India vs Australia LIVE Score, 5th Test, Day 1: Rare Sign Of Aggression From Rishabh Pant; Ravindra Jadeja Survives DRS Call

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: That was so close!

Huge appeal for an LBW turned down by the umpire! Jadeja went for the flick but missed. It was probably sliding down the leg. Cummins decided not to go for the review

IND: 95/4 (47)

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: India near 100!

India’s scoring rate has just gone over 2 after that straight six from Pant. Beau Webster has bowled well so far. Just 8 runs from 10 overs from the debutant so far

IND: 95/4 (46)

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Pant goes over the keeper’s head!

Pant launches it over the bowler’s head for a straight six! Pant shows some intent. Not sure if Sunil Gavaskar would be proud of that stroke. The ground staff is now trying to retrieve the ball back

IND: 95/4 (45.3)

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: No luck for India!

You have got to praise this consistency from the Australia bowlers. Throughout the series, there bowlers have remained true to the plan. On the contrary, India’s bowling has been wayward in patches. Fine over by Cummins!

IND: 88/4 (45)

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Konstas keeps on giving!

The banter continues between Konstas and the crowd.

Scenes at the Sydney ground. pic.twitter.com/ob5upnjP7L

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 3, 2025

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Big session for India!

Considering how things have panned out, staying at crease and not scoring is same as hitting a four and getting out. Pant and Jadeja need to bat out this entire session, at least. Meanwhile, Pat Cummins gets himself back into the attack

IND: 87/4 (44)

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Slashed away for 4!

Pant chases it again, but this time he connects. This was slightly short from Starc and Pant cuts it behind point for four. Good shot!

IND: 86/2 (42.3)

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Pant misses the cut!

Pant slashes, but misses! Length ball outside off. A risky shot nonetheless. Pant needs to bat longer here.

IND: 82/4 (42.2)

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Shastri makes big prediction!

Ravi Shastri has predicted that Rohit Sharma might just end his Test career after Sydney Test.

“It still is a brave call for a captain to own up and say, ‘I’m prepared to take the bench in this game.’ If there was a home season coming up he might’ve thought of carrying on, but I think he might just pull the plug at the end of this Test. He’s not getting younger … it’s not that India don’t have youngsters. There are very, very good players in the wings and it’s time to build. Tough decisions, but there is a time for everything,” Shastri told Fox Sports.

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Falls just short!

Pant gets a thick edge off Webster, but the ball lands just short of Marnus at third slip. Big let off for Pant and India. 

IND: 81/4 (39.3)

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Australia behind the over rate!

Once again, Australia are far too behind on over rate. However, India have barely batted 80 overs in an innings for the penalty to kick in. Cummins might switch to Lyon soo in order to make up for the lost time. A couple of over from Travis Head might not be bad either

IND: 81/4 (39)

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: That was close!

Again, Jadeja gets beaten on the edge. Boland causing all sorts of trouble for India. Jadeja is lucky not to get any part of the bat on that delivery. Australia have been excellent in the slips

IND: 80/4 (37.3)

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Pant Hit On Helmet, Physio Arrives

Another blow to Rishabh Pant as Mitchell Starc’s bouncer hits Rishabh Pant on the helmet. Pant didn’t even try to play a shot. Concerned Australian players surround Pant as physio also arrives.

IND 76.4 (36.2 overs)

India vs Australia 5th Test Live: Rishabh Pant Getting Treatment

No Nitish Kumar Reddy yet for India as Ravindra Jadeja joins Rishabh Pant in the middle. The management seems to be keen on seeing two left-handers in the middle at present. Rishabh Pant hit in the middle, and is getting some treatment. Not too serious though.

India vs Australia 5th Test Live: Pant Looking To Change Gear

Rishabh Pant advances down the track against Pat Cummins and nearly loses his wicket. Steve Smith signals a ‘free hit’, seemingly mocking the India wicket-keeper batter. This is not the time to go ultra aggressive but Rishabh seems to have his own ideas.

IND 76/4 (33 overs)

IND vs AUS 5th Test Live: Same Old Dismissal For Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli GONE!!! Same old execution, same old result as Virat Kohli gets caught in the slips. Scott Boland teased the India batter with a 5th-6th stump line again. Kohli couldn’t resist this time and ended up giving an easy catch in slips. A big setback for India. 

India vs Australia 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Virat Kohli Gaining Confidence

Virat Kohli gaining confidence with every passing delivery. The star batter has started looking for driving opportunities, but those are also the shots that have cost him his wicket in this series. Pat Cummins looking for slight luck but Virat has largely remained untroubled so far.

IND 71/3 (31 overs)

India vs Australia 5th Test Live: First Boundary Of The Day For Rishabh Pant

A loosener from Pat Cummins down the leg side and Rishabh Pant doesn’t miss the opportunity to hit his first boundary of the day. A more calm and composed approach from the India wicket-keeper so far.

IND 64/3 (29 overs)

India vs australia 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Focus On Pant’s Style Of Play

Rishabh Pant too was at the center of criticism in Melbourne after his reckless shot turned out to be the game-changing moment for India. After Pant departed, India’s lower-order crumbled under pressure. It would be interesting to see how the wicket-keeper batter conducts himself today with the bat. 

IND 59/3 (27 overs)

IND vs AUS 5th Test Day 1, Live: 2nd session begins

The second session on Day 1 of the 5th Test between India and Australia has now started. Virat Kohli has now been joined by Rishabh Pant at the crease, after the dismissal of Shubman Gill. Both Pant and Kohli need to form a strong partnership, in order to bring 3-down India out of the trouble. Let’s play!

IND vs AUS 5th Test Day 1, Live: Smith on Kohli’s 3rd umpire row

“100%. No denying it whatsoever.”

Steve Smith weighs in on whether he got his hand underneath the ball in the biggest moment of the morning. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/bqIy8iGIRm

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025

India vs Australia 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Time To Promote Reddy?

India would be highly disappointed to be standing in this position at the end of the first session. Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli seemed to have steadied the ship with their partnership but Nathan Lyon proved once again why he is considered a GOAT in this part of the world. Will it be Rishabh Pant coming in next or will Nitish Reddy be promoted in the batting order by India?

India vs Australia 5th Test Live: Blow For India Right Before Lunch

The early spin gamble works for Australia as Nathan Lyon gets the prized wicket of Shubman Gill. An edge into the hands of the slip fielder as India lose their 3rd wicket. That’s the end of the first session at SCG.

IND 57/3 (25 overs)

IND vs AUS 5th Test Live: Intriguing Strategy From Australia

As Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill take India past the 50-run mark, Australia introduce spin bowling for the first time. Intriguing tactical call from Australia to introduce spin this early in teh game. 

IND 56/2 (23 overs)

India vs Australia 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Gill-Kohli In Cruise Control

Virat Kohli continues his disciplined approach of not chasing the ball outside the off-stump. Shubman Gill had a couple of nervy moments where luck favoured him but overall the two have looked in exemplary control in the middle. We aren’t far away from the end of the first session and India would be happy to have come this far after losing KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal early.

IND 56/2 (22 overs)

India vs Australia 5th Test Live: Virat Kohli With 90% Control Today

Be it Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland or now Beau Webster, Virat Kohli has shown extreme awareness and caution so far. Barring the dropped catch by Steve Smith, the India star has been in control in the middle. His control percentage, at present is 90%.

IND 51/2 (20 overs)

Indai vs Australia 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Debutant Beau Webster Joins Attack

The 6ft 6 inches tall Beau Webster has been introduced into attack by Australia. The debutant started his career as an off-spinner but gradually evolved into a medium pacer. After replacing Mitchell Marsh, Webster has been given the responsibility of an all-rounder in the team.

IND 43/2 (18 overs)

Pink Test, Day 1 Live: Cummins Bowls His 7th Over

No break for Australia skipper Pat Cummins who bowls his 7th over of the first spell. While Boland had replaced Mitchell Starc, Cummins has gone full steam early in the match on Day 1.  Both Kohli and Gill remain watchful early on. 

IND 42/2 (17 overs)

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Sanjay Bangar On Rohit Sharma’s Decision

Former India batter Sanjay Bangar on Rohit Sharma’s selfless decision:

“My respect for Rohit Sharma has only increased with this decision. It is very difficult for a captain to drop himself. What Rohit has done as the captain of the team, sets a precedent for others to follow,” Sanjay Bangar in commentary.

IND 42/2 (16 overs)

India vs Australia 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Boland Testing Kohli

Scott Boland has emerged as quite a threatening bowler this morning. He didn’t just get rid of Yashasvi Jaiswal but also missed Virat Kohli’s wicket by the narrowest of margins. Kohli has handled him well since nearly getting caught in the slips. We still have about 45 minutes left before the first session ends.

IND 33/2 (14 overs)

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: First Review Lost By Australia

A loud LBW shout by Australia turned down by the umpire but no bat involve either as a catch was taken after the ball hit the pad. DRS taken but the ball was going over the stumps. Shubman Gill survives. 

IND 32/2 (12 overs)

India vs Australia 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Onus On Gill-Kohli

The King and the Prince of Indian cricket are together in the middle after Australia struck early to remove Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. It’s going to be tough for India from here on and the team needs this partnership to stick. 

IND 25/2 (11 overs)

India vs Australia 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Kohli-Smith Exchange

Steve Smith shaking his head as he walks past Virat Kohli after the end of the over. Kohli also says a few words to the Australia star over the decision from the third umpire on that catch. Virat is also off the mark!

Phew. Kohli saab’s test career safe for now. pic.twitter.com/B5ijLS8zON

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) January 3, 2025

IND 22/2 (9 overs)

Pink Test Live: Lucky Break For Virat Kohli

Scott Boland almost seems to have got Virat Kohli caught behind but the ball seemed to have slipped out of Steve Smith’s hand just a little and touched the ground. A huge lucky break for Virat Kohli and India as Australia turn on heat.

India vs Australia 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Yashasvi Jaiswal Departs Too

WICKET! Drama in the middle as Yashasvi Jaiswal departs early too. Scott Boland comes in as the first-change bowler in attack and doesn’t waste much time before sending Yashasvi Jaiswal packing. An easy catch in the slips and the left-hander has to head back to the dressing room.

India vs Australia 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Cummins-Starc Continue To Test Indians

The 7mm grass pitch has posed quite a few challenges in front of Indian batters at the Sydney Cricket Ground this morning. KL Rahul has already become the victim of Starc’s clever challenges while Cummins has also bowled quite a testing lines. India need to be cautious for another hour at least.

IND 16/1 (7 overs)

IND vs AUS 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Soft Dismissal, KL Rahul Departs

WICKET! Mitchell Starc continuously tested KL Rahul with a 5th stump line but it’s a delivery on the pads that gets rid of the India opener. A big blow to Rahul as he departs after making just 4 runs off 14 balls. Not the kind of start India wanted. 

IND vs AUS 5th Test Live: India Off To Watchful Start At SCG

KL Rahul off the mark with a drive through the covers for three runs against Mitchell Starc. Yashasvi Jaiswal once again gets tested by Pat Cummins on the 5th stump line. Irfan Pathan warns the opener against being tempted to play those drives.

IND 11/0 (4 overs)

India vs Australia 5th Test Live: Cummins Testing Jaiswal Early

After Mitchell Starc conceded 5 runs from the first over, Pat Cummins bowls a much tidy and tight line to give away just one run. Jaiswal tested multiple time in the over. But, no damage done.

IND 6/0 (2 overs)