India faced significant challenges during the first day of the fifth Test match against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on January 3, 2025, as they lost three top-order batsmen before lunch. The much-debated decision to rest captain Rohit Sharma did not yield the desired results, leaving fans and analysts questioning the move amid early troubles for the Indian team.
After winning the toss, Jasprit Bumrah, filling in for the rested Rohit Sharma, opted to bat first. This decision met with skepticism, especially considering the gray skies and the slightly greener pitch, which promised assistance to the bowlers. Indian fans were undoubtedly uneasy as they witnessed their team tumble, with KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill all falling victim to Australia's formidable bowling attack.
Mitchell Starc struck first, dismissing KL Rahul for just 4 runs. Rahul’s dismissal came as he played what can only be described as a poor shot, leading to an easy catch at square leg where 19-year-old Sam Konstas was present. "KL Rahul chipped it straight..." commented analysts, who noted the ease with which the opener handed over his wicket.
Following Rahul's departure, Scott Boland quickly made his presence felt, claiming the wicket of the promising Yashasvi Jaiswal for just 10 runs. Heading to the crease, Jaiswal appeared out of sorts, falling to Boland's precision bowling which nicked the edge and was caught by debutant Beau Webster at slip. The dismissal again highlighted India's struggle against quality seam bowling.
With India at 57/2, the pressure mounted on veteran batsman Virat Kohli, who was greeted by cheers from the Australian crowd but also immense pressure to stabilize the innings. Kohli managed to survive one scare on his first ball - he edged the ball to slips, and after referral to the third umpire, it was ruled not out, much to the relief of the Indian camp.
Despite the initial reprieve, Kohli’s slot at the crease was feeling the strain, especially as Shubman Gill batted alongside him. The palpable tension culminated at the stroke of lunch when Gill fell to the same bowler, Boland, for 20 runs, leading to fervent reactions from fans and commentators alike. Gill’s dismissal, once again, left India shaking at 72/4.
While Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja offered some resistance, it was clear the Indians had not anticipated such early setbacks. At lunch, the score leaned heavily against India, standing at just 72 runs for the loss of four wickets, with Pant and Jadeja left to rebuild.
India's decision to rest Rohit Sharma sparked discussion on social media, with many questioning the strategy, especially after India’s captain had been previously criticized for his performances. “Who will you blame now?” fans tweeted, with some taking to task the management for the bold decision to drop Sharma, indicating how pivotal his leadership and experience could have been during this tricky phase. Enthusiastic responses from fans included contrasting thoughts, with Sharma supporters feeling upset and pointing fingers at management decisions leading to this situation.
By the end of the session, as discussions swirled around the match's progress, Bumrah’s men still had their work cut out for them. With Kohli batting conservatively at 12 not out and needing to display resilience, India's batting line-up urgently needed to find stability moving forward.
Australia's bowlers are on song as they’ve capitalized on the Indian weaknesses, with Starc, Boland, and Nathan Lyon all contributing to significant breakthroughs. The backing of debutant Webster showcased the strength and depth of the Australian team and their intent to secure victory.
The Sydney Test is pivotal for both teams—not just for the series, which Australia leads 2-1, but also for India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship final. Despite the early setbacks, the Indian camp remains focused on rebuilding and swinging momentum back to their side.
Looking forward, if Kohli and Pant can steady the ship post-lunch and form solid partnerships, India could attempt to recover from this early chaos and potentially set up a competitive total. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether the Indian batsmen can withstand this level of seam bowling and retain their composure under pressure as they strive to keep their series hopes alive.