Australia seals series 3-1 & WTC Final spot.©( @RONBupdates)
Australia triumphed in a nail-biting fifth Test against India in Sydney, securing a six-wicket victory to claim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the series 3-1. The win also confirmed Australia’s place in the June World Test Championship final at Lord’s against South Africa.
India, starting the third day at 141-6, managed to add only 16 runs to their overnight score before being bowled out for 157. Scott Boland was again the hero, delivering a sensational 6-45 performance to finish with 10 wickets in the match.
Set a target of 162 on a challenging pitch, Australia faced stiff resistance from India’s depleted attack, missing injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Despite early jitters, Australia crossed the finish line before tea, with Travis Head (34*) and debutant Beau Webster (39*) steering the team to victory.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins expressed his delight, stating, “This is unreal. Winning a series against India has been a long time coming. It’s been an amazing series, and I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved as a group.”
The series was thrilling, showcasing outstanding performances and captivating record crowds. Emerging talents like Australian opener Sam Konstas and Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy made their mark. At the same time, veterans like Rohit Sharma showed signs of nearing the end of their illustrious careers.
India had taken the series lead with a commanding win in Perth, but Australia bounced back in Adelaide. After a rain-hit draw in Brisbane, the momentum shifted decisively to Australia with a dramatic day-five victory in Melbourne, setting the stage for the Sydney decider.
The final Test began with India showing resilience, thanks to Rishabh Pant’s counter-attacking 61, which helped set up a second-innings lead. However, Boland’s precision proved too much as he dismantled India’s batting lineup on the morning of day three.
Australia’s chase started briskly, with teenager Sam Konstas attacking early to score 22 before falling to Prasidh Krishna. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith departed cheaply, balancing the game delicately. Smith, agonizingly one run short of 10,000 career Test runs, was dismissed, fending off a rising delivery.
Usman Khawaja steadied the innings with a composed 41 but fell to Mohammed Siraj, giving India a brief glimmer of hope. However, Travis Head and Beau Webster calmly guided Australia to victory, capping a memorable series.
India’s captain, Jasprit Bumrah, battling a persistent back issue, could bowl only one over in Australia’s second innings. Reflecting on the series, Bumrah acknowledged the challenges but praised his team’s efforts. “The series was well-fought. Our younger players have gained invaluable experience, which will benefit us in the future,” he said.
The Sydney Test marked a fitting conclusion to a series filled with drama, skill, and grit. For Australia, the win is a testament to their resilience and team spirit as they look ahead to defending their World Test Championship title in June.
