India and Australia finale at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Australia clinched a six-wicket victory over India in the fifth Test, securing a 3-1 series win and reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2014-15.

Adelaide Now

The 5th Test match between India and Australia was a thrilling contest that concluded with Australia securing a six-wicket victory, sealing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a commanding 3-1 series win. The match, held at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), showcased exceptional performances, tactical brilliance, and moments of drama that will be remembered for years.

Match Summary:

  • India’s First Innings: Opting to bat on a green pitch, India struggled against Australia’s disciplined bowling attack, managing 185 runs. ESPN Cricinfo
  • Australia’s First Innings: In response, Australia posted 181 runs, with debutant Beau Webster contributing a 57. ESPN
  • India’s Second Innings: India resumed at 141 for six but were dismissed for 157, adding just 16 runs to their overnight score. Scott Boland was instrumental, achieving figures of 6-45, culminating in a ten-wicket haul for the match. Times of India
  • Australia’s Second Innings: Chasing a target of 162, Australia reached 164 for four, with contributions from Usman Khawaja (41) and an unbeaten 39 from Beau Webster, who sealed the victory with a boundary. Adelaide Now

Key Performances: India and Australia

  • Scott Boland: Delivered a match-winning performance with figures of 6-45 in the second innings, totaling ten wickets in the match. Times of India
  • Beau Webster: Impressed on debut with a first-innings score of 57 and an unbeaten 39 in the second innings, guiding Australia to victory. Adelaide Now
  • Rishabh Pant: Provided a spark in India’s second innings with a quickfire 61 off 33 balls, though it wasn’t enough to set a formidable target. The Times

Controversies and Incidents:

  • Jasprit Bumrah’s Injury: India’s captain and key bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, suffered back spasms during Australia’s first innings, limiting his participation and impacting India’s bowling strength. The Times
  • Virat Kohli’s Gesture: Stand-in captain Virat Kohli drew criticism for a gesture referencing Australia’s past ball-tampering scandal, leading to mixed reactions from fans and media. News.com.au

FAQs:

  1. Who was the top scorer in the match?
    • Beau Webster was the top scorer with 57 runs in Australia’s first innings. ESPN
  2. How did Scott Boland perform in the match?
    • Scott Boland took ten wickets in the match, including 6-45 in India’s second innings, playing a pivotal role in Australia’s victory. Times of India
  3. What was the target set by India for Australia in the final innings?
    • India set a target of 162 runs for Australia, which they chased down successfully with six wickets remaining. Adelaide Now
  4. What was the outcome of the series?
    • Australia won the series 3-1, reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade.

Match Overview India and Australia

  • Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
  • Result: Australia won by six wickets
  • Series Outcome: Australia won 3-1
  • Player of the Match: Scott Boland (10 wickets across two innings)

India’s First Innings: Struggle Against Seam and Swing

Opting to bat first on a green-top wicket, India’s batting order crumbled under relentless pressure from the Australian pace attack. Despite a steady start, wickets fell at regular intervals.

  • Top Performers:
    • Rishabh Pant: 35 (42 balls)
    • Shubman Gill: 28 (64 balls)
  • Scott Boland: 4/32
  • Pat Cummins: 3/41

India was dismissed for a modest 185 runs.

Australia’s First Innings: Steady Progress Despite Wickets Falling

Australia’s reply wasn’t flawless, but crucial contributions from Beau Webster (57) and Usman Khawaja (45) stabilized their innings. Indian bowlers, despite a lower total, fought hard to keep their team in the game.

  • Top Performers:
    • Beau Webster: 57 (112 balls)
    • Usman Khawaja: 45 (98 balls)
  • Ravichandran Ashwin: 4/52
  • Jasprit Bumrah: 3/47

Australia ended their innings at 181, giving India a narrow lead of just 4 runs.

India’s Second Innings: Another Collapse

With a golden opportunity to build a competitive target, India’s batting faltered again. Rishabh Pant’s explosive 61 off 33 balls was the only bright spot in an otherwise disappointing innings.

  • Top Performers:
    • Rishabh Pant: 61 (33 balls)
    • Axar Patel: 21 (54 balls)
  • Scott Boland: 6/45 (Match Figures: 10/77)

India could only muster 157 runs, leaving Australia a manageable target of 162 runs to win the match.

Australia’s Run Chase: Calm and Controlled

Chasing 162 on a challenging pitch, Australia approached the innings with caution. Early wickets gave India hope, but Usman Khawaja (41) and Beau Webster (39 not out) calmly guided their team to victory.

  • Top Performers:
    • Usman Khawaja: 41 (78 balls)
    • Beau Webster: 39* (65 balls)
  • Ravindra Jadeja: 2/29

Australia finished with 164/4, sealing the match and the series.

Key Turning Points of the Match

  1. Scott Boland’s 6-Wicket Haul in the Second Innings: His relentless accuracy dismantled India’s batting lineup.
  2. Rishabh Pant’s Counterattack: His quickfire 61 gave India a slim chance of setting a defendable target.
  3. Jasprit Bumrah’s Injury: His restricted participation significantly affected India’s bowling attack.
  4. Beau Webster’s Calm Under Pressure: His debut performance with key contributions in both innings was crucial.

Player of the Match: Scott Boland

  • Match Figures: 10/77
  • Impact: Consistently troubled Indian batters with sharp movement and impeccable line and length.

Controversies and Talking Points

  1. Jasprit Bumrah’s Injury: Back spasms hindered his ability to bowl consistently in crucial moments.
  2. Virat Kohli’s Gesture Incident: His controversial sandpaper gesture stirred reactions from fans and media.
  3. Pitch Conditions: The green pitch favored the seamers, and India couldn’t adapt effectively.

Statistical Highlights

  • Highest Run Scorer (Match): Beau Webster – 57 runs
  • Most Wickets (Match): Scott Boland – 10 wickets
  • Best Batting Strike Rate: Rishabh Pant – 184.8

Post-Match Reactions

  • Pat Cummins (Australia Captain): “Proud of the team for executing our plans perfectly. Scott Boland was exceptional, and Beau Webster showed great maturity on debut.”
  • Rohit Sharma (India Captain): “We failed to capitalize on key moments. Credit to Australia for their disciplined performance.”

FAQs

1. Who won the India vs Australia 5th Test match?

  • Australia won the match by six wickets.

2. Who was the Player of the Match?

  • Scott Boland was named Player of the Match for his ten-wicket haul.

3. What was the final series result?

  • Australia won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1.

4. Who scored the most runs in the 5th Test?

  • Beau Webster scored the highest runs (57) in the match.

5. What was the target set for Australia?

  • India set a target of 162 runs for Australia.

Conclusion

The 5th Test match between India and Australia was a fitting finale to a highly competitive series. While Australia celebrated its return to dominance, India will reflect on missed opportunities and key injuries. With players like Scott Boland and Beau Webster stepping up, Australia’s cricketing future looks bright.

This match will be remembered not just for the result but for the intensity, controversies, and moments of brilliance that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Here are some trusted links where fans can get detailed highlights, scorecards, and post-match analysis of the India vs Australia 5th Test match:

  1. ESPNcricinfo
  2. ICC Official Website
  3. BCCI Official Website
  4. Cricbuzz
    • For live commentary, real-time updates, and in-depth post-match breakdowns.
    • Visit Cricbuzz
  5. Fox Sports Australia
  6. YouTube – Official Cricket Channels

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