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The fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between Australia and India is set to commence on January 3, 2025, at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). With Australia leading the series 2-1, this match is crucial for both teams. A victory for Australia would not only secure them the series but also strengthen their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, potentially easing their path to the WTC final. Conversely, India aim to salvage pride and retain the trophy they have successfully defended in previous encounters. To level the series at 2-2, India must win this match, which is essential for their hopes of qualifying for the WTC final.
Australia enter this Test with momentum following a comprehensive victory in the fourth match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where they defeated India by 184 runs. The Australian squad includes captain Pat Cummins, vice-captains Travis Head and Steve Smith, and key players like Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan Lyon. However, they will need to monitor Mitchell Starc‘s fitness as he remains a crucial part of their bowling attack. On the Indian side, captain Rohit Sharma leads a talented lineup featuring stars like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. The Indian team boast a strong bowling contingent with Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah expected to play pivotal roles.
AUS vs IND: Head-to-head record in Test cricket
- Test matches played: 111
- Australia won: 47
- India won: 33
- Drawn matches: 30
- Australia’s highest total against India: 674
- Australia’s lowest total Against India: 83
- India’s highest total against Australia: 705/7
- India’s lowest total against Australia: 36
Test stats and records at Sydney Cricket Ground
- Total Matches: 114
- Matches won batting first: 47
- Matches won bowling first: 43
- Average 1st innings Score: 318
- Average 2nd innings Score: 311
- Average 3rd innings Score: 249
- Average 4th innings Score: 169
- Highest total recorded: 705/7 (187.3 Ov) by India vs Australia
- Lowest total recorded: 42/10 (37.3 Ov) by Australia vs England
Also READ: AUS vs IND: Dhruv Jurel to replace Rishabh Pant in Sydney Test – Report
Sydney Cricket Ground Pitch Report:
The pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for the fifth Test between Australia and India is expected to provide a balanced contest between bat and ball. Historically, the SCG surface tends to be good for batting in the early stages, allowing batters to settle in and score runs. However, as the match progresses, it often begins to assist spinners, particularly on days four and five, making spin a crucial factor in the latter stages of the game. The pitch may also show some wear and tear, leading to variable bounce, which could challenge the batters. Overall, conditions are anticipated to be favourable for an exciting contest, with clear skies promising uninterrupted play throughout the match. Teams will need to strategize accordingly, especially regarding their bowling line-ups as the game unfolds.
Squads:
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head (vc), Steve Smith (vc), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Tanush Kotian, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Devdutt Padikkal
