In a disappointing conclusion to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 for India, Australia defeated India by six wickets in the fifth Test held at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3 to January 5, 2025. This victory not only secured the series for Australia at 3-1 but also marked their first reclaiming of the trophy since 2015. The match was characterized by dramatic shifts in momentum, a challenging pitch, and notable individual performances.
Match Summary
Day One: A Tight Contest
The match commenced with India winning the toss and opting to bat first. They struggled against a disciplined and relentless Australian bowling attack, managing to post a modest total of 185 runs. The standout performer for Australia was Scott Boland, who took 4 wickets for 31 runs, showcasing his ability to exploit the conditions effectively. Australia, in response, had a shaky start as well, losing wickets at regular intervals. They were eventually bowled out for 181 runs, giving India a slender 4-run lead over Australia.
Day Two: A Day of Wickets
The second day witnessed an astonishing fall of wickets, with 15 dismissals occurring throughout the day. India found themselves in a precarious position at 141 for 6, but an explosive innings from Rishabh Pant, who scored 61 runs, helped them reach a total of 157 runs in their second innings. This set Australia a target of 162 runs to win. On the bowling front, Boland continued his excellent form, finishing with figures of 6 for 45 in India’s second innings. His performance was crucial in limiting India’s scoring opportunities and putting pressure on their batting lineup.
Day Three: Australia’s Chase
Entering Day Three needing 162 runs for victory, Australia faced early challenges as they lost three quick wickets and found themselves at 71 for 3 at lunch. However, the partnership between Travis Head and Beau Webster steadied the ship. Head finished unbeaten on 34 runs, while Webster sealed the victory with an impressive score of 39 not out, hitting the winning boundary and securing Australia’s triumph. The absence of Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah, who was sidelined due to back spasms, significantly impacted India’s bowling attack. His leadership and wicket-taking abilities were sorely missed as Australia capitalized on this advantage to chase down the target in just 27 overs after lunch.
Key Performers
- Scott Boland (Australia): With match figures of 10 wickets, Boland’s exceptional bowling was pivotal in both innings.
- Beau Webster (Australia): Making his Test debut, Webster’s composed batting under pressure was crucial for Australia’s successful chase.
- Prasidh Krishna (India): Krishna’s performance with the ball provided India with early breakthroughs but ultimately fell short in defending their modest totals.
Pitch Conditions and Impact
The SCG pitch was rated as “satisfactory” by ICC officials, offering early pace and bounce that favored fast bowlers throughout the match. This condition played a significant role in shaping the game’s outcome, as both teams struggled to build substantial innings on what turned out to be a challenging surface.
Conclusion: A Series of Ups and Downs
Australia’s victory not only reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also demonstrated their resilience after trailing in the series initially. Captain Pat Cummins expressed pride in his team’s performance throughout this competitive series, highlighting that it felt like a back-and-forth battle culminating in a satisfying conclusion.For India, this match served as a reminder of their vulnerabilities without key players like Bumrah. The series loss will prompt introspection as they prepare for future challenges on international tours. As cricket fans look forward to upcoming matches, Australia’s triumph sets them up favorably for the World Test Championship final against South Africa later this year. Meanwhile, India will aim to regroup and address their shortcomings as they continue their journey in international cricket. This match encapsulated not just a contest between two cricketing giants but also showcased individual brilliance against the backdrop of intense competition—an unforgettable chapter in the storied rivalry between India and Australia.
India’s WTC hopes come to an END
India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final were effectively dashed following their defeat to Australia in the fifth Test at Sydney. The loss not only marked a disappointing end to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which Australia clinched 3-1, but also dropped India’s points percentage from 52.77 to 50.00, sealing their fate in the WTC standings. With eight losses in this cycle, India now finds itself unable to recover, as they needed a victory in Sydney and hoped for Sri Lanka to sweep Australia in their upcoming series. This defeat highlights a tumultuous period for Indian cricket, characterized by inconsistency and missed opportunities, ultimately ending their chances of reaching the WTC final for the third consecutive time.
