Australia's dominance over India was solidified with their latest victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as the hosts secured the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a commanding 3-1 series win. Led by ruthless pacer Scott Boland, who showcased his exceptional bowling skills by claiming 10 wickets during the Test, Australia has signaled its intent on the international cricket stage once again.
Chasing down 162 runs, Australia reached their target comfortably within 27 overs, losing just four wickets. Usman Khawaja was the standout performer for Australia, scoring 41 runs, supported by Travis Head, who remained not out on 34, and debutant Beau Webster, who added 30 runs to the tally. The victory marks Australia's first Border-Gavaskar Trophy win since 2025 and reinforces their position for the World Test Championship (WTC) final scheduled for June against South Africa.
Scott Boland's performance throughout the series has been nothing short of remarkable. Taking 21 wickets at an astonishing average of 13.19, Boland is now noted for having the best bowling average among Test bowlers since World War I. His 6/45 performance clinched the Player of the Match title during this Test, bringing his total wicket count to 56 at the impressive average of 17.66 over his 13 Tests. To put this achievement in perspective, only one bowler—England's George Lohmann—has maintained such low averages over his career.
On India's side, the team faced immense challenges throughout the series, culminating with their disappointing defeat at Sydney. Pacer Prasidh Krishna stood out for India, claiming three wickets during Australia's second innings, but it wasn't enough to shift the momentum back to the visitors. Former Indian player Gautam Gambhir, now head coach, addressed the media after the match, emphasizing the importance of learning from this series and highlighting the positives amid challenges.
Gambhir expressed his hope for all players to engage more actively in domestic cricket, stating, "Everyone should play domestic cricket. That is how much important domestic cricket has to be. If you don’t, you will never get the desired players." His comments come after several youngsters gained invaluable experience throughout the tough tour against Australia.
Reflecting on the series, Gambhir admitted, "We haven’t played our best and that's the kind of result we got." His acknowledgment of the team's performance serves as both critique and encouragement as he remains optimistic about the future of Indian cricket, especially with several young talents showcasing resilience.
The contrasting moods between the two camp leaders were palpable during press interactions following the match. Pat Cummins, captain of the Australian side, expressed his pride for the team's performance, calling the series one of his favorites due to the camaraderie and teamwork displayed throughout. He highlighted the contributions of debutants and reflected positively on preparations leading up to the series.
"These are the big series you prepare for. There were some key moments when our mainstays really stood up," Cummins stated confidently. His leadership has proven effective, leading to substantial achievements, including securing their position for the WTC finals for the second consecutive year.
With the series concluded, all eyes will turn to the upcoming global stage as Australia gears up for the World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord’s from June 11 to 15. Meanwhile, India will need to regroup, with Gambhir hinting at re-evaluations needed for the team's strategy and development. The need for improvement across multiple departments is also acknowledged, with Gambhir mentioning missed opportunities to level up during key matches, particularly the second Test.
Overall, the Sydney Test not only marked the end of the series but also sparked discussions about the future of both teams. Australia should celebrate as they have reclaimed the trophy, but for India, it's back to the drawing board as they look to reinforce their standing and develop the next generation of players ready for international challenges.