The cricketing world is abuzz as Australia and India prepare to face off in the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), starting January 3, 2025. With Australia leading the series 2-1, this match holds significant importance for both teams. A victory for Australia would secure their first series win against India in a decade, while India aims to level the series and keep their World Test Championship (WTC) hopes alive.
Match Preview
Australia enters the SCG Test with momentum, having secured a convincing 184-run victory in the fourth Test at Melbourne. Their bowlers, led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, have consistently troubled the Indian batting lineup. The inclusion of debutant Beau Webster, replacing the underperforming Mitchell Marsh, adds a fresh dynamic to their squad. citeturn0news30
India, on the other hand, faces challenges both on and off the field. Speculation surrounds captain Rohit Sharma’s place in the playing XI due to his recent poor form, averaging just 24.52 over the past year. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has remained non-committal about Sharma’s inclusion, stating that the final decision will depend on pitch conditions. But recent reports have revealed that Rohit has been dropped for this match, with Jasprit Bumrah set to lead. Akash Deep has also been ruled out due to back injury, and Prasidh Krishna is expected to replace him.
Probable Playing XI
Australia: 1. David Warner 2. Usman Khawaja 3. Marnus Labuschagne 4. Steve Smith 5. Travis Head 6. Beau Webster 7. Alex Carey (wk) 8. Pat Cummins (c) 9. Mitchell Starc 10. Nathan Lyon 11. Scott Boland
India: 1. Yashasvi Jaiswal 2. Shubman Gill 3. Virat Kohli 4. KL Rahul 5. Rishabh Pant (wk) 6. Ravindra Jadeja 7. Ravichandran Ashwin 8. Mohammed Siraj 9. Jasprit Bumrah 10. Prasidh Krishna 11. Washington Sundar
Weather and Pitch Report
The weather forecast for Sydney during the Test match indicates generally pleasant conditions, with temperatures ranging from 76°F (25°C) to 92°F (34°C). The first three days are expected to be sunny and warm, with increasing cloud cover and a chance of showers on the fourth and fifth days. This could introduce variability in playing conditions as the match progresses.
The SCG pitch traditionally offers assistance to spinners as the game advances, making the role of spin bowlers crucial in the latter stages. Batters may find scoring easier in the initial days, but as the pitch deteriorates, spinners are likely to come into play, potentially influencing team selection strategies.
Key Players
Australia:
- Travis Head: Head has been in exceptional form, amassing 410 runs in the series at an average of 58.57, including two centuries. His aggressive batting has provided Australia with crucial middle-order stability.
- Pat Cummins: The Australian captain has led from the front, claiming 20 wickets in the series at an average of 22.65. His ability to deliver breakthroughs at critical junctures has been instrumental in Australia’s success. citeturn0search1
India:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: The young opener has been a revelation, scoring 359 runs at an average of 51.28, including a century. His resilience at the top of the order has been a positive for India’s batting lineup.
- Jasprit Bumrah: Bumrah has been India’s standout bowler, taking 30 wickets at an impressive average of 12.83. His pace and accuracy have consistently troubled the Australian batters.
Match Prediction
Considering the current form and momentum, Australia appears to have the upper hand going into the SCG Test. Their batting lineup has shown depth, and the bowling attack, spearheaded by Cummins and Starc, has been effective against the Indian batters. The inclusion of Beau Webster adds an element of unpredictability that could work in their favour.
India’s chances hinge on significant contributions from their senior batters and the ability of their bowlers to exploit any assistance from the pitch. The uncertainty surrounding Rohit Sharma’s participation and the team’s recent batting collapses add to their challenges.
While cricket is inherently unpredictable, and the SCG has witnessed remarkable turnarounds in the past, Australia’s current form and home advantage make them the favourites to clinch the series with a victory in Sydney.
