Australia celebrated a significant victory by reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a prestigious silverware that had remained elusive for a decade. Their success reached a new dimension at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), where they defeated India within just three days. This triumph not only restored the trophy to Australia but also secured their place in the final of the World Test Championship alongside South Africa.
India's aspirations of contending for the WTC final were heavily reliant on Jasprit Bumrah's participation. His absence was deeply felt, especially since he had been a formidable force throughout the series, leading as the highest wicket-taker for India during their tour of Australia. Due to a back injury sustained just before the final day, Bumrah was unable to contribute effectively when it mattered most. Although he managed to bat as India’s number eleven and was named Player of the Series for his overall performance, the impact of his injury loomed large over India’s capability to defend a total.
Bumrah had left the SCG on the second day for medical assessments, and when he returned on the third day, the initial indications suggested he was not prepared to bowl. He participated in minimal warm-ups and, after being dismissed without scoring, did not take the field during India's defense. Given Bumrah's history with back issues, there was a plausible concern regarding his condition, and it was imperative that the team exercised caution with his fitness.
The target of 162 runs set for Australia appeared formidable, especially considering the SCG surface, which had shown signs of considerable bounce and movement. However, it quickly became a manageable challenge as India’s new-ball bowlers, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, struggled with their control. The early overs saw them yield 12 runs via wides and extras, which highlighted their inaccuracy. Despite Prasidh’s subsequent improvement, including key wickets such as Steven Smith, the psychological toll of Bumrah's absence weighed heavily on the Indian team dynamics.
In a dismal start, India’s batting unit faltered, losing four wickets for just 16 runs in under eight overs, culminating in their second innings being restricted to a mere 157 runs. Scott Boland, who had come into the side amid fitness concerns of other players, delivered an outstanding performance, achieving his maiden ten-wicket haul in professional cricket. Having already secured four crucial wickets on the opening day, he successfully added another six to his tally, marking his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Boland’s aggressive precision at the start of the final day dismantled India's batting lineup. He initiated his day's work efficiently with a maiden over and continued to exploit the edges produced by his impeccable length. With Siraj falling prey to Boland and Bumrah being clean-bowled, Boland fitfully led Australia off the field, reveling in a thunderous reception from the SCG crowd.
In this match, Australia's captain, Pat Cummins, effectively contributed to India's struggles as he capitalized on the Indian batting fragility by dismissing key players, including Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Even though Jadeja had received a life on the previous day, Cummins ensured he would not make a large contribution by claiming his wicket with a fuller delivery that induced an edge.
Having built a healthy foundation with an opening partnership, Australia progressed quickly to a score of 39 without loss in the first few overs. Prasidh Krishna ultimately broke through for India by taking the wicket of Sam Konstas in his effort to stabilize the innings. Prasidh’s adjustment in strategy from a back-of-length approach to exploiting fuller lengths paid off as he extracted bounce and seam movement on the day of play. He made critical breakthroughs by dismissing batters who posed a threat to the Indian bowling attack.
Due to a narrow miss earlier in the series, where the SCG crowd had anticipated Steven Smith reaching his 10,000 Test runs milestone, Prasidh proved a formidable opponent by removing him just before he could achieve this personal milestone. Consequently, Smith will have to postpone his entry into the elite club until the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
As India made inroads when Usman Khawaja fell to Siraj, it sparked a glimmer of hope in the Indian camp. Unfortunately for India, the duo of Travis Head and debutant Beau Webster quickly shifted the momentum back in Australia's favor as they decisively forged a partnership. When Head unleashed an emphatic shot through covers, it signaled the beginning of an unsparing onslaught, while Webster, although less flamboyant, efficiently manipulated bowlers' lengths.
Webster’s journey to this moment was noteworthy, finally making his Test debut after years of dedication in first-class cricket. Top-scoring in Australia's first innings with 57 runs and taking a crucial wicket in the field, he continued his form into the second innings by scoring an unbeaten 39 runs off 34 deliveries, effectively sealing the match.
Australia's successful chase of 162 runs occurred in just 27 overs, underlining the stark contrast in depth and resilience between the two line-ups. India's reliance on fewer key bowlers underscored the challenges they faced throughout the series, especially given Bumrah’s absence. With Prasidh and Siraj required to account for the majority of the bowling workload, the inadequacy of options was evident, further complicating India's precarious position in this tightly contested series.
This match concluded with Australia rightfully claiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, erasing a decade-long void of triumphs against India and establishing their credentials for the upcoming World Test Championship final. The series not only highlighted the strengths of Australian cricket but also illuminated the pressing need for India to strengthen their bowling arsenal moving forward.