Australia vs India 5th Test Tips & Preview - Can India level the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series?

By Nikhil Kalro

31 Dec 2024

Nikhil Kalro 31 Dec 2024

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Australia leads series after winning fourth Test by 184 runs
Pat Cummins's leadership pivotal; Australia needs one more win for WTC Final spot
India's form concerns, especially key players; adjustments possible for Sydney

Rohit Sharma after being dismissed by Pat Cummins (Getty Images)

Australia vs India Fifth Test Preview
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Australia Team News
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India Team News

Australia vs India Fifth Test Preview

India were unable to stave off a resurgent Australia on the fifth day in the Boxing Day Test, and eventually lost the fourth Test by 184 runs as the hosts took an unassailable lead in the series.

Having to play out the fifth day to wriggle out a draw, India were looking comfortable at one point with three wickets down with a session to go.

Australia then brought out their discipline and patience to slowly chip away at India’s batting, eventually bowling them out for 155 in Melbourne. The win was built on terrific performances from their captain Pat Cummins with ball and bat.

In the first innings, Australia scored 474, led by Steven Smith’s 140 off just 197 balls. Sam Konstas (60 off 65), Usman Khawaja (57 off 121) and Marnus Labuschagne (72 off 145) all contributed vital fifties while Cummins chipped in with 49.

In response, India were reeling at one point before a terrific hundred from Nitish Kumar Reddy pulled the visitors out of the mire.

India had Australia on the mat at 91 for 6 in the second innings but fighting knocks from Labuschagne and Cummins carried them to a lead of 339. Jaiswal scored his second fifty of the match in the second innings but India were comfortably bowled out with more than 10 overs to spare on the final day.

Australia Form

Australia have plenty to smile about after their win in Melbourne because a victory in Sydney will guarantee they qualify for the WTC Final at Lord’s.

The hosts produced a sparkling performance of class and discipline on both ends, which will give them plenty of confidence and momentum going into the Sydney test.

"It's a short turnaround," Cummins said. "I think we'll definitely savour this one. You work so hard over five days to win a Test match like this.

"I'm sure there'll be a lot of sitting around tonight and a couple of beers, a couple of boys might have a beer, some others might have water and some protein shakes and an early night.

"I'm sure the batters will have a hit. The bowlers, I dare say, will be very light on [training], and then you gear up again for the last Test of the [home] summer."

Australia Team News

Australia are unlikely to tinker with their winning combination too much going into the final Test of the home summer before their tour to Sri Lanka.

India Form

India have lots of headaches going into the final Test in Sydney, not least the form of their two most experienced batters: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

With India’s batting faltering in this series, there will be a lot of emphasis on this final Test to see how these two respond in trying conditions against a terrific bowling line-up.

India Team News

There is concern around Jasprit Bumrah’s workload. He bowled more than 50 overs in Melbourne, which is the most he has bowled in a Test.

However, with a must-win, India will likely stick with their best combination. Shubman Gill could come in for the final Test.

"To be honest, he has bowled a lot of overs. There is no doubt about it. But again, every Test match we play, we keep that in mind. You know, the workloads of all the bowlers in fact.

"But again, if somebody is in such a great form, you want to try and maximise that form how much ever you can. And that is what we've been trying to do with Bumrah,” Rohit Sharma said.

Verdict

Australia v India

India have too many holes that need plugging in a short duration. That may not be possible with the troubling form of some of their batters. Australia, on the other hand, have done so much well and will continue to take that confidence into Sydney for the New Year’s Test.