AUS VS IND 5TH TEST

From Perth's western frontier to Sydney's historic harbor, the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy has completed its Australian odyssey. Over a month and a half, fans witnessed a spectacular caravan of cricket that delivered five gripping Test matches, with the quality of play reaching new heights with each passing day, as neither side showed any sign of backing down. This series lived beyond all expectations, shattering records and marking personal milestones in its wake. The curtains may have fallen on the Australian leg, but the echoes of this epic battle will resonate long after the final ball was bowled. This nerve-wracking series has now drawn to a close, with Australia securing their place in the WTC final, where they will face South Africa in June later this year in the summit clash. For India, however, this marks the end of their journey in the current WTC cycle and they will prepare for the next edition with more determination. On the other hand, Australia still has a couple of Tests remaining, with a tour to Sri Lanka looming on the horizon. Well then, that is it from this space, but, there's still a lot of international cricket going around along with Big Bash League at its full tilt. We have also got a few more franchise leagues to begin this month in nearly a week's time. The Australian summer concludes, but cricket continues elsewhere. We sign off from here. CIAO!

Pat Cummins is now requested to collect the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Allan Border hands him the silverware and Cummins respectfully collects it, and poses for a few commemorative photographs! He now calls his teammates on the podium and the entire team now poses for some more photographs. Pat Cummins also takes a selfie to frame this historic moment. And now, the entire team poses in front of the champion's board as the SCG echoes in cheers and applause for their home team.

The Australian skipper, Pat Cummins is called upon the podium to have a chat. He gets a huge reception from the SCG crowd. He says that it feels unreal and the series lived up to its hype. Mentions that they tried to be clear with their strategies and to be proactive. He further adds that he is immensely proud of his boys. Also accepts that they weren't at their best at Perth but made a huge comeback since then. Says that it is fun to play with these guys and it is a special group. Says that he is really proud to have achieved this series win and it is always nice to have a flexible squad. Mentions that there were three debutants in the series that fitted quite well and contributed at different times. About his own performance, he thinks that he did quite well and had a good rest coming into this series. Also says that these are the big series you prepare for. Adds that it was nice to see their main stays step up and you need something like that to beat a side like India. Also states that this is easily his favourite Test series. Also thanks Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah and all the fans who turned up. Ends by saying that it was fun to watch the fans who turned up in huge numbers and sold-out crowds across all the games.

The shining Border-Gavaskar Trophy is now carefully placed on the pedestal by Allan Border as we head to the captains' talk now.

JASPRIT BUMRAH wins the PLAYER OF THE SERIES following his threatening bowling display throughout this Australian summer. He picked up 32 wickets across these five Test matches at a remarkable bowling average. He also gracefully collects the honorary medallion from Allan Border. He says that it is a little frustrating but sometimes you have to respect your body. Shares that it was disappointing to have missed out on the spiciest wicket of the series. Tells that he felt a bit of discomfort during his second spell in the first innings. Adds that the talk was about having the belief and others stepped up in his absence in the first innings. States that the discussion coming into Day 3 was about showing character. Further says that the entire series was hard-fought. he says that for youngsters it is not the easiest place to play cricket and they will only grow from strength to strength. Concludes by congratulating Australia and says that they as a team, will look to take the learnings from this series.

SCOTT BOLAND is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for snagging 10 wickets in this fifth Test. He receives the medallion from none other than Allan Border. He says that it would be nice to take this pitch wherever he goes. Shares that it has been a good couple of months. Tells that he did not expect to play too much part in this series but he prepared well. Mentions that it is nice to win 3-1 against India. Ends by saying that he is happy to play wherever he gets the opportunity.

... THE POST-SERIES PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

Travis Head is in for a chat now. He says that it is nice to contribute. He says that he doesn't worry too much about the results. Mentions that he is looking forward to getting 10 days off before the tour of Sri Lanka. Talking about the batting he says that he was looking to build little partnerships in the middle and just look to get momentum. Talking about the series, he says that it could have gone any direction and it was a crazy five-Test match series. Shares that there were different media narratives - some he agreed with and some he didn't. Adds that at least 15 people on the team were relieved that Jasprit didn't bowl today. Concludes by saying that India is a great team with Jaiswal's firepower at the top and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the middle order.

It is now time to hear from a few Australian players. Beau Webster is in for a chat with the broadcasters. He says that he couldn't have asked for a better debut. Shares that he was counting down the runs while in the dressing room. Tells that they were confident that they could chase it down. Mentions that it is a surreal feeling and it has been a nice couple of weeks for him. Adds that the debut was a little bit unexpected but he was ready and he is glad that the debut panned out the way it did. States that the noise from the crowd was infectious and ends by thanking everyone for the support over the last few days.

In all fairness, the Indians were too straight and too full which caused very little trouble to the batters and runs came in thick and fast. Siraj though dismissed Khawaja eventually but, it was too little and too late before Head and Webster sailed Australia through the win. In hindsight, India would be thinking that a target beyond 250 could have turned this into a nail-biter rather than a comfortable chase. And more importantly, India dearly missed the services of Jasprit Bumrah, who could have made life tougher for the Aussie batters.

But just as the hosts appeared to be cruising, Prasidh Krishna turned the game on its head with a crucial three-wicket burst, transforming Australia's comfortable 39 without loss into a precarious 58/3 in a matter of overs. After Lunch, the two southpaws in the form of Usman Khawaja and Travis Head came in determined and resolved. While Khawaja played percentage cricket and found some boundaries, Head was keen on milking singles and keeping the scorecard ticking along.

The third day unfolded as a rollercoaster of momentum shifts. In a devastating morning spell, Pat Cummins and Scott Boland made quick work of India's lower order, claiming the remaining four wickets in just 7.5 overs and restricting the lead to 161. Chasing 162 for victory, Australia got off to a blistering start through Sam Konstas, who capitalized on some wayward Indian bowling despite the pitch showing occasional signs of mischief.

In reply, Yashasvi Jaiswal got off the blocks quickly to set India on their way before being pegged back by Scott Boland’s introduction to the attack. Reduced to 79/4, Pant made his intentions clear straight away and unleashed an onslaught with a 29-ball fifty. The ebb and flow of the game continued, and it wasn’t long before Australia struck back, leaving India with a 145-run lead and just 4 wickets in hand going into Day 3.

Day 2 saw India land the first blow through Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj before Steven Smith and debutant Beau Webster led the fightback for Australia. India saw the back of Smith before Lunch to wrestle the initiative. With Bumrah off for scans in the second session, India leaked runs as Webster and Alex Carey ticked along nicely. However, just as their partnership was developing, Prasidh Krishna and Nitish Kumar Reddy stepped up, helping the side take a narrow 4-run lead.

Now, let us take a quick recap of how this Test progressed. The toss went in favour of India's stand-in skipper, Jasprit Bumrah, who chose to bat first under overcast skies on a deck greener than the usual SCG wicket. India’s openers were back in the hut within the first hour, and though Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli began the recovery, both fell either side of Lunch. Australia kept the pressure on, with Rishabh Pant taking several body blows while curbing his attacking instincts. After Tea, Scott Boland tightened the screws, and the rest of the bowlers followed suit, bowling India out for 185. A tricky phase before the close saw a verbal spat between Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas. The day ended with Bumrah taking the crucial wicket of Usman Khawaja, nipping him off with the last ball of the day.

What was once a fortress has finally fallen - India's grip on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, held proudly for three straight series while winning two back-to-back times on the Australian soil itself, has finally slipped away. And with this defeat comes an even bigger blow, their dreams of reaching another World Test Championship Final, already hanging by the thinnest of threads, have been decisively snapped. It's a double heartbreak that marks the end of an era in Indian Test cricket.

A decade-long wait finally comes to an end as Australia reclaims the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, marking a historic triumph that has healed the scars of past defeats on both home and away soil. After stumbling in Perth to go 0-1 down, they flipped the script under the Adelaide lights to level the series. A draw in Brisbane, but from there, they never looked back, dominating in Melbourne and sealing a commanding victory in Sydney. The icing on the cake? This triumph books the ticket to their second World Test Championship Final on the bounce.

FOUR! THAT'S IT! AUSTRALIA HAVE DONE IT! Beau Webster punches the air in delight and lets out a roar. Hugs all around in the Aussie camp as they not only claim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also secure their spot in the World Test Championship final. Tossed up by Sundar from around the wicket, loopy delivery, on off, Beau Webster puts his dancing shoes on and gets to the pitch of the ball. Drills it to the right of mid off and it races away. Webster picks up a stump as a souvenir in what has been a memorable maiden Test for him. Australia win by 6 wickets to claim the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 3-1 scoreline.