In Sydney, a stellar bowling display by the in-form Scott Boland restricted India to a modest total, despite resilient innings from Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja. However, a wicket taken by captain Jasprit Bumrah on the final ball of the day's play provided India with a glimmer of hope in the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday.
Australia concluded the session at 9/1, with Sam Konstas remaining unbeaten on 7.
India began the last session at 107/4, with Rishabh Pant (32*) and Ravindra Jadeja (11*) at the crease.
India's difficulties against Scott Boland persisted, as a well-executed delivery led to Pant misplaying a shot, resulting in a catch to captain Pat Cummins at midwicket. Pant was dismissed for 40 off 98 balls, which included three fours and a six, leaving India at 120/5 in 56.4 overs.
Boland was on the verge of a hat-trick when he claimed the crucial wicket of the in-form Nitish Kumar Reddy for a duck, caught by Steve Smith in the slips. This left India at 120/6.
Jadeja's determined innings of 26 off 95 balls, featuring three fours, came to an end when Mitchell Starc trapped him leg-before-wicket, reducing India to 134/7 in 62.4 overs.
In a contentious decision, Washington Sundar was dismissed for just 14 off 30 balls after being caught behind by Alex Carey while attempting a pull shot off Cummins. There were questions regarding whether the ball had touched his bat or gloves, but he was ruled out, leaving India at 148/8 in 66 overs.
Prasidh Krishna was the next player to be dismissed, caught by Sam Konstas at deep backward square leg off a delivery from Starc, contributing only three runs to the total. At this point, India found themselves at 168/9 after 68.2 overs.
Bumrah's resilient innings of 22 runs off 17 balls, which included two fours and a six, came to an end when he was caught by Starc at midwicket off Cummins' bowling. Consequently, India was all out for 185 in 72.2 overs.
Boland was the standout bowler for Australia, claiming 4 wickets for 31 runs, proving to be a significant challenge for the Indian batsmen. Starc finished with figures of 3/49, while Cummins took 2/37.
For Australia, openers Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas took to the field. However, on the final ball of the session, Khawaja was dismissed by Bumrah for just two runs, with KL Rahul taking the catch at slips. This left Australia in a difficult position, with India gaining momentum.
At the Tea break, India was positioned at 107/4, with Rishabh Pant (32*) and Ravindra Jadeja (11*) remaining not out.
India began the second session at 57/3, with Virat Kohli (12*) still at the crease, aiming to establish a partnership with Rishabh Pant, who had come in to replace Gill after the lunch break.
While the Australian bowlers maintained a disciplined approach, the Indian batsmen appeared unsettled at the crease.
A key highlight from the second session was Pant's aggressive batting style, which he continued to showcase during the Sydney Test. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter endured three significant blows from the Australian pacers, as the bowling attack relentlessly targeted him with bouncers.
India surpassed the 100-run milestone in the 48th over, largely thanks to the partnership between Jadeja and Pant, who contributed a vital 35-run stand off 111 balls.
During the second session, India added 50 runs to their total, while the Australian bowlers managed to claim only one wicket.
In the 32nd over, Scott Boland dismissed Virat Kohli for 17 runs. Kohli's performance is likely to be a significant topic of discussion following the conclusion of this prestigious series, as he was dismissed in a similar fashion after edging an outside-off delivery.
Earlier in the day, India won the toss and opted to bat first against Australia in Sydney, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opening the innings for the visitors.
Unfortunately, the Indian openers were unable to establish a strong partnership.
In the fifth over, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc struck first, sending KL Rahul back to the pavilion for a mere four runs.
Shortly thereafter, Yashasvi Jaiswal fell to Scott Boland, who dismissed him for 10 runs in the eighth over.
Just before the first session concluded, Nathan Lyon secured a key wicket by removing Shubman Gill for 20 runs.
Brief Scores: India: 185 (Rishabh Pant 40, Ravindra Jadeja 26, Scott Boland 4/31) vs Australia: 9/1.
