Australia triumphed over India by six wickets on the third day of the fifth and final Test in Sydney on Sunday, securing a 3-1 series victory and reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from the visitors.
This marks Australia’s first Test series win over India since the 2014/15 season. India’s defeat also means they will miss out on a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final, failing to qualify for the first time.
India resumed play on day three at 141/6 but could only add 16 more runs before being bowled out for 157. Australian bowler Scott Boland was the standout performer, claiming six wickets.
All eyes were on India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, whose fitness had been in question after he had left the field on day two for medical scans. Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna later confirmed that Bumrah had suffered a back spasm. Despite this, Bumrah returned to bat, but he was dismissed for a duck, bowled by Boland on just the third delivery. He did not bowl in Australia’s second innings.
With 162 runs required for victory, Australia found themselves at 71/3 at lunch, after Krishna took the wickets of Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith. Mohammed Siraj added to the pressure post-lunch by removing Usman Khawaja. However, Travis Head and Test debutant Beau Webster combined for a match-winning, unbroken 58-run partnership, leading Australia to victory.
Boland was named Player of the Match for his impressive 10-wicket haul in the Test. Bumrah, despite his injury, was awarded Player of the Series for his outstanding 32 wickets, the most in the series.
Australia’s journey to victory included a tough start, with India winning the series opener in Perth by 295 runs. However, the Australians bounced back strongly, winning the next two Tests in Adelaide and Melbourne by 10 wickets and 184 runs, respectively. The final match in Brisbane ended in a draw, sealing the series win.
