An explosive Rishabh Pant slammed the second fastest Indian Test half-century Saturday to drive his team to a 145-run lead with four wickets left after an intense day two of the decisive fifth Test against Australia. At the close in Sydney, the visitors were 141-6 with Ravindra Jadeja on eight and Washington Sundar six after they dismissed Australia for 181 in reply to their first innings 185. Pant signalled his intent by plundering a six on his first ball, and reached 50 after just 29 deliveries with another big shot that cleared the ropes. Only his 28-ball half-century against Sri Lanka in 2022 was faster for India. He was finally dismissed for 61 off 33 by Pat Cummins, but Scott Boland was India's main tormenter, taking 4-42. Pant's exploits set up an exciting finale, with doubts over whether skipper Jasprit Bumrah will take any further part.

He left the field after bowling one over following lunch and left the Sydney Cricket Ground, likely heading for hospital scans. Bumrah was seen returning some 80 minutes before stumps. In his absence, Prasidh Krishna (3-42), Mohammed Siraj (3-51) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (2-32) stepped up to fill the void and dismiss Australia after they resumed on 9-1. The hosts will regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2014-15 if they win or draw. Yashasvi Jaiswal got India's second innings off with a bang, crunching four boundaries from the opening over by Mitchell Starc. But the opening partnership was quickly shattered when KL Rahul was bowled for 13 by Boland, whose line and length has been impeccable all series. He pounced again in his next over with a ball that jagged back to deliver the same punishment to Jaiswal (22).