Team India in a huddle.
Credit: X/@BCCI
Sydney: For the first time since their 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) campaign in India, Australia approach the final Test of a series against their fierce rivals with a sense of security.
Having secured an unassailable 2-1 lead with their epic win in Melbourne, the Australians enter the Sydney Test knowing they need only a draw to reclaim the coveted trophy after a four-series drought.
It’s a position of strength that starkly contrasts with their fortunes in recent clashes, where they faced must-win scenarios and fell short each time.
Let's face it. Barring the series opener in Perth, Australia have been a superior side. They comfortably won in Adelaide, dominated the rain-marred Brisbane Test and clinched an absorbing fourth Test in Melbourne.
Now, the Sydney Test offers a chance to cap off their dominance and signal a shift in their rivalry.
For India, however, it’s a battle for survival. Nothing short of a victory will suffice if they are to retain the BGT, but the task is made tougher by weather forecasts predicting heavy rain on days four and five -- a scenario that makes a draw the most probable outcome.
If the series does end in a loss, it could prompt drastic reforms within the Indian cricket set-up. But for now, their immediate focus lies on fielding the right combination amid swirling controversies and mounting pressure.
Reports of discord within the Indian camp have added fuel to the fire.
Following the loss in Melbourne, head coach Gautam Gambhir is alleged to have launched a scathing tirade against the players, while rumours suggest a senior player has expressed aspirations to lead the side in an interim capacity.
While Gambhir, in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, urged that the dressing-room discussions should remain private, the former opener, with years of experience in the chaotic landscape of Indian cricket, would know how stories are planted and/or leaked.
His challenge now is to steer the focus back to cricket and galvanise the team for the series finale for stakes are still high for the Indian team and a few individual players.
No two individual players have bigger stakes than skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the underfire veterans whose bats have fallen silent for too long to be not questioned.
Their presence complicates team selection for you have to leave out the young Shubman Gill in order to accommodate Washington Sundar what with SCG being the friendliest of Australian venues for spinners.
Intriguingly, Gambhir didn't commit if Rohit would feature in the final XI for the final Test. The skipper, though, was seen batting in "nets" with India opting for an optional session. Curiously enough, he was also missing from slip-catch practice while Gill went through spin slip-catch routine.
There will be a change in pace group as well with Akash Deep nursing a stiff back. While Harshit Rana played the first two Tests of the series with a mixed bag, Prasidh Krishna may just get the nod.
For Australia, the Sydney Test represents more than just a chance to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy -- it’s an opportunity to end years of frustration against the rivals that have consistently outmaneuvered them in recent series finales.
The team’s ability to perform under pressure in Melbourne has given them the momentum, and they now enjoy the rare luxury of approaching the final Test without being desperate.
The Australians will be keen to capitalise on this advantage, aiming to solidify their grip on the series with a commanding performance. While a draw would suffice to clinch the trophy, the hosts will undoubtedly seek a victory to put an emphatic stamp on their campaign.
The series has already delivered unforgettable moments -- from thrilling individual performances to intense team battles, the rivalry has lived up to its storied reputation. As the final chapter unfolds, both teams will be eager to leave their mark -- rain permitting.
The Teams
Australia XI: Pat Cummins (captain), Travis Head (vice-captain), Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (WK), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
India (squad): Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wicket-keeper), Harshit Rana, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Deep and Tanush Kotian.
Match starts at 5:00 am IST.