India vs Australia 5th Test: India hopes for redemption as Australia eyes to seize series in Sydney

India faces Australia in a crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, with the final Test at SCG offering redemption.

A new year with its tidings of hope is the overwhelming theme whenever January chimes in. It is no different this time around, especially for India, as it faces the challenge of altering the script in the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

Trailing 1-2, the fifth and final Test commencing at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday (January 3, 2024), presents India with an opportunity for redemption. Winning at Perth, losing in Adelaide, a weather-assisted draw in Brisbane, and a loss in Melbourne, have constituted the report card of Rohit Sharma’s men.

At the SCG with its history weaved around runs and spin, any Asian team should feel optimistic. India is no different though its performance here over the decades reads as one win, seven draws and five losses.

This is the ground in which Ravi Shastri scored a 206 in 1992, a Test in which Shane Warne made his debut. This is the same turf where Sachin Tendulkar posted a 241 in 2004, a knock in which he cut out the cover-drive, a shot that had become his tragic-flaw. Perhaps the last bit offers a lesson to Virat Kohli, who has been fishing outside the off-stump.

India will miss Akash Deep as the speedster is dealing with a back injury. However, the bigger worry is about Rohit. As a captain, his name would be the first one pencilled into the playing eleven. But with coach Gautam Gambhir not being explicit about whether the out-of-form skipper will find a berth, that old Indian cricket imagery of smoke and daggers is in vogue.

It is the last thing anyone needs ahead of a vital face-off. If India does manage to defeat Australia and draw level at 2-2, by virtue of being the defending champion, the visitors would retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

It is imperative that the batters collectively fire. K.L. Rahul’s runs, Nitish Kumar’s consistency, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s promise and the lower-order’s fire-fighting have often rescued India. The others have to contribute too and Shubman Gill, benched at Melbourne, could get a look-in.