Jasprit Bumrah couldn’t bowl due to a back injury, and Australia clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years with a 6-wicket victory in the Sydney Test.
As Australia began their run chase, all eyes were on the Indian team. Was Jasprit Bumrah on the field? When the Indian players formed a circle on the ground, Bumrah was notably absent. Instead, Virat Kohli was seen addressing his teammates. That moment seemed to seal the match’s fate. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna fought valiantly, but no one in world cricket can currently replace Bumrah’s impact.
Without Bumrah, Australia had a golden opportunity. Though Prasidh’s three wickets rattled them slightly, Pat Cummins’ side stayed on course. With the 6-wicket win in Sydney, Australia regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and secured their place in the ICC Test Championship final for the second consecutive time.
Australia last won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the 2014-15 series, clinching it 2-0. Since then, India had dominated, winning four consecutive series—two in Australia and two in India. Finally, Pat Cummins and his team reclaimed the trophy on home soil.
Starting the third day at 141/6, India managed to add only 16 more runs, ending their innings at 157. Scott Boland was the standout bowler, taking six wickets in the innings and completing a 10-wicket haul for the match—his first in Test cricket.
Australia’s target was 162. Despite losing three quick wickets for 59, they cruised to victory without much trouble. On a pitch with unpredictable bounce, Bumrah’s absence was keenly felt, as his presence would have undoubtedly made things much tougher for Australia. Throughout the series, the battle had essentially been between Bumrah and Australia.
The 3-1 series scoreline might suggest dominance, but this was a closely contested series. Bumrah was India’s standout performer, taking a record 32 wickets in a single series as an Indian bowler in Australia. However, a back problem prevented him from bowling in the final innings, and India couldn’t retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
On the third morning, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar came in with hopes of extending India’s lead but couldn’t withstand Australia’s pace attack. In the third over of the day, Jadeja hit a boundary off Pat Cummins but got caught behind soon after for 13. Sundar followed in the next over, bowled by Cummins for 12.
Scott Boland then wrapped up the innings, taking the last two wickets in three deliveries. He dismissed Mohammed Siraj to complete his five-wicket haul and bowled Bumrah to secure 10 wickets in the match. Interestingly, Boland wouldn’t have even played this game if Josh Hazlewood had been fit.
India lost their last three wickets for just one run. Boland’s 10/76 is the first such feat by an Australian pacer at Sydney in 25 years, with Glenn McGrath being the last to achieve it against India.
Australia’s chase began with a boundary from a wide delivery, setting the tone. Sam Constas played aggressively, scoring 22 off 17 before getting caught off Prasidh Krishna. Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith also fell quickly to Prasidh, with Smith missing out on the 10,000 Test run milestone by just one run.
At 71/3 during lunch, Usman Khawaja held one end steady. After the break, he became more aggressive, hitting quick boundaries before being dismissed for 41 by Siraj, who reached his 100th Test wicket milestone.
Despite Khawaja’s departure, Travis Head and debutant Beau Webster ensured Australia’s victory with an unbeaten 58-run stand off just 53 balls. Head scored 34* while Webster impressed with 39* off 34 balls, finishing the game in style with a boundary.
India’s lack of a third specialist pacer hurt them, as Bumrah’s absence left them heavily reliant on Siraj and Prasidh. While the duo tried their best, the balance of the attack was affected.
Australia chased 162 in just 27 overs at a run rate of 6—making it the fastest fourth-innings chase of 150+ runs on Australian soil.
After the match, debutant Beau Webster, who had earlier said he hoped his batting wouldn’t be needed, lived up to his word and sealed the win with confidence. The 31-year-old celebrated with his teammates as the Sydney crowd erupted in joy.
Match Summary:
- India 1st Innings: 185
- Australia 1st Innings: 181
- India 2nd Innings: 157 (Jadeja 13, Sundar 12; Boland 6/45, Cummins 3/44)
- Australia 2nd Innings: 162/4 (Khawaja 41, Head 34*, Webster 39*; Prasidh 3/65)
Result: Australia won by 6 wickets.
Series: Australia won 3-1 in the 5-match series.
Player of the Match: Scott Boland.
Player of the Series: Jasprit Bumrah.
