IND vs AUS fifth Test: If Bumrah isn’t there, India would have to come up with new plan, says Andrew McDonald

Australian coach Andrew McDonald aims to reclaim Border-Gavaskar Trophy, praises Boland's performance, and discusses Pant, Bumrah, and Kohli.

Australian coach Andrew McDonald reiterated his team’s desire to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Speaking to the media at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Saturday (January 4, 2025), he said: “We are here to win a series. Would we get great satisfaction out of winning a series against India? There’s no doubt about that.”

Asked about the surface on offer for the fifth Test, the coach said: “The ground staff have done an incredible job of creating a wicket with something in it. Traditionally it’s quite benign and we had a lot of draws but this game has sped up.”

Reacting to Rishabh Pant’s rapid knock, McDonald said: “He has got an incredible ability to put pressure back on to bowlers. His was an innings that you would say was right for this time.”

The coach was thrilled with the way Scott Boland has performed: “Every time he pitches up in the Australian colours, he delivers. He is relentless on a length, moves the ball both ways and it is difficult (for the batters), particularly on this surface.”

Responding to Jasprit Bumrah’s niggle, McDonald said: “He is a threat any time. And, yeah, if he isn’t there, then India would have to come up with a new plan.”

The coach also found joy in the manner in which Virat Kohli was dealt with: “He has tried some things but you know, the relentless nature of Scotty has been incredibly difficult for him to combat. But he is never an easy wicket.”