Pant lights fuse as India lead by 145 in 'hell of a Test'

An explosive Rishabh Pant slammed the second-fastest Indian Test half-century Saturday to drive the visitors to a 145-run lead with four wickets left after an intense day two of the decisive fifth Test against Australia.

- Agencies

SYDNEY:

At the close in Sydney, India were 141-6 with Ravindra Jadeja on eight and Washington Sundar six after they dismissed Australia for 181 in reply to their first-innings 185.

Australia lead the series 2-1 with India needing to win at the Sydney Cricket Ground to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Pant signalled his intent by plundering a six on his first ball and reached 50 after just 29 deliveries with another big shot that cleared the ropes.

Only his 28-ball half-century against Sri Lanka in 2022 was faster for India.

He was finally dismissed for 61 off 33 by Pat Cummins, but Scott Boland was India's main tormentor, taking 4-42.

Pant's exploits set up an exciting finale, amid doubts over whether skipper Jasprit Bumrah will take any further part.

He left the field after bowling one over following lunch and was driven from the SCG, likely for hospital scans. Bumrah was seen returning before stumps.

In his absence, Prasidh Krishna (3-42), Mohammed Siraj (3-51) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (2-32) stepped up to fill the void and dismiss Australia after they resumed on 9-1.