Aus vs Ind 5th Test: Australia defeated India by 6 wickets in the fifth and final Test in Sydney on Sunday, January 5, 2025, to win the five-match series 3-1. This victory marked a historic moment for Australia as they secured their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 10 years. The match, which ended well within three days, showcased an impressive performance from the Australian team, with both their bowlers and batsmen playing a key role in the win.
Australia Wraps Up Win with a Dominant Performance
The Sydney Cricket Ground was filled with excitement as Australia displayed remarkable skill throughout the match. Their bowling effort restricted India to low scores, while their batsmen easily chased down the 162-run target in 27 overs. Debutant all-rounder Beau Webster played a crucial role in sealing the victory, hitting the winning runs to take Australia to the target. He remained unbeaten on 39 runs off 34 balls, smashing six fours. Travis Head also contributed with an unbeaten 34 runs, including four boundaries.
Usman Khawaja was the highest scorer for Australia in the chase, making an important 41 runs off 45 balls. Together, Khawaja and Head built a solid 46-run partnership to bring Australia closer to victory.
India’s Early Resistance Fades Away
India fought back initially in the second innings with Prasidh Krishna taking three early wickets. He dismissed Sam Konstas (22), Marnus Labuschagne (6), and Steve Smith (4) in the first session, giving India some hope. However, Khawaja’s resilience and his partnership with Head turned the game in Australia’s favor. Khawaja was eventually dismissed for 41 by Mohammed Siraj, but by then, the target was within reach for the hosts.
The partnership between Head and Webster added 58 runs for the fifth wicket, ensuring that Australia crossed the finish line without any more setbacks. India’s hopes were further dashed when Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out before play began on Day 3 due to a back issue after a warm-up session.
India’s Struggles Continue in the Series
India’s batting issues were evident throughout the series, with several key players failing to perform. Regular captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli both struggled with technical issues, and their form was inconsistent. Youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal was the top scorer for India, accumulating 391 runs despite three ducks. He was followed by rookie Nitish Kumar Reddy (298 runs), KL Rahul (276 runs), and Rishabh Pant (255 runs), but India’s overall performance was below expectations. Australia’s victory in this series secured them a spot in the World Test Championship final, where they will face South Africa at Lord’s in June 2025.
