January 2, 2025: Ahead of the highly anticipated final match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed his extreme confidence in his team’s ability to win the Sydney Test and finish the series on a high. Despite the setback in the Melbourne Test, where Australia clinched a commanding 184-run victory and took a 2-1 lead in the series, Gambhir remains optimistic and upbeat about India’s chances.
In a pre-match press conference, Gambhir shared his belief that the Indian squad has the right skill set and the individuals capable of achieving success in Sydney, not just for this match but also for future challenges. He said, “Extremely, extremely confident. You know, we’ve got the skill set, we’ve got the individuals, we’ve got everything in the dressing room that can win a test match here. Not only here, but probably go on to do some unbelievable things in the future as well.” His statement underscores the belief he has in his team, emphasizing that they possess the talent and mindset to overcome any adversity.
However, India will have to make a forced change to their lineup for the final Test as pacer Akash Deep has been ruled out due to a back injury. Gambhir confirmed that the 28-year-old pacer will not be part of the playing XI, adding that the team would have to adjust without him. The absence of Akash Deep is a significant blow, given the importance of a strong pace attack in Australian conditions, but Gambhir’s confidence remains unwavering.
The squad for the final Test will feature some key players, with Rohit Sharma leading the side, and key batters like KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill expected to carry India’s batting hopes. Rishabh Pant will continue his role as wicketkeeper, and the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar will be key on the Sydney pitch. The fast-bowling contingent, featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna, will need to step up in the absence of Akash Deep.
The squad for the Sydney Test is as follows:
India Squad:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- KL Rahul
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Washington Sundar
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Akash Deep (out due to injury)
- Mohammed Siraj
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Prasidh Krishna
- Shubman Gill
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Tanush Kotian
- Dhruv Jurel
- Harshit Rana
India’s objective is clear: to finish the series strong, and Gambhir’s confidence is a strong indicator that the team is ready to put up a solid fight. Despite the setback of missing out on a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, India has everything to play for in the final match, and Gambhir is hopeful that the players will rise to the occasion. The match will be a true test of the team’s resilience and determination, with fans eagerly awaiting to see how they respond on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
