Australia ended India’s decade-long dominance of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a decisive six-wicket victory in the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday.
This marked the first time since the 2014-15 series that the Aussies have regained the coveted trophy.
Despite the heroics of Jasprit Bumrah earlier in the series, the absence of India’s star pacer due to a back spasm in the final innings left a significant void.
Australia capitalised on the weakened Indian bowling attack to chase down a target of 162 runs in just 27 overs, sealing a 3-1 series triumph.
Australia's clinical finish
Pat Cummins’ men entered Day 3 needing to dismiss four remaining Indian wickets and keep the target manageable. The Australian bowling unit, spearheaded by Cummins and Scott Boland, delivered a ruthless performance in the morning session, bundling out India for a mere 16 runs.
In response, the Australian openers launched their chase with T20-like aggression, scoring 35 runs in the first three overs. Despite a minor stutter, which saw Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith dismissed cheaply, Travis Head (58*) and debutant Beau Webster (33*) anchored the innings, guiding their side to a comfortable win.
India’s fragile batting exposed
India’s batting woes were the primary cause of their downfall throughout the series. In 10 innings, the team crossed the 200-run mark only thrice, with their highest score of 487/6d coming in their sole victory in Perth. The lack of substantial contributions from senior batters like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma added immense pressure on the bowlers, who struggled to carry the team’s fortunes alone.
Bumrah’s brilliance amid chaos
Jasprit Bumrah was the standout performer for India, claiming 32 wickets at an astonishing average of 13.06—one of the finest bowling displays in Border-Gavaskar history.
However, his efforts were insufficient to mask the team’s frailties. Bumrah’s absence in the final innings further highlighted India’s dependence on their premier pacer.
Controversies mar series
The series was not without drama. The drama intensified with Ravichandran Ashwin's mid-series departure due to alleged dressing room tensions, reports of dressing room leaks, and Rohit Sharma's unusual on-air clarification about his exclusion. Kohli also made headlines with a controversial sandpaper gesture during the final Test, a stark reminder of the tumultuous 2018 series.
In contrast, Australia’s settled squad, bolstered by a formidable pace attack and contributions from debutants like Beau Webster, showcased remarkable consistency. The hosts prepared seamer-friendly pitches that played to their strengths, effectively neutralising India’s spin-heavy strategy.
Australia’s victory signifies a shift in the rivalry’s dynamics, with the trophy returning Down Under after years of Indian dominance. While Pat Cummins hailed his team’s resilience and strategy, questions loom over India’s leadership and team selection ahead of their next big challenge.
