With the 2025 New Year celebrations over, the Indian Cricket Team have now begun their preparations for the next BGT match. Under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah, the Men in Blue will be playing their first Test contest of 2025 in Sydney. This match will be played versus the the Pat Cummins-led Australia from the 3rd of January. 
The Indian Team is currently taking part in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Five-Match Test-Series on Australian soil. The home side currently have the advantage as they are leading the series by 2-1. The fifth and the decisive contest of the series will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The Jasprit Bumrah-led team will be looking to secure a victory by any means in the final encounter in order to retain the precious BGT Trophy. 
<h2>Change in captaincy ahead of the Sydney Test-Match</h2>
Regular Captain Rohit Sharma has decided to drop himself from the final Test-Match as his performance in the entire series has been disastrous, managing to score just 31 runs in five innings versus the Kangaroos. 
A lot of pressure was being created on Rohit and the Men in Blue even won the Perth Test-Match under the captaincy of Bumrah where Sharma was not available as he was away on paternity leave and therefore, the two time WTC Runner's-up will be seen entering the field of Sydney with Jasprit Bumrah as the captain.
<h2>What's the record of Team India in Test-Matches played in Sydney? </h2>
The Indian Cricket Team have a really poor record in Test-Matches played in Sydney. They have managed to reign supreme just once at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), that too 47 years ago.That means if the Blue Brigade manage to secure a victory in the final Test-Match in Sydney, then their shameful winless streak will get broken. 
The Men in Blue have taken part in 13 Sydney Test-Matches so far, managing to win just one and have suffered defeats in five contests. The other remaining matches at this venue between Australia and India have ended in a draw i.e seven draws. 
India won their only Sydney Test-Match way back in January of 1978, where they triumphed over the Kangaroos by a margin of an inning and two runs under the leadership of the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi. This was time when Test Matches used to be of 6 days and there used to be a rest day in between.
Total Tests played in Sydney: 13
Won: 1
Lost: 5
Drawn: 7 
The upcoming 5th Test-Match in Sydney will be must win one for the Jasprit Bumrah-led team if they want to have any hopes of retaining the BGT Trophy. Winning the match in Sydney will also allow them to keep their hopes of qualifying for their third successive WTC Final alive. 
<h2>Playing 11's of both teams for the 5th Test-Match in Sydney</h2>
India (Probable): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Virat Kohli, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah (Captain) and Harshit Rana.
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Sam Konstas, Beau Webster, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Pat Cummins (Captain), Nathan Lyon, Alex Carey (WK), Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/gambhir-vs-agarkar-selection-committee-declined-head-coach-s-request-of-cheteshwar-pujara-s-inclusion-for-bgt-2024-25-reports/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gambhir vs Agarkar? Selection Committee declined Head Coach's request of Cheteshwar Pujara's inclusion for BGT 2024-25: Reports</a>

Jasprit Bumrah of India celebrates the wicket of Australia's Usman Khawaja | Image: Getty Images

The Indian Cricket Team have a shameful record in Test-Matches played in Sydney and they haven't won a single match at that venue since 1978. They would be looking to end this winless streak and rewrite history

IND vs AUS: Team India has a shameful record in Sydney, will the winless streak break in the 5th Test?

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India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah gave heartache to the Indian fans after the pacer got injured during day two of the ongoing fifth Test against Australia. The match is keeping everyone excted at SCG and is heading towards the exciting finish.
Jasprit Bumrah didn't look in great shape during day two of the ongoing game. After removing Usman Khawaja on the last ball of the match on Day one, it was expected that he would set the stage on fire. But the India captain ended up getting injured in the second match of the day. 
Jasprit Bumrah took India's team off to a flying start with the ball on day two as he removed Marnus Labuschagne. But after that, ahead of the lunch break, he was off the field for around 30 minutes. It raised a lot of eyebrows with the captain not being on the field. But the pacer returned to the field in the second session. 
Jasprit Bumrah bowled one over in the second innings but what was noticeable was he was down with his speed. He was bowling at 120 kmph but went after the field after that. He wasn't in the whites but was in the training kit and it raised a lot of concerns about his fitness for the remainder of the game. 
Jasprit Bumrah was then taken for scans, and it was also certain that the fast bowler had something serious. The pacer, after a few hours, then returned to the dressing room again but didn't take the field as he was seen climbing the stairs, which raised a bit of hope.
Later in the press conference, India fast bowler Prasidh Krishna confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah experienced back spasms and hence was taken for the scans. There have been a lot of speculations about whether the fast bowler will be taking the field on Day three or not. 
<h2>Jasprit Bumrah might come out to bat but a final call on his bowling will be taken based on how he feels on Sunday Morning</h2>
Now, the reports in the Times of India have made a massive revelation. It is learned that the fast bowler might come out to bat but a final call on his bowling will be taken based on how he feels on Sunday Morning. 
If he misses the game, it will be a massive blow for the Indian team as they are setting the target. And to defend the target, it will be extremely tough for them to defend without Jasprit Bumrah.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/is-virat-kohli-next-to-be-dropped-virat-averages-less-than-burmah-in-first-innings-since-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Is Virat Kohli next to be dropped? Virat averages less than Burmah in First Innings since 2024</a>

India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah gave heartache to the Indian fans after the pacer got injured during day two of the ongoing fifth Test against Australia

Will Jasprit Bumrah bowl on Day 3? Massive update arrives from Sydney

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India captain Jasprit Bumrah has come under massive scanner for his antics during the ongoing fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The match between the teams is taking place at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. 
In what has been a shocking development, India captain Jasprit Bumrah has been accused of using sandpaper during the ongoing match. Some of the Australian fans, as well as the media personnel, have charged the fast bowler with the allegations, and it has become a massive controversy. 
In a video that has gone viral on the internet, the sandpaper-like thing can be seen around Jasprit Bumrah. The India fast bowler can be seen getting troubled by something in their shoe, and as he decided to check upon that, there seemed to be a sandpaper-like thing. 
As Jasprit Bumrah removed his shoes, the sandpaper-like thing dropped out, and the fast bowler took that out and kept that in his hand. Since the video has gone viral, there has been a lot of buzz around social media, but so far, nothing official has come out from either of the teams or the match officials. 
Jasprit Bumrah has been the hot soup in the Indian team in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The fast bowler is single-handedly carrying the bowling lineup of the team in the ongoing series and is making sure that he helps his team fight hard in the five-match Test series. 
Jasprit Bumrah has been on fire with the ball in the ongoing game as well but he has found himself under some discomfort. The pacer felt back spasm during the second session and was seen leaving the Sydney Cricket Ground and going for the scans in the car. 
There is no clarity if Jasprit Bumrah will be taking over the charge of the team tomorrow or not. The fast bowler's availability will depend on how he feels on a Sunday morning. Although he might come to bat, there is no clarity if the pacer will come to bowl or not. 
Bumrah so far has taken 32 wickets for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The tally of 32 wickets is the most by an Indian bowler in Australia in the history of Test cricket.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/is-virat-kohli-next-to-be-dropped-virat-averages-less-than-burmah-in-first-innings-since-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Is Virat Kohli next to be dropped? Virat averages less than Burmah in First Innings since 2024</a>
<h2>Watch: Jasprit Bumrah gets accused of using sandpaper</h2>

Jasprit Bumrah accused of using sandpaper, video goes viral

India captain Jasprit Bumrah has come under massive scanner for his antics during the ongoing fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Shocking! Jasprit Bumrah accused of using sandpaper, video goes viral

shocking-jasprit-bumrah-accused-of-using-sandpaper-video-goes-viral

Team India is currently participating in the five-match 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series on Australian soil versus the Mighty Australians. The series is currently led by the Kangaroos, who have a lead of 2-1. 
While the Indians kicked off the BGT series on a positive note, securing a comfortable victory in the Perth Test-Match, they have not been able to replicate that success in the remaining matches of the series. They suffered embarrassing defeats in the Adelaide and Melbourne Test-Matches while the Gabba Test-Match was a rain affected one and ended in a draw. 
The Rohit Sharma-led team fell to a shambolic 184 run defeat verus Pat Cummins and his men in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match and this defeat has made the Men in Blue's chances of qualifying for the WTC Final even more difficult. 
Actually, besides the Indian batters even the bowlers did not live upto expectations except Bumrah. While the Vice-Captain of the Team performed exceptionally well but he turned out to be the lone-warrior with the ball as he didn't get the required support from the other bowlers. 
In the first inning of the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match, the 29-year-old dismissed four Aussie batters before picking up a fifer in the 2nd inning. This way, he took a total of nine wickets in that match. 
<h2>The other Indian bowlers are not able to support Jasprit Bumrah</h2>
Statistics show that the performance of Bumrah in the history of the World Test Championship (WTC) have been absolutely phenomenal. This fast bowler has trapped many bowlers with his variations and has used countless number of tricks up his sleeve to decieve them but he is just not able to get the required support from the other end. 
In 35 WTC matches, the Indian Vice-Captain has dismissed 155 batters at a remarkable economy of 2.80 and an amazing average of 18.56. He has also dismissed those 155 batters with a strike rate of 39.78.
<h2>Such has been the performance of Jasprit Bumrah in the World Test Championship</h2>
In the 35 matches of the World Test Championship, Jasprit Bumrah has achieved the feat of taking 5 wickets in an innings 10 times. Apart from this, he has taken 4 wickets in an innings 7 times. Cricket experts believe that Jasprit Bumrah did not get the support of other Indian bowlers and that's the reason why the Men in Blue have struggled to dominate the Aussies. 
If Jasprit Bumrah had got the support of other bowlers, then perhaps the path to the World Test Championship would have been easier for the Indian team, but this did not happen. Let us tell you that in the current series against Australia, Jasprit Bumrah has taken 31 wickets at an average of 12.74.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/preview/hardik-pandya-set-to-lead-india-in-champions-trophy-2025-if-rohit-leaves-his-captaincy-role/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hardik Pandya set to lead India in Champions Trophy 2025 if Rohit leaves his captaincy role</a>

Jasprit Bumrah of India has performed in an exceptional manner in the World Test Championship (WTC) but despite his remarkable displays with the ball, Team India has struggled to capitalise.

Jasprit Bumrah has amazing stats in the WTC with the ball but still Team India is not able to perform well

jasprit-bumrah-has-amazing-stats-in-the-wtc-with-the-ball-but-still-team-india-is-not-able-to-perform-well

The crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground has always been under the scanner, especially when the Indian team plays. During the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the fans in Sydney didn't go easy on the Indian players as they made life tough for them. 
During the last Test between India and Australia, Indian players in Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were at the receiving end of racial slurs. The players of the team were abused by the fans, and it turned out to be a big controversy, with Sydney Cricket management banning the particular section of the ground. 
A similar kind of thing unfolded on Day 1 of the ongoing match between India and Australia. Again, a particular section of the crowd came under the radar. The fans were abusing Indian fans in the stadium as they were seen chanting, "Where is your visa?". The video went viral on the internet with many lashing out at fans. 
The people at the Sydney Cricket Ground were also seen booing Indian players as well. They had a go at Virat Kohli and then later Jasprit Bumrah, who was involved in a massive fight with Sam Konstas during the last over of Day 1 of the ongoing Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. 
Coming to the match, Australia started the last day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 on a dominating note. The visitors carried their good form and put India under massive pressure at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. The start with the bat didn't go the way India would've wanted as both the openers, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, were back early. Shubman Gill, who replaced Rohit Sharma, played a decent hand of 20 runs off 64 balls with two boundaries. 
He, along with Virat Kohli (17), added 40 runs for the third wicket. But both the batters couldn't bat for long as India was left tottering at 72 for four. Rishabh Pant (40) batted with great grit and looked solid before he yet again perished to a wild shot. Ravindra Jadeja (26), too, had a start, but he too couldn't get going for long as India was reduced to 148/8. Captain Jasprit Bumrah (22) hit some shots in the end and took the team to a total of 185. 
Australia, in response, lost Usman Khawaja as Jasprit Bumrah bagged his 31st wicket of the series. At stumps, Australia was 9 for one with 176 runs behind.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/clouds-looming-over-virat-kohli-batter-s-retirement-date-gets-finalised-/">Clouds looming over Virat Kohli! Batter's retirement date gets finalised</a>
<h2>Watch: Australian fans  humiliate Indians at SCG</h2>

The crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground has always been under the scanner, especially when the Indian team plays

Watch: Australian fans humiliating Indians at SCG? Viral video exposes Sydney crowd

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While all the attention has been going towards Rohit Sharma, the retirement of Virat Kohli might be closer than expected. The reports in Indian Express and PTI have suggested that time is ticking for the senior India batter in the longest format of the game. 
Rohit Sharma getting dropped from the Indian XI for the Sydney Test meant that the captain is no longer in the scheme of things in Tests. However, the report in Indian Express stated that Virat Kohli too might be at the helm of tough things when India is set to undergo transition. 
<h2>Selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar will be sitting with Virat Kohli after the ongoing Sydney Test to discuss his future</h2>
It is learned that the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar will be sitting with Virat Kohli after the ongoing Sydney Test to discuss his future. The premier batter has also been going through a rough patch of form and has struggled to score runs, getting out in similar fashion again and again to the balls outside off. 
In the other section of news, reported by PTI, it is learned that Virat Kohli's lean patch of form is making it very difficult for the Ajit Agarkar-led national selection committee to pick him for the England series. India will be playing a five-match series in England later this year, which will mark the new WTC cycle. 
The reports claimed that Virat Kohli had already made the decision to retire at the Oval after the fifth Test against England. However, his ambitions are all set to face a massive setback. This means that the premier batter might be told that he is no longer in plans for the next cycle of the World Test Championship. 
It is also learned that the only senior who will be in plans for the next cycle of the World Test Championship is Ravindra Jadeja. The all-rounder has proved his worth again and again, and there is no chance of removing him from the Test team any time soon as selectors believe there is not much better than him at the moment. 
Coming to Virat Kohli, the India batter has struggled to get going in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The right-hander hit a solid century in the first match at the Perth, and after that, things have been quite tough for him. The premier batter has been getting out to balls outside off.
Virat Kohli faced the same fate in the ongoing Sydney Test. He got out to Scott Boland as he yet again poked at the ball outside off. The batter will have another opportunity in the next innings, and it's fair to say if he fails to get going in the next innings, then it might be curtains for him in the longest format of the game.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/jasprit-bumrah-on-the-cusp-of-rewriting-history-eyes-two-all-time-bowling-records-in-the-final-test-at-scg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jasprit Bumrah on the cusp of rewriting history; eyes two all-time bowling records in the final test at SCG</a>

While all the attention has been going towards Rohit Sharma, the retirement of Virat Kohli might be closer than expected.

Clouds looming over Virat Kohli! Batter's retirement date gets finalised

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India captain Rohit Sharma possibly has played the last match of his career in Test cricket. As per the reports in Indian Express, it is learned that the exit door has been shown to the skipper related to his future in the longest format of the game. 
The reports added that Indian selectors have communicated to Rohit Sharma that they are no longer seeing him on the roadmap for the Tests beyond the Australia series. This means that the Test match in Melbourne was his last match in the longest format of the game. The next WTC cycle for India begins from England tour later this year. 
India captain Rohit Sharma was dropped from the team for the ongoing fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The last game of the series between the teams is taking place at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney and it no doubt will be an extremely crucial game for the team. 
Rohit Sharma was dropped amid his poor returns with the bat in the series. The India captain, since the home Test series against Bangladesh, has been struggling to get going, and his poor form continued even in Australia as he failed with bat both in the middle order as well as an opener. 
<h2>Rohit Sharma was replaced by Shubman Gill in the XI and Jasprit Bumrah was given the leadership role</h2>
Rohit Sharma was replaced by Shubman Gill in the XI and Jasprit Bumrah was given the leadership role. However, a captain getting dropped surely is a signal that the future isn't good for him as there are high chances that he might not be in the scheme of things going into the next World Test Championship Cycle. 
This will be a massive blow personally for Rohit Sharma. With him being at the fag end of his career, it would be very tough for him now to make a comeback into the Indian Test team. The youngsters too have been performing well, and it will not be great news for the team. 
As a leader too, Rohit Sharma hasn't looked great. It was only under his leadership that India lost the home Test series against New Zealand. Even in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, he hasn't looked shared. It remains to be seen what will be his future now. 
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/jasprit-bumrah-on-the-cusp-of-rewriting-history-eyes-two-all-time-bowling-records-in-the-final-test-at-scg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jasprit Bumrah on the cusp of rewriting history; eyes two all-time bowling records in the final test at SCG</a>

India captain Rohit Sharma possibly has played the last match of his career in Test cricket

Exit door shown to Rohit Sharma! Ajit Agarkar communicates to senior batter about the road map

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Indian captain Rohit Sharma's name has been all over the internet for all the wrong reasons after the 37-year-old's decision to drop himself from the playing 11 of the team ahead of the Sydney Test-Match versus the Australians. The Indian skipper is not having a good time with the bat in the ongoing BGT series, managing to score just 31 runs ever since his return to the team in Adelaide Test-Match. 
Not just with the bat, the Men in Blue have not been able to perform well under his leadership, losing the matches in Melbourne and Adelaide and these defeats have allowed the Kangaroos to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match Series. 
Keeping his poor form with the bat and Team India's struggles in the BGT series under his captaincy, the 37-year-old came up with the call to sit out of the Sydney Test-Match. Bumrah replaced him as the skipper in the final match and when he came out for the toss at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday, he revealed that Rohit had decided to take a rest from the final match and therefore, he's not taking part in the Sydney Test-Match. 
However, some media reports have made contradictory claims that the 37-year-old had been dropped from the team after his lackluster performance with the bat in the last three matches of the BGT series. Seeing his name excluded from the team-sheet of Team India have also made many experts and fans think that the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match was the final test game of Rohit's career. 
If the MCG Test-Match were to be his final game in International Cricket too, keeping in mind that he's already 37-years-old, the Men in Blue would be in need of a new One-Day International Captain to handle the leadership duties and lead the team in the 2025 edition of the Champions Trophy in the UAE and Pakistan. 
The name of fast bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya has emerged as the main choice to replace Rohit as the skipper of Team India in One Day Cricket if his career continues to go downhill after his decision to miss the Sydney Test-Match of the BGT 2024-25 series.
"He (Hardik) knows how to lead the teams in crunch situations and the experience which he has as a captain and a fast bowling all-rounder makes him a good choice for leading the team in the 2025 Champions Trophy," a unnamed source told My Khel. 
"We also thought of making Shubman (Gill) lead the team but he's not that experienced and Surya hasn't performed well in One Day Cricket. Therefore, Pandya remains the front runner to lead the team in ODI if Rohit is not going to play," the source of My Khel added. 
Junior Pandya had previously captained the Men in Blue in three One-Day International matches, verus the Windies in July &amp; August of 2023 and versus the Australians in March of the same year.The 31-year-old who doesn't play in the longest format of the game anymore, was earlier viewed as the main candidate to handle the leadership duties in T20 Internationals but the BCCI eventually decided to ahead with Surya following the retirement of Rohit Sharma.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/jasprit-bumrah-on-the-cusp-of-rewriting-history-eyes-two-all-time-bowling-records-in-the-final-test-at-scg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jasprit Bumrah on the cusp of rewriting history; eyes two all-time bowling records in the final test at SCG</a>

Hardik Pandya has become the front runner to lead Team India in the Champions Trophy if Rohit Sharma steps down as the skipper

Hardik Pandya set to lead India in Champions Trophy 2025 if Rohit leaves his captaincy role

hardik-pandya-set-to-lead-india-in-champions-trophy-2025-if-rohit-leaves-his-captaincy-role

The Indian Team under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma suffered a crushing defeat versus the Mighty Australians in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series by a margin of 184 runs. This win allowed the Aussies to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
At the same time, a lot of questions are being asked to captain Rohit Sharma and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir after this defeat in Melbourne. Alongside former Cricketers, the fans are also criticising the coaching methods of Gambhir. Now, a big update has come out ahead of the Sydney Test-Match. 
<h2>Gambhir likely to be sacked if Team India lose in Sydney</h2>
If the Men in Blue fail to secure a win in the Sydney Test-Match, then the difficulties of Gautam Gambhir will increase. According to some media reports, his job as the Head Coach of the Indian Team is under threat. The Sydney Test-Match will decide the fate of Gambhir as the Head-Coach of the Men in Blue. 
If the two time WTC Runner's-up manage to secure a win in Sydney, then the pressure on GG will decrease a bit. However, if they fail to win, then the former KKR Mentor days as the Head-Coach of the Indian Team will be numbered. It will be interesting to see what kind of a decision is taken on Gautam Gambhir's tenure after the Sydney Test.
<h3>India lost a Test-Series on home soil after a span of 12 years</h3>
Before competing in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series versus the Australians, Team India suffered a humiliating 0-3 home Test-Series defeat versus New Zealand. The Tom Latham-led team whitewashed Rohit Sharma &amp; CO in the three-match Test-Series and handed India their first Test-Series defeat on home soil in 12 years. 
At the same time, the Men in Blue have showcased a lackluster display in the BGT series and therefore, Gautam Gambhir, the Head-Coach of Team India is being criticised heavily.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/virat-kohli-and-rohit-sharma-all-set-to-be-part-of-england-odis-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma all set to be part of England ODIs</a>

Gautam Gambhir (R) having a chat with Jasprit Bumrah (L) of India ahead of the Sydney Test-Match | Image: Getty Images

Gautam Gambhir's days as the Indian Cricket Team's Head Coach are going to be numbered if the Men in Blue fail go secure a win in Sydney

IND vs AUS: Gautam Gambhir is going to be under big trouble if India fails to win in Sydney

ind-vs-aus-gautam-gambhir-is-going-to-be-under-big-trouble-if-india-fails-to-win-in-sydney

In what promises to be an intense and exciting encounter, Fierce-Rivals Australia and India will be witnessed locking horns versus each other for one last time in the 5th &amp; the final Test-Match of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series on Australian Soil. Under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah, the aim of the Men in Blue would be to win this forthcoming contest and retain the precious BGT Trophy. We will also be taking a look at the Dream 11 teams ahead of this exciting encounter. 
Currently, the Pat Cummins-led team are ahead in the series as they have a 2-1 lead and this makes the Sydney Test-Match a must win one for the Men in Blue. Winning this test would also keep Team India's hopes of qualifying for the WTC Final alive. 
<h3>IND vs AUS 5th Test: Team Updates of both teams</h3>
Talking about team updates, the Kangaroos have decided to replace all-rounder Mitchell Marsh with 31-year-old Beautiful Webster in the starting 11 for the Sydney Test-Match. India on the other hand, will have to make a forced change as Akash Deep is set to miss the final contest due to a back injury and Prasidh Krishna is expected to replace him in the team.
<h2>IND vs AUS: Head-2-Head Records in Test Cricket</h2>
Fierce-Rivals Australia and India have faced each other 111 times in Test Cricket and out of these 111 encounters, 47 have been won by the Kangaroos while the Indians have finished out on top on 33 occasions. 30 contests between the two teams have ended in a draw while one encounter got tied. 
<h2>IND vs AUS 5th Test: Pitch-Report of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) </h2>
Everyone's eyes are on the pitch of Sydney Cricket Ground. Although it is considered to be the most helpful pitch for spin in Australia. But there is a lot of grass on the pitch a day before the match. Now it will be interesting to see whether the grass is removed on the morning of the match or left as it is. Even after having grass, if the match goes on the fourth and fifth day, then there is every possibility of spin getting help. Three of the top-4 bowlers who have taken the most Test wickets on this ground are spinners.
<h2>IND vs AUS 5th Test: Weather Forecast of the match</h2>
According to AccuWeather's report, there will be no rain for the first 4 days while the threat of rain will loom over the match on the last day. There is an 80% chance of rain in Sydney on the 7th of January. The match may also be a draw due to rain, which will not be good news for Team India. If the Sydney Test is drawn, Team India will lose the series 1-2.
<h2>IND vs AUS 5th Test: Best Dream-11 Team for the Sydney Test-Match</h2>
Batters: Travis Head, Steven Smith and Yashasvi Jaiswal
All Rounders: Nitish Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja
Wicket Keepers: Rishabh Pant
Bowlers: Nathan Lyon, Jasprit Bumrah, Scott Boland, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc

Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-aus-rohit-sharma-opts-out-of-sydney-test-massive-updates-about-indian-xi-arrive-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IND vs AUS: Rohit Sharma opts out of Sydney Test, massive updates about Indian XI arrive</a>

Team India players celebrate Australia's first wicket | Image: Cricket Australia

The fifth and the final match of the 2024-25 BGT series is all set to commence from tomorrow i.e 3rd of January between India and Australia and Dream 11 fans looking forward to making a winnable team can reach our article

IND vs AUS 5th Test: Dream 11 Teams, Pitch Report, Weather Forecast and more

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India batter Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are all set to play the three-match ODI series against England. As per the reports in Times of India, it is learned that both the senior batters of the team will be playing the series and have no intention to take a rest. 
A few days ago, some reports claimed that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli won't be playing the three-match ODI series against England. The duo were speculated to be rested to manage their workload, especially after the hectic Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. 
But it raised many eyeballs as to why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be rested, especially with the three-match ODI series against England being the only series ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The ICC event will be taking place in February-March and it will be a crucial tournament for India. 
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have come under massive pump for their poor returns with the bat. And also with them already announcing their retirement from T20Is, the ODIs against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be extremely important for both the stalwarts. 
The ODI series between England and India will get underway from 6th February at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. The second game of the series is scheduled to take place on 9th February in Cuttack, followed by the last match to be played on 12th at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 
<h2>Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli last played a white-ball game during the ODI series against Sri Lanka</h2>
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli last played a white-ball game during the ODI series against Sri Lanka. The two players will have to play a massive part if India needs to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Rohit Sharma-led side will be playing their games in Dubai as the tournament will be played in a Hybrid model. 
Currently, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are playing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. Both the players have struggled to get going. The skipper, in particular, has looked torrid and is all set to be dropped from the team for the last match of the series. 
Virat Kohli, on the other hand, slammed a century in the opening match of the series. But after that, has looked torrid with the bat. It remains to be seen how he will fare in the last game of the series.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/gambhir-vs-agarkar-selection-committee-declined-head-coach-s-request-of-cheteshwar-pujara-s-inclusion-for-bgt-2024-25-reports/">Gambhir vs Agarkar? Selection Committee declined Head Coach's request of Cheteshwar Pujara's inclusion for BGT 2024-25: Reports</a>

India batter Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are all set to play the three-match ODI series against England.