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On Sunday, January 5, the Australian cricket team registered a convincing six-wicket win over India in the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) to win the series by 3-1 margin. The third day of the Sydney Test saw Australia restrict India to 157 runs in 39.5 overs, thus posting a target of 162. However, the hosts chased the total inside 27 overs, to win the fifth and final Test by six wickets.
Earlier in the match, India had won the toss and elected to bat first. On the back of Rishabh Pant’s 98-ball 40, India posted 185 runs on the board. For Australia, Scott Boland was the star with the ball, picking a four-fer, whereas Mitchell Starc picked three and Pat Cummins got two to his names. The visitors then restricted the hosts to 181, taking four-run lead as they kickstarted their second innings.
Australia reclaim BGT after 10 years; to face South Africa in WTC Final at Lord's
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant once again stood up on this occasion as he scored second fastest fifty for India in Australia by balls, playing a quickfire 61 off 33 deliveries. Despite him, none of the Indian batters rose up for the side. This time again, Scott Boland starred with his six-wicket haul in his 16.5 overs spell in the second Indian innings.
Chasing a target of 162, Usman Khawaja played a gritty knock of 41 off 45 deliveries, along with double-digit scores coming from the bat of Sam Konstas (22 off 17), Travis Head (34* off 38) and Beau Webster (39* off 34). The unbeaten partnership from Travis Head and Sydney Test debutant Beau Webster guided the hosts to a six-wicket win and clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years. While Boland received the Player of the Match award for his 10-wicket haul, Jasprit Bumrah was named the Player of Series despite India losing it as he finished with 32 wickets, highest by an Indian on Australian soil.
With this win, Australia also confirmed their place in the World Test Championship final, set to be played at the Lord’s Cricket Ground from June 11 to 15. The Pat Cummins-led side will eye to retain the WTC mace as they take on South Africa in the final later this year in London.
