Group of India the 2024-2025 Australia tour will conclude with the fifth and final Test of the ongoing series. The IND vs AUS match is scheduled to be played from Friday (January 3) at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney.
India are currently trailing in the series after losing the fourth Test in Melbourne. Australia outclassed India once again and crushed them by 184 runs to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the IND vs AUS series. With both groups now set for the final Test in Sydney, here is the preview for the 5th Test IND vs AUS.
IND vs AUS Match Preview- 5th Test, India tour of Australia 2024-25:
IND vs AUS 5th Test Date and Venue:
The upcoming IND vs AUS fifth test will be played from Friday (January 3) at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. The day will start at 5:00 am. IST (10:30 AM local).
Platoons:
India
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Tanush Kotian, Dhruv Jurel, Sundar Washington, Dev. Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana.
Australia:
Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Beau Webster, Sean Abbott, Josh Inglis, Jhye Richardson
IND vs AUS Key Battles
Sam Konstas vs Jasprit Bumrah:
The cricket world is surely excited to see the battle between Sam Konstas and Jasprit Bumrah after what happened in Melbourne. Konstas stunned the cricketing world with his brilliant attack against Bamrah on Test debut.
In just the third over, Konstas went for a ramp shot against Bumrah, arguably the best paceman in the world. Although he couldn’t connect with the ball on that occasion, it didn’t stop him from taking on Bumrah. Later, he hit two fours and a six against Bumrah using the ramp shots as he raced away on 60 off just 65 balls on debut.
In the second innings, Bumrah was quick to show Konstas why he is widely regarded as the best pacer in the world. India’s pace spearhead beat the young Australian with a stunning performance. The cricketing world is now eager for the third round between Konsta and Bumrah.
Travis Head vs Jasprit Bumrah:
Although India lost the Test in Melbourne, they managed to keep their tormentor Travis Head quiet in both the innings. The left-handed batsman who had scored a century in the second and third Tests failed to even reach double figures in the fourth Test.
He was out for a duck in the first innings before being sent back for 1 in the second innings. In both innings, Bumrah took the wicket of Head. India will be hoping that their star batsman gives Head in Sydney as well and keeps him quiet.
Pat Cummins vs Rohit Sharma:
This is a battle that Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will be desperate to win in the final Test. Things have not gone well for Rohit in the series and he will be desperate to make amends in Sydney as India look desperately to win the game.
The Indian skipper is under pressure not only for his leadership but also for his batting. He has not scored more than 10 runs in an inning in the ongoing series. One man who is primarily responsible for Rohit’s woeful form is his Australian counterpart, Pat Cummins.
The Australian captain has dismissed Rohit four times in five innings so far. In Melbourne, Cummins dismissed Rohit in both innings and will be looking for more success against him.
IND vs AUS key players
IND – Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar and Jasprit Bumrah will be the key players for India.
EXCEPT – Steve Smith, Sam Konstas, Travis Head, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins will be the key players for Australia.
IND vs AUS Weather and Pitch Report:
Rain is unlikely to play spoilsport during India’s fifth Test against Australia. Although conditions are likely to be cloudy for the first half of the test’s opening day, rain is unlikely to disrupt proceedings.
For the next three days, the weather forecast calls for a bright and sunny day in Sydney. However, light rain could make its presence felt on the fifth day of the Test. The temperature is likely to hover in the 20s during the test.
As for the pitch, the surface will help both the batsmen and the bowlers. The spinners are also likely to get good help from the surface, especially in the last two days of the Test.
Conclusion:
The series between India and Australia has lived up to expectations so far. The stage is now set for a thrilling end to the series and both teams will give it their all in the upcoming game.
2025-01-02 05:57:00
