Cricket news

Pant’s brilliance and Boland’s resistance : Can India’s 145-run advantage stand strong against Australia?

Published

2 years ago

January 4, 2025

In a day of fast-paced action, where 314 runs were scored and 15 wickets fell, India finished the day with a 145-run lead in the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Despite the sizeable advantage, the match remains evenly poised, as Scott Boland’s fiery spell reduced India to their last recognised batting pair. Meanwhile, India’s lead may seem smaller with the growing concern over Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness after he was absent for the second session due to a suspected injury. While the exact nature of the injury remains unclear, Bumrah’s absence added pressure, but India still managed to scrape through to a four-run first innings lead in his absence.

The day began with India looking confident, with Yashasvi Jaiswal launching a spirited attack, scoring four boundaries off Mitchell Starc’s first over. However, their aggressive start was cut short by Boland, who dismissed KL Rahul and Jaiswal in quick succession. Boland, alongside the pitch’s seam movement, wreaked havoc, further dismissing Virat Kohli, who once again fell to an edge caught at slip.

India’s resistance came from Rishabh Pant, who counter-attacked right from the word go. Pant, showing an aggressive approach, launched into Boland with a stunning drive down the track for a boundary. Despite the fall of Shubman Gill, who was dismissed by debutant Beau Webster, Pant remained a standout performer. His quick-fire half-century came off just 29 balls, the second fastest in India’s Test history. Pant’s attacking strokes against Boland, Starc, and Webster helped India maintain momentum, with a 44-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja.

However, Pant’s charge was halted after the final drinks break of the day. Pat Cummins, maintaining his control, sent Pant back to the pavilion as he edged one to the keeper. This marked the fourth time in the series that Cummins had gotten the better of Pant. With Pant’s departure, the scoring rate slowed significantly as India struggled to break free from Australia’s tight bowling. Nitish Reddy, trying to break the pressure, was dismissed by Boland, and India’s hopes of extending the lead further seemed to falter.

Earlier in the day, India’s pace attack had put Australia under pressure, dismissing them for just 181 in their first innings, securing a narrow four-run lead. Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj had initially troubled the Australian batsmen, with Bumrah dismissing Marnus Labuschagne early. However, Australia’s recovery came through Steve Smith, who, alongside Beau Webster, began to steady the ship with a 57-run partnership. Despite Smith’s valiant efforts, India continued to make breakthroughs, with Prasidh Krishna dismissing Smith just before he could add another milestone to his career.

With Australia at 39/4 early in the second session, India seemed to be in control. However, the middle-order resistance from Webster and Smith kept the game on a knife-edge. As the conditions improved and the pitch eased out a little, Australia managed to recover, only for India to strike again. Prasidh Krishna dismissed Smith for 33, sending Australia into the break with a much-needed jolt.

At stumps, India were 141/6, with Pant’s aggressive knock the highlight of the day. Despite a strong showing by Boland, who claimed 4 wickets for 42 runs, India’s lead remained intact at 145 runs.

As the match progresses, the outcome remains uncertain, with Australia still holding hope for a counter-attack on Day Three.

Brief Scores:
India 185 and 141/6 (Rishabh Pant 61; Scott Boland 4-42) lead Australia 181 (Beau Webster 57, Steve Smith 33; Prasidh Krishna 3-42) by 145 runs

Related Topics:Cricket India vs Australia Rishabh Pant SCG Test Scott Boland

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Abhishek Sharma smashes 113 off 38 balls as India beat New Zealand in 3rd ODI

Abhishek Sharma hammered 113 off just 38 balls as India chased down New Zealand’s 199-run target in 13.2 overs, winning the third T20I by six wickets.

Published

1 week ago

October 27, 2026

APNLive Desk

Abhishek Sharma delivered a stunning batting performance in the third T20 International against New Zealand in Wellington, smashing 113 off just 38 balls to power India’s chase of 199. India reached the target in 13.2 overs, winning the match by six wickets.

The Indian opener’s explosive innings proved decisive as India chased down New Zealand’s total of 198/3. His aggressive approach put the hosts under pressure and helped India complete the chase with plenty of overs to spare.

Abhishek Sharma leads India’s chase

Abhishek’s 113-run knock off 38 deliveries was the standout performance of the contest. His innings provided India with the momentum needed to pursue the 199-run target at a rapid pace.

The century also made Abhishek the central figure of the third T20I, with his power-hitting dominating the contest. India’s successful chase underlined the impact of his innings in a match where New Zealand had posted a substantial total.

India chase down 199 against New Zealand

New Zealand scored 198/3 in their innings, setting India a target of 199. However, India’s batters responded with an aggressive chase, reaching the target in just 13.2 overs.

The six-wicket victory gave India an important result in the five-match T20I series. Abhishek’s century was the defining contribution of the match, ensuring that the visitors completed the chase comfortably.

Abhishek Sharma’s innings takes the spotlight

Abhishek’s quickfire century was the major talking point from the Wellington encounter. Scoring 113 runs from only 38 balls, he combined scoring speed with the ability to keep India’s chase firmly on track.

His performance will be among the key highlights of the third T20I as India continue their campaign against New Zealand.

Cricket news

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win Asian Games cricket gold

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final to retain the gold medal in the competition.

Published

1 month ago

October 3, 2026

APNLive Desk

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday to retain the gold medal.

India posted 211 for six after being sent in to bat, before restricting Pakistan to 192 for six in their 20 overs. The victory gave India their second successive Asian Games gold medal in men’s cricket.

India post 211 in final

India’s batting was led by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma contributed 51 off 22 balls.

The two batters provided the momentum as India reached 211 for six from their 20 overs.

India captain Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and elected to bat first in the final.

Pakistan fall 19 runs short

Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Hasan Nawaz, who made 96 from 51 balls. Saim Ayub added 29 from 22 balls, but Pakistan finished on 192 for six after 20 overs.

India’s Axar Patel and Washington Sundar each took two wickets as Pakistan fell short of the target.

The result secured the gold medal for India, while Pakistan finished with silver. Sri Lanka won the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match.

India retain Asian Games cricket title

The victory marked India’s second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. India had also won the men’s cricket gold at the Hangzhou edition.

India’s victory over Pakistan also completed a gold-medal double for the country in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games, after the women’s team won the women’s cricket final earlier in the competition.

Cricket news

Jasprit Bumrah becomes first Indian to play T20Is in 13 countries

Jasprit Bumrah became the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries after featuring against Sri Lanka in Japan.

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2026

APNLive Desk

Jasprit Bumrah added another milestone to his international career on Thursday after taking the field for India against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket semifinal in Japan.

Bumrah’s appearance at Nishin made him the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries, according to the report. He moved ahead of former India captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have each played T20Is in 12 countries.

Bumrah’s 13-country T20I record

Before playing in Japan, Bumrah had represented India in T20Is in 12 other countries — India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the United States, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

His appearance in Japan took the tally to 13. Kohli, Rohit and Bhuvneshwar had played in all of those countries except Japan, leaving Bumrah alone at the top of the list.

Kohli and Rohit cannot add to their totals as both have retired from T20I cricket, according to the source.

Bumrah shines against Sri Lanka

Bumrah also made an immediate impact in his first T20I appearance in Japan. He claimed two wickets in his opening over against Sri Lanka and finished with figures of 2/7 in two overs.

India went on to dismiss Sri Lanka for 45 in 9.5 overs and won the semifinal by 124 runs to book a place in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final.

The result set up an India-Pakistan gold-medal clash, scheduled for October 3.

Jasprit Bumrah has become the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries. His appearance against Sri Lanka in Japan took him past Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have played T20Is in 12 countries each.