One man’s absence was felt greatly. Jasprit Bumrah has been the central thread that ties the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series together and has influenced its every twist and turn. However, the visitors lost count after the Indian captain and spearhead suffered back spasms.
It was a close contest, with Australia winning with two days remaining. On the third day, the hosts scored 162 for four after smashing India for 157 in two innings and chasing 162 for victory. Pat Cummins and his men cruised to a 3-1 lead with a six-wicket victory in the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Sunday (5 January 2025) afternoon. We were able to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Both Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna were initially charged with bowling wayward lines, which sparked Australia’s pursuit. The odd half-volley was well-placed and Siraj’s first over was 13. India narrowly missed Bumrah, who witnessed a meltdown from the pavilion.
In a low-scoring game, the last thing a defensive captain wants is to go wide with four byes. And it all happened while Sam Constas was hiding in Siraj. However, the impulsive opener could not be restrained against Placid and Huick’s mistake gave India a chance.
Australia had Ousmane Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne up front, making it 39-1. The latter hit a four off Prasidh but went for an ambitious touch and smashed one to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was alert at gully. The next player, Steve Smith, limped around the stumps with an exaggerated attempt to hang on, but as Prasidh took a sharp bounce, the former Australian captain got into a tangle and fired a shot at a diving Jaiswal. Ta. Australia took 58 for 3, giving hope to the Indians.
Jasprit Bumrah was presented with the Player of the Series award by Allan Border on the third day of the fifth and final Test in Sydney on January 5, 2025. Photo courtesy: Getty Images
However, there were no further alarms until lunch and the host was placed in number 71. After the break, Khawaja and Travis Head continued motoring. The former took two hits over the ropes, but against the flow of play, his half-hearted pull gave Siraj the upper hand. Australia had 4 horses with a length of 104 and was in great shape in the saddle.
Travis Head and Beau Webster staggered toward their goal. Australia were home when Head drove and hustled and Webster pulled effortlessly, forcing Washington Sundar down four forts and clenching his fist.
In the morning, in a venue filled with shades of pink as a tribute to the McGrath Foundation’s cancer awareness campaign, the Indians resumed with six overs for 141 and finished with just 8.5 overs. Ravindra Jadeja punched Cummins for four, then nibbled on another shot and watched the ball go into Alex Carey’s glove. Then Bumrah wanted to rest his back, so Siraj came in.
Meanwhile, Washington had no clue about the Cummins stump-busting weapon, which was more of a missile than a delivery, and India was holding its breath. Finally, Bumrah strode towards the pitch while Siraj fidgeted. The latter edged away, the former swiping wildly. Edges were brushed, stumps were knocked and Scott Boland had six wickets in his kitty. This day was Sunday in Australia.
scoreboard
India – 1st innings: 185 all out in 72.2 overs.
Australia – 1st innings: 181 all out in 51 overs.
India – 2nd innings: Yashasvi Jaiswal b Boland 22 (35b, 4×4), KL Rahul b Boland 13 (20b, 2×4), Shubman Gill c Carey b Webster 13 (15b, 2×4), Virat Kohli c Smith b Boland 6 (12b, 1×4), Rishabh Pant c Carry b Cummins 61 (33b, 6×4, 4×6), Ravindra Jadeja c Carey b Cummins 13 (45b, 2×4), Nitish Kumar c Cummins b Boland 4 (21b), Washington Sundar b Cummins 12 (43, 1×4), Mohammed・Shiraj c Khawaja b Boland 4 (11b), Jasprit Bumrah, Boland 0 (3b), Prasidh Krishna (not out) 1 (1b). Extras (B-4, LB-4): 8; Total (all out in 39.5 overs): 157.
Wickets fallen: 1-42 (Rahul, 7.3 overs), 2-47 (Jaiswal, 9.5), 3-59 (Kohli, 13.1), 4-78 (Gill, 15.2), 5-124 (Pant, 22.2), 6 -129 (Nitish, 27.3), 7-147 (Jadeja, 34.4), 8-156 (Washington, 38.4), 9-156 (Siraj, 39.3).
Australian bowling: Starc 4-0-36-0, Cummins 15-4-44-3, Boland 16.5-5-45-6, Webster 4-1-24-1.
Australia – Bottom of the second innings: Sam Constas c Washington b Placido 22 (17b, 3×4), Usman Khawaja c Pant b Siraj 41 (45b, 4×4), Marnus Labuschagne c Jaiwal b Placido 6 (20b, 1×4), Steve Smith c Jaiwal b Placido 4 (9b), Travis Head (not out) 34 (38b, 4×4), Beau Webster (not out) 39 (34b, 6×4). Extras (B-5, LB-2, W-8, NB-1): 16; Total (4 weeks, 27 overs): 162.
Wicket falls: 1-39 (Constas, 3.5 overs), 2-52 (Rabskagne, 7.6), 3-58 (Smith, 9.6), 4-104 (Khawaja, 18.1).
India bowling: Siraj 12-1-69-1, Prasidh 12-0-65-3, Nitish 2-0-10-0, Washington 1-0-11-0.
issued – January 5, 2025 6:26am IST
