NEW DELHI: If the opening day of the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground was dramatic, Day 2 brought even more high-octane action. After bowling out India for a modest 185 on a grassy SCG pitch, Australia found themselves in trouble at the start of their first innings.
Jasprit Bumrah, who dismissed Usman Khawaja late on Day 1, struck again early on Day 2 by removing Marnus Labuschagne.
Mohammed Siraj then took center stage, producing a game-changing over that left Australia reeling.
Siraj’s first breakthrough came with a superb outswinger to Sam Konstas, who drove with hard hands and edged it to Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully, where a stunning catch was taken.
Siraj followed it up with another outswinger, this time slightly shorter, which induced a thick edge from Travis Head. The ball flew to KL Rahul at second slip, who made no mistake.
Siraj was visibly pumped after his two-wicket burst, with Virat Kohli joining the celebrations in trademark fashion—jumping and pumping his fists with enthusiasm.
Kohli then turned to the crowd, waving his arms to fire them up, adding to the electrifying atmosphere at the SCG.
Australia, leading 2-1, need a win or a draw to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade. India, on the other hand, must win to level the series 2-2 and retain the trophy as the holders.
India previously registered consecutive series wins in Australia, under Virat Kohli in 2018/19 and Ajinkya Rahane in 2020/21.
