Australia took back the highly coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy after ten years, having won the five-match Test series against India by 3-1. The final Test played at the Sydney Cricket Ground was won by the home team comprehensively by six wickets.
Crushing Victory in Sydney
In the final Test, India set a pale target of 162 runs in its second innings after being bowled out for 157. Australia’s bowling unit, spearheaded by Scott Boland (6/45) and Pat Cummins (3/44), saw off the Indian batting line-up in just 39.5 overs and the resistance came only from Rishabh Pant’s resilient 61 and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 22.
Australian batters Usman Khawaja (41), Travis Head (34*), and debutant Beau Webster (39*) ensured a comfortable chase, sealing victory in just 27 overs.
WTC Final Qualification
This series win ensured Australia’s qualification for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final. With a Points Percentage (PCT) of 63.73, Australia joined South Africa, who had already qualified earlier with a PCT of 66.67. The WTC final will be held at Lord’s from June 11 to 15, 2025.
India’s Campaign Ends in Disappointment
The whole series was plagued by injuries and inconsistent performances on the part of India, under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, who won the Player of the Series award after grabbing 32 wickets in just five matches, missed the final innings due to a back spasm.
India’s bowling attack was gravely affected with Bumrah absent from the scene. Prasidh Krishna (3/65) and Mohammed Siraj (1/69) failed to match Bumrah’s intensity, as the Australians chased down the target rather easily.
Exposed Weaknesses in Indian Team
India’s performance highlighted glaring weaknesses, particularly in their batting lineup. Overreliance on a few players and the failure of middle-order batsmen raised concerns about the team’s depth. The tour also underscored India’s transition phase as they struggled to find consistent performances across all departments.
Series Recap
First Test (Perth): India claimed a strong victory, setting the tone for the series.
Adelaide Test: Australia responded with an emphatic win.
Brisbane Test: The third test was a draw that kept the series level
Melbourne Test: Australia regained the lead after winning the fourth test
Sydney Test: Australia sealed the series with another dominating performance.
While Australia is now focused on the WTC final, India is at a critical juncture of introspection. Several senior players are nearing the end of their careers, and the team needs to rebuild and address its vulnerabilities to compete at the highest level.
