Rishabh Pant’s stunning 61 helped give India a lead of 145 runs in the final Test against Australia after an enthralling second day that saw 15 wickets fall.
The wicketkeeper-batter’s innings comprised just 33 deliveries after Scott Boland had put the home side in the driving seat at the start of India’s second innings.
The Australia fast bowler took three quick wickets in an inspired spell after Australia had posted a first innings of 181.
Australia debutant Beau Webster top scored for the hosts with 57 as India took a first-innings lead of just four runs.
India captain Jasprit Bumrah walked off the field early in the afternoon session and left the ground to have an injury assessed, although he was seen returning before the close of play.
One of Boland’s victims was Virat Kohli as his final Test innings on Australian soil ended for six as the tourists finished the day on 141-6.
Pant’s arrival at the crease came moments after Kohli had been smartly caught by Steve Smith at slip and that significant moment was quickly followed by the explosive left-hander hitting Boland over the long on boundary for six.
He missed an attempted ramp shot completely two deliveries later but was not to be deterred and at one stage Australia captain Cummins had six fielders on the rope.
Mitchell Starc, taken for 16 by Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first over of the innings, was hit for two consecutive sixes as Pant reached a frantic 50 off only 29 deliveries, one slower than his own record set against Sri Lanka in 2022.
A swipe off Cummins through to Alex Carey brought the mayhem to an end, with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar piloting India to stumps after Nitish Kumar Reddy had holed out to Cummins at mid-off.
Smith dropped Jadeja to deny the impressive Webster a second wicket just before the close.
It remains to be seen whether Bumrah will bat on day three but feels more certain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy – which Australia lead 2-1 – will be decided with plenty of time to spare.
Scores:
India 185 (Rishab Pant 40, Scott Boland 4-31, Mitchell Starc 3-49) & 141-6 (Rishab Pant 61, Scott Boland 4-42)
Australia 181 (Beau Webster 57, Mohammed Siraj 3-51, Prasidh Krishna 3-42
