Sydney, 5 January 2025: Australia cruised to a six-wicket win over a floundering Indian side in the fifth Test on Sunday, reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade and securing their place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa, scheduled at Lord’s from June 11 to 15.
India’s woes continued as they exited the WTC race after a 3-1 series defeat, exposing significant issues within a team navigating a challenging transition. With key players failing to step up and an over-reliance on pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, India’s struggles became glaringly apparent. A target of 162 offered faint hope, especially after Bumrah, suffering from back spasms, was unavailable to bowl.
“Little frustrating, but sometimes you have to respect your body. Disappointing, probably missed out on the spiciest wicket of the series,” said Bumrah during the post-match presentation. Despite his personal accolades—finishing as Player of the Series with an impressive 32 wickets—the absence of his presence on Day 4 tilted the match heavily in Australia’s favor.
Australian openers Usman Khawaja (41) and Travis Head (34*) complemented by debutant Beau Webster’s unbeaten 39, easily chased down the target in 27 overs.
Indian bowlers Prasidh Krishna (3/65 in 12 overs) and Mohammed Siraj (1/69 in 12 overs) struggled with consistency, bowling loose deliveries that handed Australia crucial runs during critical moments.
The decisive innings only underscored the troubles in India’s batting order. Collapsing for just 157 in the final Test, only Rishabh Pant (61) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (22) displayed brief resistance. Veteran bowlers Scott Boland (6/45) and Pat Cummins (3/44) tore through the Indian lineup, while nine batters collectively contributed just 74 runs.
The batting frailties that haunted India throughout the series surfaced again, with six completed innings yielding totals under 200. Jaiswal, with 391 runs, topped the charts but registered three ducks. He was followed by rookie Nitish Kumar Reddy (298 runs), KL Rahul (276), and Pant (255). Regular captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli’s collective failures also raised questions about their form and technical issues.
“It’s clear the reliance on veterans like Rohit and Kohli hasn’t worked, and both face mounting pressure,” said a former selector, noting the need to integrate younger talent into the squad. While rookies like Jaiswal shone in glimpses, India’s reliance on old guard players has underscored the urgency for a transition.
This focus on transformation extends to India’s coaching staff. Head coach Gautam Gambhir faces heat for India’s dismal run across formats. Under his tenure, the team lost six of 10 Tests and an ODI series in Sri Lanka, raising concerns about his tactics and man-management approach. A BCCI insider noted, “If players like Kohli and Rohit are held accountable, the head coach cannot escape scrutiny.”
The handling of Rishabh Pant was singled out as a key failure, as Gambhir’s strategies disrupted the wicketkeeper-batter’s natural rhythm. Moreover, decisions such as Ashwin’s abrupt retirement during the Brisbane Test and Rohit benching himself revealed an unsettled team environment.
Bowling woes further marred the series. Without Bumrah, India’s attack lacked bite on crucial days, leaving selectors pondering the team’s depth. Siraj’s 100 wickets in 36 Tests point to inconsistency, while raw talents like Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna showed both promise and weaknesses. Spin options have also waned, with Ravindra Jadeja now contributing more with the bat than the ball on flat tracks.
Among this bleak picture, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s rise offers a rare bright spot. The young batter impressed with composure, while rookie Nitish Reddy’s performance with the bat and potential with the ball hinted at a promising future. “Investing in these players for the next WTC cycle will be vital for India’s long-term goals,” added a source in the team’s management.
As the curtains closed on this series, India’s road ahead remains riddled with challenges. While Jaiswal’s talent shines and Reddy shows potential, selectors and the team management face critical decisions to revive a squad capable of competing in high-pressure scenarios. The coming months will likely involve difficult calls as Indian cricket navigates its rebuilding phase.
