Team India's battle against the new ball continues in Sydney as the likes of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal fail prematurely as pacers. India looked to have put things right when Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill started to form a partnership, but the latter departed on the final delivery of the first session, with Nathan Lyon emerging as his wicket-taker. Gill looked solid and decisive with his strokeplay until that delivery from Lyon, but slip fielder Steve Smith also deserves credit for troubling the India star.
A video has emerged on social media showing Smith trying to get under Gill's skin with his constant chatter while standing in briefs. Smith succeeded with his tow attempt when Gill pushed a delivery straight into his hands just before lunch.
— forge (@stevesmith50) January 3, 2025
After Gill's dismissal, Kohli also returned to the pavilion soon after the resumption of play in the second session. Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant took multiple knocks to see out a full session, but Kohli's seemingly incurable problems off stump worsened India's struggles, leaving them at 107 for 4 at tea. Pant (32 innings, 80 balls) put his head down once as he set up Beau Webster for a straight six. He suffered nasty blows to his biceps, helmet and twice in the sensitive abdominal area.
Ravindra Jadeja (11 dismissed 50 balls) defended sternly and added 35 runs for the fifth wicket with Pant. Only 50 runs were scored after 25 overs in the second session.
Despite regular skipper Rohit Sharma opting to “rest” due to his poor form, India's top brass were once again flattered to deceive.
Although Kohli (17 off 69 balls) could have been dismissed on Scott Boland's very first delivery, the seamer had the last laugh during the post-lunch session when the batsman poked a delivery onto the off-stump channel for the zillionth. time to get into the slip cordon.
If one takes away the second innings hundred in Perth from his last 20 Test innings, Kohli has averaged 17.57.
As far as Pant is concerned, the 'honest talks' with head coach Gautam Gambhir appear to have worked with southpaw respect for the game situation, except on one occasion when he tried to force a Pat Cummins delivery without much effect.
But debutant Webster's six and Nathan Lyon's cut-back boundary just before tea (1/13 in 4 overs) would give him confidence despite the “blood tattoo” made on his left bicep by Boland, the best Australian bowler to come. was to see.
Pant was disciplined but Shubman Gill's indiscreet judgment on the last delivery before lunch caused problems for India.
Gill (20 off 64 balls) did all the hard work for almost a couple of hours before stepping to Nathan Lyon on the last ball of the session but being caught at first slip.
KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, back as the opening pair, were dismissed within the first hour of play after Jasprit Bumrah opted to bat in cloudy conditions.
With PTI inputs
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