[Watch] Nitish Kumar Reddy strikes twice as Virat Kohli and KL Rahul take stunning catches in BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Nitish Kumar Reddy struck twice to dismiss Australia skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc on Day 2 of the fifth Test in Sydney on Saturday, January 4. The medium pacer sent Cummins and Starc packing for 10 and one run, respectively.

The first dismissal came in the 45th over of Australia’s first innings. Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled short a length ball outside off and Cummins tried to push at it but ended up with an outside edge. Kohli moved to his left to take a brilliant catch with both hands just below the chest height in the first slip.

Cummins could’ve proved dangerous with the bat, scoring in the 40s during both innings of the fourth Test in Melbourne, where the Aussies won by 184 runs to go 2-1 ahead in the five-game series.

In the second instance, KL Rahul also took a sharp catch in the 47th over. Reddy bowled a short ball around the wicket and Starc ended up with a thick outside edge and Rahul lunged forward to catch it inches above the ground. The TV umpire concluded the fingers were underneath the ball.

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Nitish Kumar Reddy steps up with the ball in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence

After his maiden century in Melbourne, Nitish Kumar Reddy stepped up the will ball in skipper Jasprit Bumrah's absence. The pacer left the field amid injury concerns on Day 2. His double strike ensured India stayed on top of Australia in the first innings.

Australia were bundled out for 181, trailing by four runs in the first innings. Debutant Beau Webster starred with the bat, scoring 57 off 105.

Apart from Reddy, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj bagged three wickets apiece. Jasprit Bumrah scalped two wickets.

Batting first, the tourists were bundled out for 185, courtesy of a four-wicket haul from Scott Boland. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins also bagged three and two wickets, respectively. Rishabh Pant top scored with 40 (98), while Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with their 20s.

The Aussies are leading the five-game series 2-1 after an 184-run win in the Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne. They also won the pink-ball Test by 10 wickets. Meanwhile, India have looked clueless in the last three Tests following their 295-run victory in the series opener in Perth.

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