India’s decade-long dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ended as Australia secured a commanding 6-wicket victory over the Jasprit Bumrah-led team on Sunday, January 5. On Day 3 of the final Test in Sydney, the Indian side struggled to stop Australia’s aggressive batting. The hosts comfortably chased down the target of 162 runs in just 27 overs.
Jasprit Bumrah, who had an impressive tour of Australia, faced a disappointing conclusion. The stand-in captain was unable to bowl on Day 3 due to a back spasm that sidelined him during the final innings, leaving India without their key pacer at a critical moment.
Australia Dominates as India’s Bowling Falters in Final Test
In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, India’s bowling attack faltered, delivering an erratic performance. The lack of control was stark compared to the disciplined efforts of Scott Boland and Pat Cummins earlier in the day. Their clinical approach saw India lose their last four wickets for just 16 runs during the morning session on Day 3.
India’s hopes rested on Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to put up a fight with the bat, but the excessive seam movement on the pitch proved too challenging, a departure from the conditions seen in the Sydney Test.
Mohammed Siraj, despite glimpses of form on Day 2, opened India’s bowling with a wayward delivery that went for five wides. Prasidh Krishna compounded the struggles in the next over, further adding to the team’s woes. Australia capitalized on India’s disarray, starting their chase aggressively, akin to a T20 powerplay. By the sixth over, the hosts had already raced to 50/1, a dream start even in limited-overs cricket.
India managed to create some pressure briefly before lunch, thanks to a spirited three-over spell by Prasidh Krishna. He claimed the crucial wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, providing a glimmer of hope. However, that momentum was short-lived.
After lunch, Australia resumed their assault with Travis Head and Usman Khawaja striking boundaries at will, extinguishing any chances of an Indian comeback. While Khawaja fell for 41, the subdued Indian celebrations reflected a team resigned to its fate in the series.
Debutant Beau Webster showcased remarkable composure, building on his first-innings fifty and ensuring Australia sealed the game with ease, putting an exclamation mark on a dominant performance.
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India Loses BGT After a Decade of Dominance
India’s 2024/25 Test series against Australia marked the end of a remarkable 10-year reign in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). The last time India faced such a setback was during the 2014/15 tour, when MS Dhoni retired from Test cricket midway through the series.
Since then, under the leadership of Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, India had consistently outperformed Australia in both home and away series, establishing a legacy of dominance.
Kohli’s iconic victory in the 2018/19 series in Australia elevated the rivalry to new heights, making it one of the most celebrated bilateral contests in cricket. Even in Kohli’s absence during the 2020/21 series, India showcased their resilience, clinching a dramatic win at the Gabba that remains etched in cricketing history.
The 2024/25 series, however, told a completely different story. India’s batting lineup faltered, and the team found itself mired in controversies, evoking memories of the struggles from the ill-fated tour a decade ago. This series ended a golden era, leaving fans and experts reflecting on the highs and lows of India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy journey.
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Indian Batting Woes Lead to Series Defeat
India’s dismal batting performance was the primary reason behind their Border-Gavaskar Trophy loss against Australia. In 10 innings across the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India failed to cross the 200-run mark six times. The team managed scores above 200 in only three instances: a commanding 487/6 declared in their lone victory at Perth, 369 in Melbourne, and 260 in Brisbane.
This inconsistency left the bowling unit under immense pressure, as they often lacked adequate recovery time between innings. India managed to bat beyond 100 overs in just two innings, while most others lasted between 35 and 78 overs. The lack of substantial partnerships and prolonged innings took a toll on the bowlers, leading to fatigue and injuries.
The consequences were evident as Akash Deep was ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy finale, while Jasprit Bumrah sustained an injury in Sydney after bowling an exhausting number of overs in the Melbourne Test. The batting collapse not only cost India the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also highlighted the need for a more resilient and consistent approach moving forward.
Australia’s Faulty Team Selection and Strategy
Australia’s team selection for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was established well in advance, with a cohesive unit led by Pat Cummins that had played together for a considerable period. Notably, in the final Test, there wasn’t a single player in their 20s, except for Sam Konstas, who debuted at just 19.
Beyond him, all other players were above 30. Throughout the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia fielded only one player in their 20s, Nathan McSweeney, aged 25.
Australia’s approach was clear, they structured their strategy around their strengths, particularly fast bowling. The pitches were designed to support their plan, featuring significant grass coverage and hard surfaces that deteriorated naturally over time, benefiting their pace attack. They consistently fielded at least four fast bowlers and a spinner in every match.
On the other hand, India’s team selection lacked consistency and adaptability. In the final two Tests, India opted for two spinners, a puzzling choice given the conditions. The team shuffled through three different spinners in the first three matches before settling on a combination of three pacers, two spinners, and Nitish Reddy.
This inconsistent selection strategy negatively impacted India’s on-field performance. The fast bowlers, burdened by the additional workload, saw a notable drop in pace as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy progressed.
For instance, Jasprit Bumrah, renowned for delivering speeds above 140 km/h, struggled to maintain his intensity, eventually clocking speeds as low as 125 km/h. The strain was evident, highlighting the challenges posed by an unsettled lineup and tactical missteps.
Bumrah’s Legendary Performance in a Challenging Series
During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India’s bowling attack struggled so much that social media turned it into a running joke, labeling the unit as “Bumrah and nothing else.” Memes flooded the internet, highlighting how Bumrah singlehandedly salvaged India’s chances by delivering crucial breakthroughs when the team needed them the most.
Beyond his heroics with the ball, Bumrah also emerged as a savior for India’s underperforming batting unit, which consistently failed to put up competitive totals in every Test match. Without Bumrah’s brilliance in restricting the Australian lineup, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy outcome could have been far worse for India.
Bumrah’s numbers were nothing short of extraordinary, he took 32 wickets at an astounding average of 13.06, the best-ever performance by an Indian bowler against Australia in a Test series. His dominance was a beacon of hope in an otherwise lackluster campaign. However, it’s fair to say that Bumrah deserved more support from the rest of the Indian team, which struggled to rise to the occasion in this marquee tour.
Retirements, Leaks, and Leadership Changes in the Indian Team
The signs of unrest within the Indian cricket team became evident when Ravichandran Ashwin retired midway through the tour, after the 3rd Test in Brisbane. His father voiced strong criticism, saying his son had faced enough humiliation and could not continue.
Following India’s loss in the Melbourne Test, their first in three tours, rumors about internal issues flooded the media. Reports suggested a “Mr. Fixit,” allegedly aiming for the role of interim captain during the team’s transition period. By then, it was clear that Rohit Sharma would not play in the 5th Test. It seemed either he had stepped down or was dropped from the squad.
Rohit quickly clarified the situation in an unprecedented way. On Day 2 of the Test, while not playing, he gave a full interview to an Indian broadcaster. He explained that he was not dropped, but had voluntarily stepped down. Rohit also dismissed rumors about his retirement from Test cricket, calling it a one-time decision.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024/25 will be remembered as one of the most dramatic series in recent history. From on-field controversies to off-field issues and several key moments, it truly was a memorable chapter in Indian cricket.
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FAQs
Q.1. Why did India lose the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25?
Ans. India’s batting struggles and injuries, coupled with Australia’s strong team performance, led to their Border-Gavaskar Trophy defeat.
Q.2. What role did Jasprit Bumrah play in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
Ans. Bumrah was India’s standout performer, taking 32 wickets, but injuries and lack of support from other players hampered the team’s chances.
Q.3. What caused the controversy in the Indian team?
Ans. Ravichandran Ashwin retired mid-tour, and Rohit Sharma clarified rumors about stepping down, contributing to internal unrest within the team.
Q.4. How did Australia’s team selection impact their success?
Ans. Australia’s consistent and well-structured team, with a focus on pace bowling, helped them dominate India throughout the series.
Q.5. What were India’s batting problems in the series?
Ans. India failed to surpass 200 runs in six innings, putting pressure on the bowlers and leading to frequent batting collapses.
