India Claim First-Innings Lead Despite Jasprit Bumrah’s Injury at the SCG

India showed incredible resilience on Day Two of the fifth Test against Australia, shrugging off the loss of captain Jasprit Bumrah to injury to secure a slender first-innings lead. At stumps, India were 141 for six, leading by 145 runs, in a Test match that has swung wildly in both directions.

Bumrah, who dismissed Marnus Labuschagne early in the day to take his series tally to an astonishing 32 wickets, suffered back spasms and left the field just after lunch. Despite the setback, India’s bowlers stepped up, dismissing Australia for 181, thanks to stellar performances from Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Bumrah’s Early Blow Before Injury Exit

India started the day brightly, with Bumrah striking in the morning session to dismiss Labuschagne. However, the skipper’s departure for medical scans following a back spasm left a void in India’s attack.

Prasidh Krishna, who finished with figures of 3-42, and Siraj (3-51) rose to the occasion, with Nitish Kumar Reddy chipping in to ensure Australia could only manage a four-run lead at Tea.

Pant’s Fireworks and Boland’s Brilliance

Australia’s bowlers, led by Scott Boland (4-42), came out firing in the final session, dismantling India’s top and middle order.

However, Rishabh Pant stole the show with an audacious 28-ball half-century, lighting up the Sydney Cricket Ground with extraordinary shot-making. His 61 off 33 balls gave India a fighting chance before he was dismissed by Pat Cummins in the final hour.

Boland, who has become a cult hero for Australian fans, further dented India’s hopes by removing Nitish Kumar Reddy before stumps. Ravindra Jadeja (8*) and Washington Sundar (6*) were left to resume the battle on Day Three.

Webster and Boland Shine for Australia

For Australia, debutant Beau Webster played a key role, scoring a gritty 57—the highest score in their innings—and later claiming his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Shubman Gill.

Boland continued to impress with a peach of a delivery that uprooted Yashasvi Jaiswal’s off stump, leaving the SCG crowd roaring.

Key Turning Points

• Bumrah’s Injury: A huge blow for India, but the bowlers rallied to fill the void.
• Pant’s Knock: A counter-attacking half-century that gave India breathing room.
• Boland’s Spell: His 4-42 kept Australia in the hunt, leaving the match finely balanced.
  
  

  Post-Match Reactions

  India’s stand-in captain Virat Kohli, filling in after Bumrah’s injury, faced a tough day, managing only six runs before being dismissed by Boland. Prasidh Krishna remained optimistic about the team’s chances, saying:

  "We’ll try to get as many runs as possible. The wicket is unpredictable, and every run counts."

  Australia coach Andrew McDonald emphasized his team’s plan for Day Three:

  "First, we need to take those four remaining wickets quickly and keep the target manageable. There’s still a long way to go."
  
  

  What’s at Stake?

  India needs to win the match to square the series at 2-2 and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. For Australia, a victory would not only seal the series but also secure their spot in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June.
  
  

  Key Match Highlights

  • India’s First-Innings Lead: A slender four runs after bowling out Australia for 181.
  • Rishabh Pant’s Heroics: A 28-ball half-century to stabilize India’s innings.
  • Bumrah’s Injury: The skipper’s departure puts pressure on the team for the rest of the match.
  • Scott Boland’s Spell: 4-42 to give Australia a fighting chance.