BGT 2024 | Pant’s heroics shine briefly as Boland’s destruction puts Australia in command

Debayan Sinha

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

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India excelled with the ball as they bundled out Australia for 181 and secured a narrow four-run lead. In reply, the hosts faced an early setback, but the innings was steadied by Rishabh Pant’s brilliant display while Scott Boland impressed with a four-fer as India took a lead of 145 runs.

‌After a dramatic end to the first day, overnight batters Sam Konstas and Marnus Labuschagne walked out to bat on day two. The duo kept the scorecard ticking, bringing Australia to 15/1 in six overs. However, India began the day strongly when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Labuschagne in the seventh over. The momentum shifted further in India’s favor when Mohammed Siraj showed his class, claiming the wickets of Konstas and Travis Head in the 12th over. Despite the early setbacks, debutant Beau Webster looked solid alongside Steve Smith, putting together a 53-run stand that brought the score to 92/4 in 26 overs. Just before lunch, India regained control as Prasidh Krishna dismissed Smith for 33, leaving Australia at 101/5, trailing by 84 runs. 

After lunch, Webster continued to impress, forming a crucial partnership with Alex Carey, as Australia moved to 133/5 in 37 overs. However, India was dealt a blow when Bumrah left the field for scans, forcing Virat Kohli to step in as captain. The Indian pacers responded well, with Prasidh dismissing Carey in the 38th over. Webster reached his maiden half-century but was soon dismissed by Prasidh in the 48th over. Despite some resistance from the tail, Australia was bowled out for 181, with Siraj and Prasidh leading the charge, each taking three wickets as India ended with a narrow 4-run lead at Tea.  

India’s second innings started strongly post-tea with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul adopting an attacking approach, taking the score to 39/0 in seven overs. However, Scott Boland struck again, dismissing Rahul in the eighth over and Jaiswal in the 10th, before sending Kohli back with another outside-off delivery in the 14th over. The momentum shifted in India’s favor when Rishabh Pant unleashed a flurry of extraordinary shots, racing to a half-century in just 29 balls, but his fireworks ended when Cummins dismissed him in the 23rd over. At stumps, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja were at the crease with India at 141/6 and a lead of 145 runs.

Great batter!

Yes agreed with it!

True!

Hmm!

He changed it for a while!

Hahaha! LOL :D

Yes sheer carnage!

.......

He is genius!!

 

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