BGT 2024 | Boland’s brilliance with the ball leaves Indian batting in tatters at SCG

Debayan Sinha

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

24
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India struggled on the opening day at Sydney and posted just 185 runs as Scott Boland's four-wicket haul destroyed their middle and lower order. Rishabh Pant's 40 off 98 balls anchored the innings, but without any substantial partnerships, India fell prey to Australia's fierce pace and bounce.

‌A packed Sydney Cricket Ground set the stage for the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with hosts taking on India. Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and chose to bat on a green-top wicket that immediately offered assistance to the Australian pacers. Openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal started cautiously but struggled against the seam-friendly conditions. The partnership was broken in the fifth over when Mitchell Starc dismissed Rahul, followed by Jaiswal's departure in the eighth over, leaving India at 17/2. However, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill stabilised the innings with a composed partnership, guiding the score to 42/2 by the 17th over. With Kohli and Gill growing in confidence, India seemed to be steadying the ship as the pair put together a crucial 40-run stand. However, disaster struck for India just before lunch when Nathan Lyon dismissed Gill, leaving India at 57/3 after 25 overs as they headed into the break.

 

After lunch, Rishabh Pant joined Virat Kohli at the crease, with India hoping to gain some momentum. However, in the 32nd over, Kohli's ongoing struggle with deliveries outside off stump continued as he was dismissed by Scott Boland. The Australian pacers quickly seized control, exploiting the extra bounce the pitch offered. Starc and Boland sent down a series of fiery bouncers, leaving Pant visibly uncomfortable. Despite the challenges, Pant and Ravindra Jadeja steadied the innings, guiding India to 95/4 after 47 overs. The pair added 35 runs, bringing the score to 107/4 at the 50-over mark, as tea was called. 

 

In the last session, Pant and Jadeja adopted a defensive strategy, pushing the score to 119/4. Just as the partnership seemed settled, Boland dismissed Pant and broke the stand. India’s troubles deepened when Boland removed Nitish Kumar Reddy, leaving the team struggling at 125/6 in 61 overs. The lower order faltered against the pitch’s unpredictable bounce, with Australia’s pacers maintaining their dominance and reducing India to 153/8 in 67 overs. Jasprit Bumrah's brisk 22 off 17 provided a late boost, taking India to 185 before they were bowled out in the 73rd over. In response, Australia tallied at 9/1 in three overs and trailing by 176 runs. 

Talk much

Absolute cinema!

Heated scenes!

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Massive moment!

We gotta see him tomo!

Yessss!

Rohit will bounce back hard!

Yeah!

True that!

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