[Watch] Pat Cummins ends Rishabh Pant’s breathtaking 33-ball 61-run knock in BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Australian captain Pat Cummins did the job for his side by getting the crucial wicket of Rishabh Pant on Day 2 of the fifth and final Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). It was also the first wicket of the innings for the right-arm speedster as the hosts broke a threatening partnership.

The dismissal occurred after the final drinks of Day 2 as Cummins brought himself into the attack due to Pant taking Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster, and Scott Boland apart. The 31-year-old bowled a wide delivery and Pant threw his hands at it only to edge to Alex Carey, causing the southpaw to depart for 61 off only 33 deliveries, laced with six fours and four maximums.

The 27-year-old, who walked in after Virat Kohli departed for another single-figure score in the series, greeted Boland with a first-ball six and hit Mitchell Starc for two consecutive sixes to reach his fifty. Pant also struck three successive boundaries off debutant Beau Webster's bowling.

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Rishabh Pant's whirlwind innings could prove to be match-winning for India

Rishabh Pant. (Image Credits: Getty)

The southpaw's blazing knock could be the decisive factor for India, with Australia set to bat last on the tricky surface in Sydney. After Australia conceded a slender four-run lead, Yashasvi Jaiswal rocked the hosts by slamming three boundaries in the first over sent down by left-arm speedster Mitchell Starc.

Nevertheless, Scott Boland, who has picked up four wickets in the second innings so far, sent the openers Jaiswal and KL Rahul packing. The 35-year-old dismissed Virat Kohli and Nitish Kumar Reddy as well, while Beau Webster got the better of Shubman Gill for his maiden Test scalp.

With Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar at the crease, India hold a 145-run lead but only have four more wickets remaining.