Australia win 5th test & regain BGT , qualifies for WTC final

 

The result of the Sydney Test seemed inevitable by the end of Day 2, and the match concluded well before the third day’s close. Without Jasprit Bumrah, India succumbed to Australia, losing by six wickets. Despite captain Rohit Sharma stepping aside for the team’s betterment due to his poor form, India couldn’t avoid a series defeat. Australia claimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1, their first triumph in the series since the 2014-15 season.

India resumed Day 3 at 141 for 6 but could add little to their total. Early in the morning, Ravindra Jadeja (13), Washington Sundar (12), Mohammed Siraj (4), and Bumrah (0) were dismissed in quick succession, leaving India bowled out for 157. This set Australia a target of 162 runs for victory.

Cummins struck first inducing an edge from Jadeja to be caught behind and then bowled Sundar to get 3 wickets . Boland mopped up the tail swiftly to get 6 wickets for the innings .

Bumrah’s absence from the bowling attack was a significant blow for India. After bowling just one over on Saturday post-lunch, he left the field due to a back injury. Although he batted on Sunday morning, he did not return to bowl. Virat Kohli led the side in Bumrah’s absence, but the Indian management opted not to risk him further despite his attempt to bowl during the warm-up.

Chasing 162, Australia faced some early hiccups against the depleted Indian bowling attack but eventually secured victory. Kohli relied heavily on Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh managed to create some pressure by taking three wickets, reducing Australia to 58 for 3 at one stage. However, with a modest target, Australia’s batters regained control.

Sam Constas (22) caught off a skier , Steve Smith (4) caught at point off a rising delivery , and Marnus Labuschagne (6) caught at gully  were all dismissed cheaply by Krishna , but Usman Khawaja (41) held one end firm playing some fluent strokes . When Siraj dismissed Khawaja, Australia was already within touching distance of victory. Steve Smith narrowly missed reaching the 10,000 Test runs milestone by just one run.

Travis Head (34*) and Beau Webster (39*) ensured there were no further setbacks, guiding Australia to victory with an unbeaten partnership and playing an array of sparkling shots . The Australian batters scored briskly throughout the innings, maintaining an impressive run rate of nearly six per over. In just 27 overs, Pat Cummins’ side chased down the target, finishing at 162 for 4.

Prasidh Krishna was India’s standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 65 runs, while Siraj managed 1 wicket for 69 runs. However, apart from brief sparks of brilliance, India’s bowling attack struggled to trouble the Australian batters, leaving them with much to reflect on after a disappointing series defeat.

Thus Australia regained the Border Gavaskar trophy after 10 years with a better ovrerall team performance than India . With the 3-1 series win , their final spot in the WTC final is assured . Australia are at the second spot in the World Test Championship standings and they are now in an unassailable position from the 3rd placed team that is India who have completed their WTC 2023-25 cycle  fixtures . Sri Lanka is the 4th team in the standings and even a 2-0 series win over Australia wont help them to replace the Aussies at the 2nd spot or put Australia at 3rd position of the table . Thus it will be a mouth watering Australia vs South Africa clash at Lords for the WTC 2023-25 Final