Australia Clinches Border-Gavaskar Trophy with Dominant Win Over India at SCG
Australia ended a 10-year wait to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, securing a decisive six-wicket victory over India in the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday.
This triumph not only sealed the series but also guaranteed Australia a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, where they will face South Africa at Lord’s in June.
Chasing a fourth-innings target of 162 on a challenging SCG pitch, Australia wrapped up the game within three days. Debutant Beau Webster played a composed knock of 39* to guide his team to victory, building on a solid foundation set by Usman Khawaja, who scored 41.
The standout performer of the match was Scott Boland, who delivered a career-best performance with a 10-wicket haul. His second-innings figures of 6-45, coupled with 4-31 in the first innings, showcased his precision and ability to generate movement. Boland’s efforts consistently troubled the Indian batters, earning him widespread praise.
India’s batting lineup struggled under pressure, managing only 157 in their second innings. While Rishabh Pant offered resistance with a counter-attacking 61, the rest of the team faltered against the relentless spells of Boland and Pat Cummins, who picked up crucial wickets.
The absence of Jasprit Bumrah proved costly for India. Sidelined with back spasms on the second day, Bumrah was unable to bowl in Australia’s second innings. Having been a standout performer throughout the tour, his absence left a significant void in India’s attack.
Australia capitalized on inconsistent bowling from Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna during their second innings. Although Prasidh claimed three wickets, including the key dismissal of Steven Smith for 33, the lack of discipline from the rest of the attack hindered India’s chances.
This victory propelled Australia to 63.73% in the WTC standings, securing their place in the final. India concluded their campaign with 50%, falling short of a chance to compete for the prestigious title.
Australia’s skipper, Pat Cummins, praised his team, stating, “Securing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and a spot in the WTC final reflects the dedication and hard work of the entire squad.”
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, saying, “We needed to perform at our peak against a strong Australian side, but unfortunately, we couldn’t rise to the occasion.”
Australia will now prepare for a two-Test series in Sri Lanka, while India looks to regroup and address their challenges ahead of upcoming fixtures.
