India on an even keel on juicy pitch

Prasidh, Siraj stand up and deliver in Bumrah’s absence.

Sydney: With 15 wickets falling in a riveting battle of attrition between bat and ball, the packed Sydney Cricket Ground witnessed a dramatic second day of the New Year's Test. On a pitch that offered abundant assistance to the pacers, fortunes swung wildly, leaving the match poised on a razor's edge and for a potential third-day finish.

Australia, overnight 9/1, were bundled out for 181 as India’s pacers delivered a clinical performance. However, the Australian bowlers fought back with equal tenacity, reducing India to 141/6 by stumps in their second innings. Ravindra Jadeja (8 n.o.) and Washington Sundar (4 n.o.) held the fort as India ended the day with an overall lead of 145 runs.

With doubts over Jasprit Bumrah's availability for the third day, India may need as many runs as possible on the board and Jadeja-Washington duo, India’s last recognised batting pair, hold the key to that.

India owed their current position largely to the enterprise of Rishabh Pant, who presented his original facet of his game. On a pitch where survival became a difficult proposition, he took the attack to Australians carting their attack all over the ground. His strategy paid off richly as the southpaw belted 61 in just 33 balls (6x4, 4x6) before perishing.

Virat Kohli's last Test innings on the Australian side ended on another whimper. As he trudged back to the pavilion, the jeers turned into claps and a standing ovation from the members' stands.

India wasn't hampered by the absence of their stand-in skipper Bumrah (2/33), who left the field after bowling just one over post-lunch due to a suspected back spasm. While scans are awaited, Bumrah’s unavailability remains a significant concern for India as they aim to bowl Australia out and level the series.

The day began with high drama, set in motion during the final over of the first day. Australian teenager Sam Konstas engaged in verbal gamesmanship with Bumrah, questioning his wicket-taking ability. Bumrah responded by dismissing Usman Khawaja on the very next ball. This exchange not only charged up the Indian team but set the tone for a fiery bowling display on Saturday.

Konstas survived Bumrah’s fire in the morning but didn’t last long, falling to Mohammed Siraj, who claimed two wickets in quick succession to leave Australia reeling at 37/4. Marnus Labuschagne was undone by Bumrah’s brilliance before Siraj’s fiery burst accounted for both Konstas and Travis Head.

With Bumrah off the field, the onus shifted to the rest of the Indian attack. Prasidh Krishna (3/42) rose to the occasion, making an immediate impact by surprising Steve Smith with his very first delivery -- a climber that had him hopping. Despite some early inconsistency, Prasidh broke a crucial 57-run partnership between Smith and debutant Beau Webster (57, 105b, 5x4) removing Smith just before lunch.

Webster continued to grow in confidence, partnering with Alex Carey for another vital stand. Prasidh, however, struck again with a gem of a delivery that breached Carey’s defences. His three-wicket haul, combined with Nitish Reddy’s late burst, ensured that India dismissed Australia for a mere 181, snatching a slender but psychologically significant four-run lead.

Nitish Reddy, who had leaked runs in his first spell, redeemed himself in spectacular fashion during the post-lunch session. He dismissed Australian skipper Pat Cummins with the last ball of his over and then removed Mitchell Starc with the first ball of his next over, narrowly missing a hat-trick. Reddy’s timely breakthroughs provided crucial support to Siraj and Prasidh in Bumrah’s absence.