India and Australia faced off in the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with the opening day offering intense drama and challenges for both sides.
The day ended with Australia at 9/1 after Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Usman Khawaja in a dramatic final over, providing India a glimmer of hope after a challenging day with the bat.
Opting to bat first, India struggled against Australia’s disciplined bowling attack. Openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal were dismissed early, leaving India vulnerable.
Rahul fell to Mitchell Starc, while Jaiswal was undone by Scott Boland, who also troubled Virat Kohli with a sharp delivery immediately after. Shubman Gill and Kohli seemed poised to stabilise the innings, but both faltered under pressure.
Gill, who was recalled to the side, fell to Nathan Lyon off the last ball before lunch, distracted by his own gamesmanship. Kohli, on the other hand, succumbed to his recurring struggle outside the off-stump, edging a delivery to third slip early in the second session.
India’s middle order offered some resistance, with Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja attempting to anchor the innings. Pant took multiple blows but showed resilience, while Jadeja played cautiously. The duo added 48 runs in a painstaking 151-ball partnership.
However, Pant’s dismissal for 40, followed by Jadeja’s departure for 26, triggered a lower-order collapse. Nitish Kumar Reddy fell for a golden duck to Scott Boland, and the Indian innings was eventually wrapped up for a modest 185.
Jasprit Bumrah’s quick 22 offered brief entertainment but couldn’t significantly alter India’s fortunes.
Australia’s pace attack, led by Scott Boland, was relentless throughout the day. Boland’s incisive spells rattled India, with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins adding to the pressure.
Starc’s fiery bowling also left Pant bruised, as he took blows on the bicep and head, underlining the intensity of the contest. Nathan Lyon’s spin complemented the pacers effectively, and his dismissal of Gill highlighted his continued dominance.
India’s performance woes have been compounded by off-field controversies and mounting scrutiny. Rohit Sharma’s absence from the playing XI due to poor form has been a significant talking point.
Rohit, who has managed just 31 runs across five innings in the series, faced criticism for his batting and decision-making as captain. Head coach Gautam Gambhir’s no-nonsense approach appears to have unsettled the dressing room, with reports suggesting internal discord and tension.
Speculation about Rohit’s removal as captain added to the drama ahead of the Test, with Shubman Gill returning to the side in his place.
Gambhir’s emphasis on performance and accountability has ushered in a period of transition for the Indian team. While senior players like Rohit and even Virat Kohli have come under the scanner, the likes of Bumrah have risen to the occasion.
Bumrah’s outstanding form, with 30 wickets in the series at a sub-20 average, has been a bright spot for India. His leadership, both as a bowler and captain, has been pivotal in keeping the team competitive despite their struggles.
The stakes are high for India in this final Test. A loss would not only result in losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also jeopardise their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final at Lord’s.
India must win this Test and rely on Sri Lanka winning their series against Australia to remain in contention. However, their task is daunting, with Australia’s Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne regaining form and Mitchell Starc adding firepower to their bowling attack after recovering from injury.
For Australia, the debut of all-rounder Beau Webster offers new dimensions to their side. Webster replaced Mitchell Marsh, who has struggled in the series, and adds depth to their batting and bowling.
With the Sydney pitch expected to favour seamers, Australia’s pace trio of Starc, Cummins, and Boland will be eager to exploit the conditions further.
As the match progresses, India’s ability to overcome their internal and external challenges will be crucial. Bumrah’s dismissal of Khawaja late in the day is a small victory, but much work remains.
The team’s transition under Gambhir’s leadership has been marked by uncertainty, and the outcome of this Test will likely influence their trajectory in the months ahead.
Follow us
