Australia have crushed India by six wickets within the fifth Check of their five-match sequence and received again the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the primary time in a decade.
The hosts held their nerve to chase down their victory goal of 162 after lunch on the third day of the ultimate Check in Sydney on Sunday, prompting wild celebrations from their camp as in addition they sealed a spot within the World Check Championship ultimate towards South Africa at Lord’s in June.
Travis Head, who was 34 not out, and debutant Beau Webster, unbeaten on 39, received their crew over the road to finish the sequence on a excessive.
“It’s unreal, it’s been an incredible sequence,” Australia skipper Pat Cummins mentioned shortly after the win.
“It felt prefer it was sort of seesawing all through the entire sequence so to complete it 3-1, to carry the trophy, is an incredible feeling,” he added.
“I’m immensely proud, I completely love enjoying with these guys and it’s been plenty of enjoyable alongside the best way as effectively.”
India captain Jasprit Bumrah was unable to bowl in Australia’s second innings due to a again concern however his fellow tempo bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj stored the match on a knife edge by eradicating 4 top-order Australian batters.
The match had been performed on quick ahead over the primary two days with 15 wickets falling on Saturday, and Australia eliminated 4 extra within the first hour on Sunday morning to dismiss India for 157.
The observe retained some spice, and Krishna stood up in Bumrah’s stead and despatched again opener Sam Konstas for 22, Marnus Labuschagne for six and Steve Smith for 4 earlier than lunch.
Smith trudged off, head bowed, on 9,999 profession runs, and was adopted quickly after the break by Usman Khawaja, who was caught behind off Siraj for 41 to go away Australia on 104-4.
The top of a topsy-turvy Check, the place the momentum had shifted by the over, got here virtually as an anti-climax for an additional huge crowd bathing within the sunshine at Sydney Cricket Floor.
Head and Webster received the job achieved with an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 58, the latter persevering with his nerveless debut by clubbing the successful runs with a straight 4.
“It was just a little irritating however generally you need to respect your physique,” mentioned Bumrah, who was named Participant of the Collection for his 32 wickets over the 5 matches.
“It was an ideal sequence. The entire sequence was well-fought and we have been nonetheless within the match at the moment. Our younger gamers will take plenty of learnings for the long run.”
The majority of the Australian aspect has been collectively for years and beating India remained an elusive aim for a lot of of them.
Solely Smith, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc have been a part of the squad that performed within the final sequence win over their rivals a decade in the past.
It was Cummins’ twentieth win as captain.
“It’s one which just a few of us didn’t have. The boys have had their eye on it and it has lived as much as the hype.
“We’ve spent plenty of time collectively as a gaggle over time, so we knew we weren’t at our greatest at Perth.
“But it surely was by no means as dangerous because it appears. So that you stick tight and double down on what makes us a very good aspect.”
Australia handed out three debuts in the course of the sequence – opener Nathan McSweeney who was axed after the primary three Exams, the person who changed him, Sam Konstas, and all-rounder Beau Webster within the fifth Check.
In addition they closely relied on stalwarts akin to Smith, Starc and Head.
“At all times good to have a squad,” mentioned Cummins.
“The three debutants on this sequence fitted in effectively. They contributed at totally different occasions.
“There have been some key moments when our mainstays actually stood up. You want to try this to beat a aspect like India.”
Able to defend their World Check Championship mace 👊
Australia qualify for the #WTC25 Remaining at Lord’s 🏏
Extra 👉 https://t.co/EanY9jFouE pic.twitter.com/xcpTrBOsB8
— ICC (@ICC) January 5, 2025
