New Delhi: With a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final race and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 on the line, India will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they take on Australia in the fifth and final Test in Sydney starting Friday, January 03. India have already lost the chance to win their third straight Test series in Australia after their crushing 184-run defeat in the recently concluded 4th Test in Melbourne.
However, the Rohit Sharma-led visitors still have a lot to play for as they look to avoid a defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2015. India have their backs against the wall heading into the decisive fifth Test in Sydney with off-field issues creeping up as murmurs regarding a possible rift in the dressing room intensify with reports claiming not all is well between head coach Gautam Gambhir and the players.
However, India will be hoping to keep the speculations aside and focus on the job at hand as they aim to level the series 2-2 in Sydney. However, India’s abysmal Test record at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) doesn’t inspire much confidence. A win in Melbourne, where India had a promising record was important because India haven’t won a Test match in Sydney in the last 47 years.
India’s Test record at the Sydney Cricket Ground
India have a poor record in Sydney in Tests having last won a Test match at the venue in 1978. India have played 14 Test matches against Australia in Sydney and have managed a solitary win. The visitors have lost 5 and drawn the other seven Test matches at the venue.
India’s only Test victory at the SCG came in January 1978 when Bishan Singh Bedi’s men defeated Bob Simpson-led Australia by an innings and two runs. On their last two tours of Australia when India have won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India have played out successive draws in Test matches in Sydney.
On their last tour Down Under, India drew the Sydney Test after a valiant partnership between Hanuma Vihari and R Ashwin for the sixth wicket in their second innings. The duo combined to play a staggering 289 deliveries between them and added an unbeaten 62-run stand to help India avoid a defeat before eventually clinching the series 2-1 with a historic win in the final 4th Test at the Gabba.
India’s record at the Sydney Cricket Ground is a huge concern for Rohit Sharma & Co. ahead of the must-win 5th Test against Australia. India need to win the 5th Test to remain alive in the race for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
