India is enduring a tough start in the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Opting to bat first, the visitors were immediately under pressure as Australia’s bowlers seized control early in the innings.
Mitchell Starc set the tone, dismissing KL Rahul for just 4 runs. The trouble deepened when Scott Boland claimed Yashasvi Jaiswal as his first wicket of the day, further rattling the Indian top order. Boland continued to exploit the conditions effectively, troubling the Indian batsmen throughout the session.
Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli provided a brief period of resistance, attempting to stabilize the innings. However, Gill’s stay ended just before lunch, falling for 20 runs off 64 balls. Kohli followed soon after, dismissed for 17 runs by a sharp delivery from Boland, which Beau Webster safely caught at third slip.
Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja then tried to rebuild the innings, but Boland struck again. Pant, after a gritty 39 off 98 balls, mistimed a pull shot, and Pat Cummins completed the catch at mid-on. The partnership broke, leaving India’s hopes of recovery hanging by a thread.
Boland wasn’t finished yet. In the 57th over, he dismissed debutant Nitish Reddy for a golden duck. Reddy, who had been impressive earlier in the series, was undone by a back-of-a-length delivery that nipped away, leading to an easy catch for Steve Smith at second slip.
At 125 for 6 after 61 overs, India finds itself in deep trouble, with Australia firmly dominating proceedings.
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