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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Cricket news

Asian Games 2026: India win first gold as women’s cricket team beats Sri Lanka

India won its first gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 after the women’s cricket team defeated Sri Lanka in the T20I final, taking the country’s medal tally to seven.

Published

3 days ago

September 22, 2026

APNLive Desk

India opened its gold medal account at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya after the women’s cricket team defeated Sri Lanka in the T20I final on Tuesday.

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side produced a dominant performance to win the final and claim India’s first gold medal of the Games. India set Sri Lanka a target of 217 runs before bowling them out for 69.

The victory took India’s medal tally to seven, adding a gold to the six medals secured during the opening days of the competition.

India assure another medal in badminton

India also secured another medal opportunity in men’s team badminton after defeating hosts Japan 3-0 in the quarter-final.

Ayush Shetty completed the victory by beating Japan’s Koki Watanabe 21-10, 21-19, sending India into the semifinals and assuring the country of at least a medal in the event.

Earlier, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated Japan’s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi to give India a 2-0 lead in the tie.

Roshibina Devi assures India another medal

India also secured a medal in wushu after Roshibina Devi reached the women’s 60kg semi-finals.

Roshibina defeated Macao’s Man Sin Chu by point difference to book her place in the last four.

However, India’s Aryan was knocked out in the men’s 56kg quarter-final after losing to Uzbekistan’s Saydullo Abdurashitov.

India miss shooting medal

India’s Elavenil Valarivan and Parth Mane finished fourth in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team final after earlier qualifying second for the gold medal match.

The pair therefore missed out on a podium finish in the event.

More results from Day 3

Indian boxer Jadumani Singh advanced to the men’s 55kg Round of 16 after defeating Nepal’s Chandra Bahadur Thapa 5-0.

In artistic gymnastics, Pranati Nayak qualified for the women’s vault final with a score of 12.916.

India’s women’s badminton team, meanwhile, exited the competition after losing 1-3 to hosts Japan in the quarter-finals.

Cricket news

Zaheer Khan named CSK head coach ahead of IPL 2027

Chennai Super Kings have appointed former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan as their new head coach ahead of IPL 2027, replacing Stephen Fleming.

Published

4 days ago

September 21, 2026

APNLive Desk

Chennai Super Kings have appointed former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan as their new head coach ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League season. The five-time IPL champions announced the appointment on Monday, with Zaheer taking over from long-serving coach Stephen Fleming.

Fleming stepped down from his CSK role in July and subsequently took charge as head coach of the England men’s Test team. Zaheer’s appointment marks his first stint as a head coach at any level.

CSK announced the move on social media with the message welcoming Zaheer as the team’s new head coach.

Zaheer Khan’s coaching experience

Zaheer has previously held senior coaching and mentoring roles in the IPL. He served as Mumbai Indians’ Director of Cricket from 2018 to 2022 before taking up a mentoring role with Lucknow Super Giants from August 2024 to September 2025.

He was also initially named India’s bowling coach in 2017 after Anil Kumble became head coach. Following Ravi Shastri’s appointment later that year, Zaheer’s role was changed to bowling consultant.

As a player, Zaheer represented India in 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is. He was India’s leading wicket-taker in the 2011 ODI World Cup, taking 21 wickets during the tournament.

Stephen Fleming’s CSK exit

Fleming had two coaching stints with Chennai Super Kings, from 2009 to 2015 and again from 2018 to 2026. He left the franchise in July this year to become England’s men’s Test coach, succeeding former New Zealand teammate Brendon McCullum.

Zaheer will now oversee CSK as the franchise prepares for IPL 2027. The appointment brings an Indian former international cricketer into the team’s head coaching role following Fleming’s departure.

Cricket news

Abhishek Sharma smashes fastest T20I century by Indian in India vs Afghanistan 3rd T20I

Abhishek Sharma smashed a 30-ball century against Afghanistan in the third T20I, breaking Rohit Sharma’s record for the fastest T20I hundred by an Indian batter.

Published

1 week ago

September 17, 2026

APNLive Desk

Abhishek Sharma produced a record-breaking batting performance for India against Afghanistan in the third T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. The left-handed opener smashed a century in just 30 balls, becoming the fastest Indian batter to score a hundred in men’s T20 Internationals.

Abhishek eventually made 108 off 34 balls, with nine fours and 11 sixes. His century came in the ninth over of India’s innings and surpassed the previous Indian record of 35 balls, held by Rohit Sharma.

Abhishek Sharma century breaks Rohit Sharma’s record

Abhishek brought up his hundred from 30 balls, breaking Rohit Sharma’s previous record of a 35-ball T20I century against Sri Lanka in Indore in 2017.

The milestone also placed Abhishek third overall on the list of fastest T20I centuries. The two faster centuries in men’s T20I cricket belong to Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, who scored a 27-ball century, and Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad, who reached his hundred in 29 balls.

Among batters from Full Member nations, Abhishek’s 30-ball century moved him to the top of the list. The previous mark was 33 balls, achieved by Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and New Zealand’s Finn Allen.

Abhishek Sharma dominates the powerplay

Abhishek’s attack began from the opening overs. He reached his half-century in only 16 balls before accelerating further.

During the first six overs, Abhishek scored 76 runs from 22 balls while remaining unbeaten at the end of the Powerplay. That became the highest individual score by a batter in the first six overs of a men’s T20I, according to NDTV and ICC.

India also reached 100 without losing a wicket during the Powerplay, with Abhishek and Sanju Samson combining to take India to 100 without loss at the end of the first six overs.

Abhishek dismissed for 108

Abhishek’s record-breaking innings ended at 108 when Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan dismissed him just before the halfway stage of India’s innings.

His final score came from 34 deliveries and included nine fours and 11 sixes, giving him a strike rate of more than 300.

Sanju Samson also contributed to India’s fast start before continuing his innings after Abhishek’s dismissal. The opening pair had put India in a strong position during the early overs.

India’s series position

India entered the third T20I with an unassailable 2-0 lead after winning both of the first two matches against Afghanistan by seven wickets.

Abhishek had already made 82 in the opening match and 39 in the second T20I before producing his record century in the final game.

The third match is being played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, with Afghanistan winning the toss and choosing to field.

What record did Abhishek Sharma break?

Abhishek Sharma broke Rohit Sharma’s record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian batter. Rohit had scored his century in 35 balls against Sri Lanka in 2017, while Abhishek reached the landmark in 30 deliveries against Afghanistan.