India’s pace attack delivered a spirited performance on Day 2 of the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah scalped two wickets each to leave Australia reeling at 101/5 by the lunch break. The visitors, who were dismissed for a modest 185 on Day 1, have clawed their way back into the contest, though the hosts still trail by 84 runs.
The morning session brought high drama. Prasidh Krishna, playing his first match of the series, struck gold with the key wicket of Steven Smith, trapping the Australian maestro leg-before for a gritty 24. Smith’s dismissal was a body blow for Australia, who began the day cautiously but lost wickets at regular intervals.
Siraj, relentless in his line and length, accounted for Sam Konstas, the teenager who had a fiery exchange with Bumrah late on Day 1. Konstas’s attempt to take on the bowlers proved costly as he fell to a well-directed delivery from Siraj, nicking it to the slip cordon. Earlier, Siraj had also removed nightwatchman Scott Boland with a sharp in-swinger that uprooted the middle stump.
Jasprit Bumrah, as ever, was the spearhead of India’s attack. With unerring accuracy and hostility, he sent both Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne packing. Khawaja’s edge to KL Rahul at slip was a moment of inspiration, igniting India’s intensity. Labuschagne, meanwhile, fell victim to a lethal Bumrah yorker, a delivery that left the batter stunned.
At lunch, Alex Carey and Beau Webster stood unbeaten, with Carey steadying the ship at 22* and Webster hanging on grimly at 5*. With the ball swinging and gripping off the pitch, the Indian bowlers will look to capitalize in the post-lunch session.
The contest remains evenly poised, but the momentum appears to be shifting in India’s favor. Can the visitors press on to dismantle Australia’s lower order, or will the hosts fight back to take control? The second session promises to be another thrilling chapter in what has been an enthralling series.