That's it for the day! Australia end Day 1 at 9/1 with Bumrah knicking Khawaja off the very last ball of the day's play. India lead by 176, having posted 185 in the first innings.

Bumrah gets the breakthrough with the last ball of Day 1. Khawaja edges to Rahul at second slip. Bumrah then charges on Konstas with an animated celebration. Kohli too joins him. A couple of balls back, the two had an exchange. Bumrah wasn't pleased with him on that occasion. Nonetheless, big wicket for India. They would have want to bowl a couple of more overs here.

A tight over from Siraj! Just 2 runs off it. Only 5 minutes left for the close of play. Bumrah to bowl the final over of the day, as things stand

AUS: 8/0 (2)

Bumrah takes out his anger on Khawaja, who gets hit on the first ball he faces. That seems to have hit him on the index finger. The Australian physio is out in the middle

AUS: 5/0 (0.4)

Konstas charges down first ball and pulls Bumrah over midwicket for a boundary. No one saw that coming. Some way to get the innings underway

AUS: 4/0 (0.1)

That's the end of Bumrah's knock. He falls on 22 off 17. But, another first-innings failure for India as they are bowled out for 185. Three for Starc, two for Cummins and Lyon too got a wicket. Boland the standout bowler for Aus with his 4/31.

Short break before Australia's innings!

Bumrah and Siraj are swinging their bats on every delivery. The latter has played more balls than the former. Let's see if these two can take India close or over the 200-run mark

IND: 179/9 (72)

Bumrah swings but only manages to get a leading edge. Labuschagne was at fine deep third but fails to grab the ball. Starc wasn't too pleased with his effort

IND: 174/9 (70.1)

Siraj is the latest Indian player to be hit by an Australian pacer. He had gone for a big hit but the ball brushed off his glove and hit struck the grill of the helmet. The follow through must have caught him on the jaw. The physio has been a busy man 

IND: 170/9 (69.1)

With Bumrah going berserk on Boland, Prasidh too decides to go the aerial route. He survives first time, but gets caught the second time at deep-backward square leg by Konstas. 

IND: 168/9

FOUR!!!! Despite losing eight wickets, India gain a little bit of momentum. Jasprit Bumrah, who has joined Prasidh Krishna at the crease. In the previous over of Scott Boland, Bumrah unleashes his fury and hammers three back-to-back boundaries and gives India some hope. In total, Boland leaks 13 runs as India are still hopeful for a comeback. 

Sundar was not happy with his dismissal. Had a quick chat with the umpire before taking the long walk back to the dressing room. There was a visual deflection, similar to Jaiswal's in the second innings at MCG

Sundar's cameo comes to an end with a close DRS call. Cummins was not sure about it after Carey's appeal. However, he took the DRS and the replay showed that the ball had just brushed off the glove. Another Indian wicket falls

IND: 148/8 (65.6)

Sundar seems to have recovered from that blow. Manages to get another boundary. Stays leg side of the ball and cuts it between gully and point for four. These are bonus runs for India

IND: 148/7 (65.5)

That must have hurt a lot! Sundar is down after being hit on the unmentionable region. It nipped in from a length and hit him flush where you don't want to be hit. Physio will have to make a small jog back to the middle

IND: 144/7 (65.3)

Back-to-back boundaries from Sundar! First is drive straight of mid-on. Cuts it behind point the second time. Best for India is to attack Webster now. Hard to eeke out boundaries from Boland, Starc and Cummins 

IND: 143/7 

Struck on the pads and given! Jadeja is not sure about it but takes the review. The ball was close to the bat but there was not edge. Three red lights and Jadeja is off. Starc claims his 2nd. India 7 down now

IND: 134/7 (62.4)

Driven past mid-on! No chance for Cummins, who puts in a half-hearted dive. Shot of the afternoon from Jadeja. A rare overpitched ball from Webster

IND: 129/6 (61.3)

Boland on a roll for Australia! That's was the 7th instance of him taking multiple wickets in a single over. Not sure whether there's any demons in the pitch. Regardless, Boland has been absolutely relentless.

IND: 125/6 (61)

Nitish Reddy departs first ball! Catching practice for Steve Smith. Boland on fire. India in trouble

IND: 120/6

Pant hits the self-destruct button! Cummins takes an easy catch at mid-on. Pant tried to pull it, but miscued. There was no need to play that short.

IND: 120/5 

Boland continues to cause trouble! Jadeja survives a close one. That one came back sharply after hitting the surface

IND: 115/4 (54.1)

Pant was attended by physios once again. He has already been hit 4-5 times on the body and the India keeper seems to be in some discomfort. Meanwhile, Australia are still behind on over rate and these stoppages aren't helping their cause either

IND: 114/4 (52.2)

Extra four runs for India! Debutant Webster with a wayward throw at the bowler's end, trying to catch Pant short of his crease. However, he misses by miles. A single and four overthrows for India!

IND: 114/4 (51.2)

Pant and Jadeja return to the middle for the resumption of play after Tea! Boland to start from around the wicket. 2/15 for him so far

IND: 107/4 (50)

That's Tea on Day 1 here at the SCG! Pant moves into the 40s and India go into the break at 107/4. Just one wicket falling in this session. A shared session since India only scored 50 runs off it

Pant copping more blows! Gets hit on the shoulder again, this time off Cummins. He then gets beaten on the inside edge and gets hit in the unmentionables. Pyhsio is back to check on him

IND: 100/4 (48.3)

Cummins brings the field up and Jadeja goes down the ground! His eyes lit up and he smashes it between the bowler and Pant for four. Gets into double figures. 100 up for India

IND: 100/4 (47.5)

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)

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)

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)

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)

The banter continues between Konstas and the crowd.

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

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 3, 2025

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)

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)

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

IND: 82/4 (42.2)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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)

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. 

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)

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)

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)

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!

"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

Here's a look at that Shubman Gill dismissal right before Lunch on Day 1:

Nathan Lyon gets a wicket on the last ball before lunch #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/B5nfTtBvem

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

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?

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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.

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.

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)

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. 

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)

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)

As Rohit Sharma decides to opt out of the 5th Test, Sanjay Manjrekar says the skipper once again did the right thing.

So typical of Rohit Sharma. Doing the right thing, doing what’s right for the team. But could not understand the ‘cloak & dagger’ around the issue. Wasn’t even talked about at the toss.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 2, 2025

First boundary of the day for India and it comes from the bat of Yashasvi Jaiswal. Mitchell Starc looked o produce an outswinger for Jaiswal from the leg-stump but the India opener did very well to flick the ball towards the mid-wicket boundary. Fine first over for India.

IND 4/0 (1 over)

Yashasvi Jaiswal takes guard as live action begins in the Pink Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Mitchell Starc has the new ball in his hand The year 2025 could be the start of a new era for Indian cricket, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the team. We are underway!

The national anthems of both India and Australia are over and it is time for the on-field action to begin. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul would be keen to reproduce the Perth magic, maybe even go a step further, as they open together again. For Australia, the task remains simple, get the most out of the 7mm grass that's there on the pitch at present. 

Harshit Rana played the first two Tests for India in Perth and Adelaide and he was pretty impressive in the series opener which India won. But, it is Prasidh Krishna who gets the team management's not for the Pink Test in Sydney. The selection decisions do highlight lack of clarity in the Indian team at the moment. 

Here's how the pitch at SCG looks like this morning:

Fun watching the pitch at the SCG. Let's have some fun #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/rAEpndTajR

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 2, 2025

Nitish Kumar Reddy goes shares his emotions after the special MCG hundred.

"For 30 seconds I felt a warm hug, it was a great moment for me. As a son I always wanted my father to hug me."
Nitish Kumar Reddy shares a special moment he shared with his father after scoring his maiden Test hundred. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/600kTsEHGW

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 2, 2025

There's plenty of grass on the pitch, unlike we have seen in any of the 4 Tests today. Sunil Gavaskar feels Pat Cummins would be happy to field first considering the field, as well as the overcast conditions. It's going to be quite tricky for India's openers -- Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul -- today. Shubman Gill, back at No. 3, also faces a big Test to keep his place in India's XI. 

A look at both XIs of the team as Australia also make some changes to the playing XI:

Australia Playing XI: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

India Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah(c), Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

Jasprit Bumrah, as expected, comes out for toss as the stand-in skipper after Rohit Sharma 'opted to rest'. India win toss and decide to bat first. Two changes for the Indian team as Prasidh Krishna and Shubman Gill come into India's XI. Pat Cummins not to disappointed as SCG has overcast conditions at the moment. 

With Rohit Sharma being dropped to the bench, Jasprit Bumrah will have another opportunity to showcase his captaincy credentials today. Rumours of Virat Kohli wanting to be Team India's 'interim captain' have also been doing rounds on the internet but the team management faces a big task ahead of them if Rohit decides to call it a day in Tests. 

It has also been reported by PTI that Gautam Gambhir was asked if Rohit Sharma can be a part of India's XI in Sydney and bow out from Tests after the match. But the head coach turned down the request. For Gambhir, the priority remains winning the final BGT Test at SCG and retain the trophy by drawing the series 2-2. 

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Day 1 of the 5th Test between India and Australia from Sydney. The news of India captain Rohit Sharma being dropped from the 5th Test against Australia has already been doing rounds in the internet. Though head coach Gautam Gambhir refused to confirm if Rohit will be a part of the XI today, it is understood that Jasprit Bumrah will leading the side as the Hitman warms the bench. Shubman Gill is said to be a part of the playing XI again while the injured Akash Deep is out. Will there be other changes too?