India vs Australia 5th Test: Must-Win Clash for India to Retain Border-Gavaskar Trophy

India faces Australia in a crucial Sydney Test with Jasprit Bumrah set to lead, as Rohit Sharma is likely to miss out.

Sydney [Australia], January 2: The fifth and final Test between India and Australia kicks off on Friday at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), with the series hanging in balance. After a thrilling victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia leads 2-1, leaving India in a must-win situation to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Key Challenges for India

India’s batting lineup remains a significant concern, with senior players struggling for form throughout the series. The burden has fallen on young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, who have shown resilience against Australia’s formidable bowling attack.

Jasprit Bumrah has been India’s standout performer with the ball, consistently troubling Australian batters. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s steady performances at the top order have been a key factor in keeping India competitive.

Australia’s Strengths

For Australia, Travis Head has been a game-changer, delivering match-winning centuries earlier in the series. Although he had a quieter outing in the fourth Test, he remains a potent threat on the traditionally batting-friendly SCG pitch.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

The Sydney pitch typically favors batters early on, with spinners gaining dominance in the latter stages of the game. However, rain is forecasted on Thursday and the final day, potentially giving fast bowlers an added advantage. The toss is expected to play a crucial role, with teams likely to opt for batting first to capitalize on early conditions.

Leadership Shakeup for India

Indian captain Rohit Sharma is expected to miss the final Test, with Jasprit Bumrah likely to lead the side. Addressing Rohit’s absence, head coach Gautam Gambhir said:
“Everything is fine with Rohit, and we will announce the playing XI tomorrow after evaluating the pitch. Our focus remains on winning this crucial match.”

Mitchell Starc’s Fitness Boost for Australia

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who faced fitness concerns during the Melbourne Test, has been declared fit for the Sydney encounter. Australian captain Pat Cummins praised Starc’s resilience:
“He has been bowling at 145 km/hr for nearly 15 years. Starc never complains, never backs down, and refuses to sit out unless absolutely necessary.”

Probable Playing XIs:

• Australia XI: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
• India Probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

The stage is set for an exciting showdown at the SCG, with both teams looking to leave an indelible mark on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.