over mid-wicket and three crisp boundaries. Jadeja, adopting a more cautious approach, contributed a resilient 26 off 95 balls, defying the Australian attack for much of the session.
However, Pant’s dismissal to Boland after tea triggered a collapse, leaving India vulnerable once again. Jadeja fell soon after, trapped lbw by Starc, and the lower order offered little resistance. Despite small contributions from Washington Sundar (14) and Jasprit Bumrah (22), India were bowled out for 185 in 72.2 overs, a total that fell well short of expectation꧙s꧃.
Australian pacers led by Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc dominate
Australia’s bowlers were exceptional, led by Boland’s brilliant spell of 4/31 in 20 overs. Boland used his accuracy and subtle movement to trouble the Indian batters consistently, dismissing key players like Kohli and Pant at crucial junctures. Starc was equally effective, claiming 3/49 with his pace and swing, dismantling the lower order with precise yorkers and short-pitched deliveries. Pat Cummins🎀 added two crucial scalps, while Lyon chipped in𒁃 with the vital wicket of Gill. The Australian attack maintained relentless pressure throughout the innings, capitalizing on India’s inability to build partnerships and keeping the run rate in check.
Also WATCH: Rishabh🐽 Pant sustains multiple body blows after being targeted by Australian bowlers on t🍎he Day 1 of the SCG Test
Australia begin steadily despite early loss of Usman Khawaja
Australia’s openers faced a tricky three-over spell before stumps, scoring 9 runs but losing the wicket of Khawaja for 2. Bumrah, leading India’s attack, delivered a sharp delivery that Khawaja gloved to second slip, giving India a much-needed breakthrough. Sam Konstas, making his Test debut, looked composed and remained unbeaten on 7, showing early promise with his solid technique. With Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith wꦇaiting in the wings, Australia w🔯ill aim to build a substantial first-innings lead on Day 2.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Scott Boland has no social media, no tattoos so he can donate blood easier, no fancy cars, lived in student accom while earning 120K a week, donates 1/4 of his wage꧒s to charity & bought a 2nd hand Mini Cooper from an old lady & has just saved a dogs life
What A Man.👏🏻
— Luke (@Marruso89)
Scott Boland is ev🌸en more dangerous than whom he replaced in these conditions!
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
꧂Absolute pity that Scott Boland could n𓂃ot debut in test cricket until he was nearly 33 years of age.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi)
Scott. Boland. 👏
— Sydney Cricket Ground (@scg)
If you’d told me 5 years ago Scott Boland would take 50 test wic💃kets at 1ꩲ8 i would’ve kindly contacted your family for a welfare check.
One of the all time Test cricket stories.
— Nat Martin (@NatMartin30)
Scott Bol🦄and is a relentl𓆏ess bowler, man. He has been the difference in this BGT, unlike the last two times. 😒
First Rishabh and now Nitish. I have no words. 💔
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha)
This series has been a great redemption arch for Mitchell Starc.
Bowling average of 30+ against India before this series and he has consistently produced wickets at every important moment despite not being fully fit.
The determination to win is there.— Abdullah (@abdullahhammad4)
Action packed day. This pitch is d🌟oing way too much.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
That’s the Tweet 💥
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath)
Day 1, Stumps
Australia: 9/1, trail by 176 runs 🏏
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
