Border-Gavaskar Trophy 5th Test Preview as Australia seek to end decade-long drought while India aim to salvage pride.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has been nothing short of intriguing. There has been suspense ever since the opening day in Perth, when 17 wickets were lost. A quick retirement was the unexpected result of the rain-damaged game in Brisbane. India still has the opportunity to deny the defending ODI and Test world champions a trophy that has eluded them for a decade, while Australia has the opportunity to solidify their legacy as a fiercely contested and incredibly entertaining series draws to a close.
Dissension within India’s ranks was reported. Rohit Sharma’s position in the team isn’t looking bright because he is sorely lacking in runs. India’s build-up had a completely different vibe because coach Gautam Gambhir did not clarify whether Rohit would be in the starting lineup.
Dhruv Jurel, who hasn’t been training with the first XI, was the last guy to depart, while Shubman Gill, who was dropped to make room for his promotion up the order, arrived early at the nets. Someone who is currently in there may need to leave if it suggests they could make the XI. Is Rohit leaving?
India has had to play catch-up all the time in Australia because they have been having trouble scoring first-inning runs; their average of 22.40 is the seventh-lowest in a season in which they have played at least five Test matches. On the other hand, they might like Sydney. As evidenced by India’s 2003 declaration on 705, the SCG is no more quite the batting haven it once was.
It still offers 34.85 per wicket, though, which is better than any other Australian ground during the previous three years. Australia may be bringing in bowling reinforcements for that reason. Another is the brief interval between the Boxing Day Tests and the New Year’s Tests. Mitchell Marsh will be replaced by Beau Webster on his Test debut.
India appeared to have a chance to exit the MCG with a draw for a while. Once more, Yashasvi Jaiswal emerged as India’s top hitter. Rohit stated at the conclusion of that match that although the youngsters still had some things to learn about Test cricket, they appeared to be performing well. The series’ top scorer for India is Jaiswal. Their finest moment was created by Nitish Kumar Reddy. Steven Smith has praised Akash Deep, but he will miss the Sydney Test due to a sore back. India is vulnerable in other places.