In a gripping finale to one of the most competitive and dramatic Test series in recent memory, Australia registered a comprehensive six-wicket victory over India in the fifth and final Test in Sydney on Sunday to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2014-15. With this win, Australia wrapped up a 3-1 series victory, marking a dominant return to BGT supremacy. Beau Webster (39) and Travis Head (34) hammered winning runs to power Australia to a historic series win against India.
Earlier, India winning the toss and opting to bat first, scored (185) in their first innings, with their top-order again making no progress. Their decision was quickly proven to be a poor one as they struggled to build partnerships against Australia’s searing bowling attack. Pant (40) scored the most to guide India to a fighting score.
Australia's pace attack led by ever-reliable Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland restricted India to a modest total. They bowled in tandem and contributed to the downfall of India's top order.
Australia, in their first innings, too faced a stiff challenge from Indian bowlers as they kept up the intensity to limit Australia to (181) runs in their first innings. Debutant Beau Webster stood up for Australia, smacking (57) runs to drag the side to a comprehensive total. This left Australia trailing by just four runs.
In their second innings, India found themselves in a similar predicament. Australia’s bowlers once again flexed their muscles, with Boland and Cummins wreaking havoc and claiming six and three wickets respectively. Once again, Rishabh Pant resisted Australian attack to bring up (61) to power the side to 157. This helped India set Australia a target of just (162) runs. Australia, in their chase lost early wickets, yet they got off to a fine start with Khawaja and Konstas cracking (41) and (22) respectively.