India ended Day 2 of the fifth and final match of the Border-Gavaskar Test series at the Sydney Cricket Ground leading Australia by 145 runs in their second innings, having lost six wickets. Australia’s bowlers, spearheaded by Mitchell Starc’s aggressive pace and Nathan Lyon’s skilled spin, maintained relentless pressure throughout the day.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma has excused himself from the fifth and final Test against Australia by opting to "rest" himself following a string of underwhelming performances. The decision has put a question mark on Sharma's future in the longest format.