New Delhi:
Cheteshwar Pujara's magnificent 193 laid the base for India's domination but it was Rishabh Pant's blitz in the fag end of day 2 that totally decimated Australia. Pant became the first Indian keeper in history to hit a century in Australia and his 204-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja helped India declare on 622/7, their second-highest score in Tests in Australia. India will be aiming to get quick wickets on day 3 and build a healthy lead as they look to seal a fantastic series win in Australia and in the process, create history. On the other hand, Australia face a massive task in trying to save this match. A win is all but ruled out for Tim Paine's side but it will require a herculean effort to level the series. (SCORECARD)
Khawaja has survived a close chance as he plays right back to a flatter delivery that skids through from Kuldeep. Luckily, the batsman got an inside edge which rolled to fine leg for a couple.
Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are bowling in tandem now. Perhaps, this could be the right time for India to take a wicket.
Bumrah and Shami are trying hard to get a breakthrough before the close. There are just four overs remaining in the day. Won't be a bad idea to try out some spin.
Marcus Harris gets going with a couple of boundaries. This is an ideal pitch to play shots once a batsmen is settled in.
DROPPED! Not the ideal start for India. Mohammed Shami gets a full ball to nip away and Usman Khawaja pokes at it, however, Rishabh Pant drops the catch.
List of records broken
Rishabh Pant - First Indian keeper to hit 150+ score in Australia
622/7 dec - Second highest score for India in Australia. Their highest is also at this venue, which was 705/7 declared in 2004
204 - The best seventh wicket stand for India in Tests against Australia between Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant, beating 199 set by Cheteshwar Pujara and Wriddhiman Saha in Ranchi
204 - The best seventh wicket stand at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australia have 10 overs to survive. India would be hoping to price out a couple of wickets, considering how deflated Australia are.
Nathan Lyon gets his fourth and Jadeja is bowled for 81. Virat Kohli has declared and India have reached 622/7.
Rishabh Pant! The records continue to flow for him. He mauls Josh Hazlewood to the deep midwicket fence and becomes the first Indian keeper and 12th overall to hit a 150+ score in an overseas Test. Take a bow, legend!
It is absolute carnage in Sydney as Ravindra Jadeja blasts four boundaries in one over of Pat Cummins as India go past 600. Australia are clueless and are bleeding profusely. Maybe, Pant and Jadeja might go past their milestones before they declare.
India have crossed 550 with Ravindra Jadeja slamming his 10th fifty. Australia totally down and out and it will take a supreme effort to salvage this Test now.
Rishabh Pant, you star! He can definitely keep, he can definitely sledge and he can definitely bat. The Delhi dasher slams his second century and his first in Australia. India on course for 500 and the celebrations were indeed a testament to his dedication. What a knock!
Tea on day 2 of the Sydney Test. India have smashed 102 runs in the session and Rishabh Pant is nearing a magnificent century. Sublime stuff and India are well on course for a total in excess of 550.
Pant moves to into the 80s as Australia struggle to control the runs. India are nearing 500 and the Australian bowling is looking out of sorts.
Jadeja makes room and upper-cuts it to third man and India have gone past 450. India might want to insert Australia in today for just an hour in order to put pressure.
India are nearing 450 with Pant batting sensibly. Jadeja also is not throwing his bat around aimlessly. Australia have spread the field.
Jadeja and Pant are the last recognised batsmen before Australia get into the tail. However, a total close to 500 will be challenging for an Australia batting line-up that has failed to fire in the last one year.
Tame dismissal for Pujara. He dances down the track and looks to work it to the leg side, but Lyon has given the ball a bit more air and the batsman is beaten by the flight, he ends up chipping it back to Lyon who takes the catch. Big relief for Usman Khawaja who dropped him on 192.
Rishabh Pant comes closer to his fifty with a brilliant whip off his pads of Josh Hazlewood. Australia cannot stop the flow of runs as Pujara nears a special milestone.
DROPPED! Pujara gets massive life. The right-hander attempts to late cut Nathan Lyon and the edge flies to slip where Usman Khawaja spills a difficult chance.
India have gone past 400. The pressure mounts for Australia with Rishabh Pant also looking in great touch.
Pujara is moving serenly to 200 while Pant is eyeing a fifty. Australia have employed Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan Lyon to try and break this stand that is looking ominous.
That is lunch on day 2 of the Sydney Test. Pujara has been in solid form and is nearing a historic double century. He is known to bat long and big. India are in a great position, with Pant also at the crease, to race to 500 and insert Australia in.
Pujara and Pant are making good progress, Pant in particular is playing with his trademark aggression. India are approaching 400.
Australia opt for a review against Rishabh Pant for a catch. Lyon got the ball to spin away and Pant has a feel for it. Paine appeals but the umpire does not give it out. RTS shows no spike and Australia have lost both their reviews.
Rishabh Pant is off to a flying start as he beautifully drives a full ball from Starc to the deep cover fence. This is an opportunity for the Indian wicketkeeper to display his class with a calm head.
So much happening. Cheteshwar Pujara slams 150 and the partnership with Hanuma Vihari goes past 100. It has been a golden summer for Pujara and it has gone a long way in helping India create history. However, Vihari attempts the sweep and is caught at short leg. Lyon gets the breakthrough but India review, RTS shows a faint mark on snicko and Vihari falls for 42.
The Australian bowlers have kept things tight so far. Pujara capitalises on the short ball by employing the upper-cut against Mitchell Starc, Tim Paine's woes increase.
A warm welcome to day 2 of the Sydney Test. All eyes will be on Cheteshwar Pujara and how he goes about his marathon effort today. India will be aiming a score in excess of 450 to put Australia under immense pressure.
