Australia clinched a six-wicket victory over India in the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). They secured a 3-1 series win and reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade.
Day 1: India's Batting Woes Continue
India elected to bat when winning the toss. Yet, they struggled against Australia's disciplined bowling attack. Rishabh Pant top-scored with a resilient 40, while Ravindra Jadeja contributed 26 runs. Scott Boland led the Australian bowlers with figures of 4/31, supported by Mitchell Starc's 3/49, as India was bowled out for 185. Australia ended the day at 9/1, with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Usman Khawaja in a dramatic final over.
Day 2: Australia Takes the Lead
Australia's first innings saw Beau Webster anchoring the innings with a composed 57. Then, Steven Smith added 33 runs. India's bowlers, led by Prasidh Krishna (3/42) and Mohammed Siraj (3/51), managed to restrict Australia to 181, giving the hosts a slender four-run lead. In their second innings, India reached 141/6 at stumps. Pant scored a rapid half-century, the second-fastest by an Indian in Test cricket.
Day 3: Australia's Decisive Chase
India's batting collapse continued on the third day. They closed their remaining four wickets for just 16 runs, culminating in a total of 157. Boland was instrumental again, claiming a six-wicket haul with figures of 6/45, bringing his match tally to ten wickets. Set a target of 162, Australia faced early setbacks. However, a steady partnership between Travis Head (34*) and debutant Beau Webster (39*) guided them to 162/4, sealing the victory and the series.
Key Performances and Series Highlights
- Scott Boland's Breakthrough: Boland's performance earned him the Player of the Match award. His ability to extract movement and maintain accuracy troubled the Indian batsmen throughout the match.
- Jasprit Bumrah's Lone Battle: Despite the overall team's loss, Bumrah was named Player of the Series. He claimed 32 wickets at an average of 13.06, often carrying the burden of India's bowling attack single-handedly. His absence due to a back spasm in Australia's second innings of the final Test was a blow to India's defense.
- Travis Head's Consistency: He emerged as a reliable figure in Australia's batting lineup. Head contributed crucial runs, including two centuries in the series, and played a pivotal role in the final chase at the SCG. He finished the series as the highest run-getter.
Series Significance and Future Implications
This series victory is very significant for Australia. It marked their dominance in Test cricket by holding all major bilateral trophies, including the World Test Championship (WTC) and the World Cup. Captain Pat Cummins expressed pride in the team's achievements. He highlighted the importance of this win in the broader context of Australian cricket.
For India, the series exposed vulnerabilities. It was particularly clear with the over-reliance on Bumrah and the fragility of the top-order batting. The team's inability to support Bumrah and the lack of contributions from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are areas of concern. Kohli's performance has sparked discussions about the future of Indian cricket.
Looking Ahead
Australia's triumph has secured them a spot in the upcoming World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's in June. The team's performance throughout the series sets a formidable precedent as they prepare for future challenges.
India faces introspection and rebuilding. The must have a more robust pace attack to support Bumrah and to reassess batting strategies to address the top-order fragility. With tours to England and other assignments on the horizon, the Men in Blue must address these issues to regain their competitive edge in international cricket.