New Delhi: Pat Cummins-led Australia defeated India by six wickets in the 5th and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney on Sunday to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2022-25 3-1 and qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final. Australia brought an end to a 10-year-long wait with the victory as they won their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2015 when they beat India 2-0 at home.
India were hurt by the absence of their stand-in skipper and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as Australia comfortably chased down the target of 162 runs in their second innings on Day 3 of the 5th Test at the SCG to wrap up a convincing victory. Australia rode on opener Usman Khawaja’s 41 and an unbeaten stand of 58 runs from Travis Head and debutant Beau Webster to nail down the target with ease in front of a packed crowd.
Bumrah, who had to leave the field due to a back spasm after bowling only 10 overs during Australia’s first innings on Day 2, did come out to bat for India in the visitors’ second innings on Day 3. However, the pacer didn’t return to bowl due to his injury which ended up costing India as the Aussie batters dominated the proceedings against a depleted Indian bowling attack.
Resuming their second innings from 141/6 on Day 3, India capitulated in no time after Pat Cummins sent Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar packing early in the morning session. The tail couldn’t resist for long as India were eventually bowled out for 157 to set up a low-key target of 162 runs for Australia in their second innings.
Scott Boland, who wreaked havoc on the Indian batting line-up on Day 2, continued his impressive show on Day 3 and went on to complete a fifer after dismissing tail-enders Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. Boland was the pick of the bowlers for Australia during India’s second innings as he finished with excellent figures of 6/45 off his 16.5 overs.
In pursuit of the 162-run target, Australia got off to a solid start courtesy of their openers Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas, who added 39 runs for the first wicket. The hosts did lose three wickets in quick succession to find themselves reeling on 58/3 but a 46-run stand between Khawaja and Head for the 4th wicket followed by an unbeaten 58-run stand between Head and Webster took the Aussies home comfortably.
Beau Webster finishes it off and Australia claims the Border-Gavaskar Trophy! #AUSvIND | #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/fl5tmIMPPd
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2025
India fail to qualify for WTC final for the 1st time
India, who had their frailties exposed after two defeats in the first four Tests, headed into the 5th and final encounter in Sydney needing a win to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 2-2 scoreline and remain alive in the race for the WTC final. However, the visitors failed to deliver once again as a unit as Australia outplayed them across all departments to emerge as winners.
India started the series in an emphatic manner under stand-in skipper Bumrah with a thumping 295-run victory in the opener in Perth to go 1-0 up. Australia bounced back with a dominant 10-wicket victory in the pink-ball Test match in Adelaide before rain saved India the blushes in the 3rd Test in Perth which ended in a draw.
Skipper Rohit Sharma’s woeful form with the bat coupled with his poor leadership and Virat Kohli’s struggles didn’t help India’s cause as Australia hammered the visitors by 184 runs in the 4th Test in Melbourne to go 2-1 up in the series. In the hope of bouncing back to winning ways and remaining alive in the race for the WTC final, Rohit was dropped from the XI to make way for Bumrah to lead the side.
However, the gamble didn’t pay off as an injury to the pacer ensured he couldn’t contribute with the ball on Day 3 as Australia cruised to another victory to seal the series 3-1. India missed out on a spot in the WTC final for the first time since the inception of the tournament as Australia secured their berth in the summit clash alongside South Africa.
Youngsters only silver lining for India
Youngsters were the only silver lining for India in an otherwise disappointing Test series Down Under as the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Reddy impressed and showcased fight throughout the series. While Jaiswal continued his stellar run at the top, Reddy proved his mettle with vital contributions in the lower middle order, including a maiden Test ton in Melbourne.
Reddy was a revelation for India in the series and the Indian think thank will be hoping to further groom him for the longest format as he continues to evolve. Meanwhile, the selectors and the Indian team management will have some difficult calls to make as far as the futures of the likes of Kohli and Rohit are concerned after India’s dismal defeat in the series.
Pat Cummins-led Australia defeated India by six wickets in the 5th and final Test in Sydney to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1 and eliminate the visitors from the race to the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
