Australia win Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India for first time in decade

SYDNEY: Australia triumphed over India in a thrilling fifth Test in Sydney on Sunday, winning by six wickets to seal the series 3-1 and secure a spot in the World Test Championship final.

India were dismissed just 45 minutes into the morning session on day three for 157, adding only 16 runs to their overnight score of 141-6. Scott Boland dominated with figures of 6-45, taking 10 wickets in the match.

Set 162 to win, the hosts reached their target before tea despite missing injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. The victory marked Australia's return to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a gap of nearly a decade, since 2014-15.

Australia lost three wickets before lunch, including Steve Smith, who fell agonizingly short of becoming just the 15th player, and the fourth Australian, to score 10,000 Test runs. However, Usman Khawaja steadied the ship with a composed 41, while Travis Head (34*) and debutant Beau Webster (39*) saw the team through.

"This is unreal, this (a series win against India) is one that a few of us didn't have. It's been an amazing series [...] it's really lived up to all the hype," said Australia’s captain Pat Cummins.

"I'm immensely proud. I love playing with these guys, they are such a special group. I feel privileged to have this job and what we have been able to achieve together. [I'm] pretty satisfied at the moment," he added.

The win ensured Australia’s place in the World Test Championship final in June at Lord’s, where they will face South Africa.

The series was packed with dramatic moments, record crowds, and outstanding individual performances. Young players like Australian opener Sam Konstas and Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy impressed, while veterans like Rohit Sharma showed the challenges that come with time.

India won the first match in Perth convincingly, but Australia fought back in the day-night Test in Adelaide. The rain-affected Brisbane match ended in a draw, and Australia carried the momentum into Sydney with a dramatic day-five win in Melbourne.

Bumrah, who had been struggling with a back issue, briefly batted in India’s second innings before leaving the field again on Saturday. He did not return for the remainder of the match, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna leading the bowling attack, while Virat Kohli took over as captain.

"A little frustrating, but sometimes you have to respect your body, and you can't fight your body," Bumrah commented. "The whole series was well fought. Younger players have come in, and the learnings will help us in the future."

As the game progressed, Australia’s chase seemed difficult due to the deteriorating pitch, but Konstas and Khawaja raced to 35 off the first three overs, with Konstas taking an aggressive approach. However, Konstas fell for 22 after an unnecessary shot, caught by Washington Sundar at mid-off.

Prasidh then dismissed Marnus Labuschagne for six, caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal at slip, before Smith was dismissed for four. Khawaja, who had a poor series overall, struck a few elegant boundaries, but he was dismissed for 41 after mistiming a pull shot off Siraj, with wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant taking the edge.

With India regaining some hope, Travis Head and Beau Webster took control, guiding Australia to victory.

India had begun the day with a counter-attacking 61 from Pant, extending their lead after Australia was bowled out for 181 in response to India's 185.

Ravindra Jadeja, who resumed on eight, was dismissed for five after edging Pat Cummins to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Cummins struck again to dismiss Sundar for 12. Then, Boland’s excellent spell saw Siraj edge to Khawaja at slip before Bumrah was bowled out by Boland, bringing an end to India's innings.