Glenn McGrath had predicted before the Sydney Test began: “Without Jasprit Bumrah, this series could become one-sided.”
Today, on the third day of the Sydney Test, McGrath’s words echoed repeatedly. Due to injury, Bumrah could not bowl. India also failed to challenge Australia significantly as they chased a target of 162 in the fourth innings. Despite an early stumble, Australia comfortably reached their target, losing only four wickets.
Australia clinched the Sydney Test by six wickets and, with it, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in 10 years. Pat Cummins’ team has also secured a spot in the Test Championship final in June. India, which had won four consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophies, not only lost this series 3–1 but was also eliminated from the Test Championship.
Australia lost three wickets for just 58 runs in their chase. Prasidh Krishna, returning to Tests after a year, dismissed Sam Constance, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steven Smith.
At that point, India had a decent chance, with Australia still needing 104 runs. However, the absence of Bumrah made the battle slightly easier for Usman Khawaja and Travis Head. Throughout the series, Bumrah had been India’s most formidable bowler, constantly testing the Australian batting lineup. Until he left the field due to injury yesterday, he had taken 32 wickets, while no other Indian bowler managed even 20.
Unable to bowl due to his injury, Bumrah did come out to bat this morning but did not take the field for the rest of the day. In his absence, Krishna and Mohammed Siraj gave their best efforts. However, the fourth-wicket partnership of 44 runs between Khawaja and Head gave Australia a strong advantage. Head then guided the team to victory alongside Matthew Webster.
In the unbroken 58-run partnership, Webster made the greater contribution. Having scored a fifty in his debut Test innings, the all-rounder remained unbeaten on 39 off 34 balls. It was Webster who hit the winning boundary off Washington Sundar. Head also remained unbeaten, scoring 34 off 34 balls.
At the end of the day, Scott Boland was named the Player of the Match. India’s last four wickets fell for just 16 runs this morning, primarily due to Boland’s devastating spell. Playing his third match in place of Josh Hazlewood, Boland took six wickets for 45 runs.
Despite Bumrah being the highest wicket-taker of the series and earning the Player of the Series award, the ultimate glory belonged to Australia. After winning their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy since the 2014–15 season, Cummins’ team has also qualified for their second consecutive Test Championship final.
Australia will face South Africa in the Test Championship final at Lord’s in June. For India, who played in the final last time, the journey ends here, along with their ownership of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they had retained for four consecutive editions.
Scores:
India: 185 & 157 (Pant 61, Jaiswal 22; Boland 6/45, Cummins 3/44)
Australia: 181 & 162/4 (Khawaja 41, Webster 39, Head 34; Krishna 3/65)
Result: Australia won by six wickets
Player of the Match: Scott Boland
Series: Australia won the five-match series 3–1
Player of the Series: Jasprit Bumrah
