Witness Australia’s remarkable 3-1 victory over India as they reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Explore the series’ pivotal moments and standout performances.
Introduction
Australia won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade-long wait, defeating India inside three days at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The hosts also booked a ticket to the World Test Championship final with South Africa. For India, a depleting bowling attack marked a disappointing end to their campaign as Jasprit Bumrah’s absence was felt in the fight to defend a modest target of 162 runs.

Day 3: Australia Clinch the Series
India’s hope to redeem the game vanished in no time on day three as it was bowled out for 157 in the second innings when Scott Boland showed the fast bowling class in a master class. Boland six wickets that added to the success he registered in the first innings meant the best match figures in his career and etched into Australian cricket lore.
See also: Rishabh Pant’s Explosive Fifty and India’s Bowlers Dominate Day 2 on Spicy SCG Pitch

Australia’s chase of 162 started off with dominance. The opening pair of David Warner and Sam Konstas capitalized on erratic bowling from India’s Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, reaching 39 runs within the first four overs. A few breakthroughs from Prasidh, including dismissing Steve Smith one run shy of 10,000 Test runs, were not enough to give India’s attack the edge to defend their low total.
See also: Ryan Rickelton’s Double Century Leads South Africa’s 2nd Test Domination in Cape Town
Travis Head and debutant Beau Webster ensured the win of Australia with nonchalant, calculating batting. Webster, playing his first Test at the age of 31, added an unbeaten 39 with a boundary sealing the win.

Bumrah’s Absence Looms Large
The absence of Jasprit Bumrah was the decisive factor in India’s downfall. He, the star bowler who has been bothered by back issues, could bat only at No. 11 and did not take the field as Australia chased. It left India at the mercy of two inexperienced pace duos in Siraj and Prasidh, whose inconsistency and lack of support highlighted how much the team relied on the brilliance of Bumrah.
Bumrah was instrumental throughout the series, and ended up being India’s highest wicket-taker. He being unavailable in the crunch time did not only deny India an excellent bowling asset but also undermined their ability to generate pressure on Australia’s batsmen.

Scott Boland: The Hero for Australia
Scott Boland was the pick of the Australian lot, who exploited the SCG’s lively surface to the fullest. His accuracy and relentless line-and-length troubled India throughout the match.

Boland was particularly brilliant on Day 3. He struck early, removing Siraj and Bumrah to wrap up India’s innings. His ten-wicket haul marked a personal milestone and drew a standing ovation from the SCG crowd.
India’s Batting Woes Continue
India’s batsmen failed to cope with the disciplined bowling of Australia. On the third day, they lost 4 wickets for just 16 runs, and Boland and Pat Cummins tore apart the middle and lower order.
Though Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill had shown bright performances in the series, India’s batting lineup lacked consistency and resilience. The lack of contribution from the lower order further added to their problems, making the team vulnerable in both innings.

Australia’s Depth and Balance Shine
Australia’s victory highlighted their depth and balance. Boland’s performance underlined the depth in their fast-bowling reserves, while contributions from players like Travis Head and debutant Beau Webster showcased the team’s batting strength.
Webster’s debut was particularly noteworthy. The 31-year-old all-rounder impressed with both bat and ball, scoring crucial runs in both innings and taking key wickets. His composure under pressure provided Australia with a significant advantage.

Key Takeaways
Australia’s Dominance at Home: Australia’s ability to leverage home conditions and their depth in all departments proved decisive. This victory cements their status as a formidable Test side, particularly on home soil.
India’s Over-Reliance on Bumrah: India’s reliance on Jasprit Bumrah was evident. His absence exposed the lack of depth in their bowling attack, a factor that needs addressing for future overseas tours.
Scott Boland’s Rising Stock: In Boland, Australia gets another reliable fast-bowling option to add to an already strong pace lineup. His performances in this series will guarantee him opportunities in the future.
Beau Webster’s Dream Debut: For Australia, Webster adds much-needed depth to their side. His all-round ability gives balance to the team in any situation.
India Needing Depth: India would see that they needed greater squad depth in both its pace and all-rounder departments from the defeat they received.
Conclusion: Border-Gavaskar Trophy winner
It has been a watershed moment for the Australian team, as their comprehensive victory over India to take the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has heralded a new beginning in Test cricket. While India showed flashes of brilliance, the lack of depth and reliance on Bumrah et al proved too expensive. Lessons drawn from this series will go a long way in shaping strategies for future success.