SYDNEY — Australia has regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade, triumphing over India by six wickets at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. The match concluded with Australia successfully chasing down a target of 162 runs just after lunch on the third day, having dismissed India for a mere 157 runs in their second innings, thus sealing the series with a 3-1 victory.
This win also secures Australia a place in the World Test Championship final for the second consecutive time, where they are set to clash with South Africa at Lord’s in June. “This Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one that some of us didn’t have,” stated Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins. “It’s been an incredible series, one that has been marked on our calendars for quite some time. We have kept our focus on it for the past year or so, and it has truly delivered on the excitement.”
The situation was particularly challenging for India as their star bowler and captain, Jasprit Bumrah, was unable to participate in the second innings due to back spasms, which minimizes their chances of leveling the series and retaining the trophy for a fifth consecutive time. Bumrah’s injury occurred on Saturday, following which the medical team had only flagged the issue as minor. Having undergone back surgery in April 2023 to repair a stress fracture, his absence was keenly felt by the Indian side.
Despite being recognized as the man of the series for his remarkable achievement of taking 32 wickets—an all-time record by an Indian bowler in an Australian series—Bumrah’s fitness was visibly questioned, and he appeared to struggle when he did go out to bat as Australia’s prowess swept them to victory swiftly. Bumrah expressed his thoughts saying, “There are many ifs and buts because the entire series was fiercely contested, and today we felt we had a chance. Cricket can be unpredictable during tense moments and it’s whichever team maintains composure and collaborates closely that emerges victorious.”
Even without their leading player, India’s bowling attack troubled the Australian batting order, leaving them at 71-3 at lunchtime, and following this, they dismissed Usman Khawaja (41), creating more uncertainty for the hosts. Australia had a strong start, scoring 35 runs in the first three overs, leading to anticipation of a quick win before lunch. However, India’s desperate need for a breakthrough was finally met when Konstas (22) attempted a risky shot off Prasidh Krishna, who later also took the wickets of Labuschagne (6) and the vital wicket of Steve Smith, creating further tension in the Australian camp at 58-3.
Smith, who required just five runs to become the 15th player globally—and the fourth Australian—to surpass 10,000 career Test runs, struggled to make an impact before he was dismissed. Nonetheless, it was Travis Head (34 not out) along with debutant Beau Webster (39 not out) who ultimately led Australia to success, marking a significant series win under Cummins’ captaincy.
Following this landmark victory, Australia now holds every available bilateral Test trophy along with the recent ODI World Cup earned in India in 2023. Cummins expressed his pride over the team’s achievements, stating, “I’m incredibly proud of what we have accomplished as a team. We are also experiencing a fantastic journey together, which adds to our satisfaction.”
Earlier in the match, Cummins (3-44) alongside Scott Boland, who took two wickets, quickly wrapped up India’s innings at 157, with the visitors only managing to add 16 runs to their overnight score. Boland, awarded man of the match, recorded impressive figures of 6-45, achieving a five-wicket haul for only the second time in his career, and marking the first instance he took 10 wickets in a match.
The chaotic nature of Saturday’s play saw Rishabh Pant secure a quick-fire half-century amidst a collapse where 15 wickets fell, pushing India to a shaky innings of 141-6, establishing a 145-run lead that kept the series intriguingly poised. Australia had previously been bowled out for 181, resulting in India leading by four runs in the first innings but could not capitalize on Bumrah’s absence. Ultimately, Australia’s series win came after victories in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, while India managed to win the first Test in Perth, with the third Test in Brisbane being affected by rain and ending in a draw.
