Pant And Jadeja Pile On Aussies' Agony After Pujara's 193

The wicketkeeper remains unbeaten on 159 and the left-arm allrounder helps himself to an 81 as India runs up 622 for seven decl.

Entering the Sydney Cricket Ground, the statue of one of Australia’s favourite cricketing sons, Steve Waugh, greets you.

Apart from being a toughas­nails batsman, Waugh was a ruthless captain who often spoke about “mental disintegration of the opposition.”

At the SCG, Waugh’s home ground, the celebrated former Australian skipper watched helplessly from the Member’s Pavilion as Australia suffered physically and psychologically with the relentless Indians piling on the runs. When India declared in the last session on day two of the fourth Test here on Friday at a mammoth 622 for seven, its first Test series triumph in Australia was virtually ensured.

The hosts, pounded under a scorching run, were relieved to go off the field. The boot was on the other foot.

And had ’keeper Rishabh Pant, diving to his left, not floored Usman Khawaja when the southpaw nicked Mohammed Shami, Australia would have lost a wicket very early.

Compelling strokeplay

Earlier, Pant had remained unbeaten on a 159 of compelling strokeplay; it was the first Test hundred by an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman on Australian soil.

The surface was flat on day two and the Indian bat-smen capitalised. Runs flowed even as the Aussie shoulders drooped.