January 3, 2025

India Bench Test Captain Rohit Sharma, Opt to Bat First in Fifth Test Against Australia

SYDNEY (AP) — In a high-stakes encounter at the Sydney Cricket Ground, India won the toss and elected to bat first in the decisive fifth and final Test against Australia on Friday. With Australia leading the series 2-1, the match holds significant implications for both teams. A win or draw for Australia would secure the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since the 2014-15 series, while a victory for India would level the series 2-2, allowing them to retain the trophy for a record-extending fifth consecutive time.

Bumrah Takes Over Captaincy as Rohit Sharma Exits

Speculation surrounding Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s position in the playing XI came to a head as he was officially dropped for the final Test. Jasprit Bumrah, who captained India to their lone victory in the first Test at Perth, was handed the reins once more. Bumrah has been a standout performer throughout the series, claiming 30 wickets at an astonishing average of 12.83. His contributions have been pivotal in keeping India competitive against a strong Australian side.

Bumrah’s credentials as one of the finest bowlers in Test cricket are undisputed. With 203 wickets at an average of 19.42, the 44-Test veteran is the only player in history to maintain a bowling average under 20 while taking at least 200 wickets in the format.

Rohit Sharma’s exclusion comes after a dismal run of form in the series. Returning to the team in the second Test after missing the opener in Perth due to paternity leave, Sharma managed scores of 3, 6, 10, 3, and 9, averaging just 6.2 across five innings. His struggles led to his replacement by Shubman Gill, who returns to the XI after earlier outings in Adelaide, where he impressed with scores of 31 and 28.

Changes in India’s Lineup

India has also brought in seamer Prasidh Krishna to replace Akash Deep, who is sidelined with back stiffness after bowling 43 overs in the previous match in Melbourne. Krishna’s inclusion bolsters India’s pace attack as they aim to exploit a pitch that appears conducive to seam movement under overcast conditions.

Australia’s Lineup Adjustments

Australia, meanwhile, made a single change to their victorious lineup from the Melbourne Test. Allrounder Mitchell Marsh was dropped to accommodate Beau Webster, who will make his Test debut. Webster has been in stellar form in first-class cricket, averaging 57.1 with the bat and claiming 81 wickets at an average of 31.7 for Tasmania since March 2022.

Mitchell Starc, despite battling rib soreness during the Boxing Day Test, has been deemed fit to play. The veteran pacer will join skipper Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, and Nathan Lyon in Australia’s bowling attack.

A win for Australia in Sydney would secure their place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final for a second consecutive time. The team previously defeated India to claim the 2023 WTC title. South Africa has already qualified for the upcoming WTC final at Lord’s in June after a thrilling victory over Pakistan last weekend.

The Stage is Set

Under overcast skies and on a green-tinged pitch, the SCG promises a gripping contest as both teams vie for supremacy. India will rely on their batting lineup, including stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant, alongside the bowling brilliance of Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Australia, with the experienced duo of Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja, will aim to capitalize on home conditions to seal the series and secure their spot in the WTC final.

Lineups:
Australia: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

As the cricketing world watches, both teams will leave no stone unturned in their quest for glory in what promises to be an electrifying finale to an already riveting series.

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