India drop Rohit Sharma but batters struggle again in Australia

2 days ago 4

Australia gain the early advantage in Sydney in the World Test Championship deciding fifth Test against India.

Published On 3 Jan 2025

India dropped skipper Rohit Sharma but their batting woes continued as they were dismissed for 185 on the opening day of the crucial fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney.

Scott Boland led the way with four for 31 on Friday as Australia’s bowlers revelled in seam-friendly conditions to restrict India’s scoring and knock over wickets with a regularity that delighted a sellout crowd of 48,000.

Only the suspicion of what Jasprit Bumrah, the outstanding bowler of the series and Rohit’s replacement as captain, might do on the surface constrained the joy of home fans packed into the famous old ground.

They got a hint from the last ball of the three overs India managed to bowl before the close of play when Bumrah dismissed Usman Khawaja for two.

Teenager Sam Konstas, who had a brief altercation with Bumrah just before Khawaja’s departure, will resume on seven not out with Australia nine for one.

Jasprit Bumrah of India interacts with Sam Konstas of Australia during day one of the Fifth Men's Test Match in the series between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 03, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Australia lead the series 2-1 and will not only seal the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also a place in the World Test Championship final against South Africa with a victory in the finale.

“I thought all the bowlers were really good. To bowl them out for under 200 was an excellent day,” said Australia’s debutant all-rounder Beau Webster, who conceded it may not be the highest-scoring surface. “I’m not really sure what a good score is just yet, until both teams bat on it,” he added.

Boland precipitated the end of India’s laboured innings early in the final session when he had Rishabh Pant caught at mid-on for 40 and dismissed Melbourne centurion Nitish Kumar Reddy off consecutive balls.

Washington Sundar was beaten by Boland’s hat-trick ball without making contact with it but Ravindra Jadeja was soon trapped plumb in front by Mitchell Starc (3-49) for 26 to leave India reeling on 134-7.

Sundar was unfortunate to depart for 14 when a TV review detected a brush of his glove on a Pat Cummins delivery, while Bumrah wagged the tail with 22 runs from 17 balls before the Australia skipper had him caught at mid-wicket to end the innings.

Pant said he would have been happier with 40 or 50 more runs but felt that India’s score was not that far from par on a tricky wicket. “It’s still a very competitive score, because of the way ball is moving now,” he told reporters. “There’s lot of help for the bowler, and hopefully we can capitalise on that.”

Scott Boland of Australia runs past Jasprit Bumrah of India during day one of the Fifth Men's Test Match in the series between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 03, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

India could still retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a victory but looked on the back foot from the moment Bumrah won the toss and sent his team into bat.

Cummins said he would have done the same but the paceman was still licking his lips at the greenish tinge on the wicket – and the leaden skies above Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

The tourists had 11 runs on the board when Rahul departed for four and only six more when Jaiswal, on 10, was caught in the slips off Boland.

Boland thought he had Virat Kohli out for a golden duck off the next delivery but the roars of the crowd turned to jeers when it was ruled the ball had kissed the grass as Steve Smith flicked it up for Marnus Labuschagne to catch.

Cummins tossed the ball to Nathan Lyon for the last over before Lunch and the spinner removed Shubman Gill, Rohit’s batting replacement, for 20 with an edge into the busy slip cordon.

Kohli had scored 17 runs from 69 balls when he became Boland’s second victim with a stab at a delivery outside off which Webster collected with a fine diving catch in the slips.

Bumrah said at the toss that Rohit’s absence from the team was the 37-year-old’s own choice. “Our captain has shown leadership by opting to rest in this game,” he explained.