The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 wrapped up with Australia reclaiming the title in style, defeating India 3-1 in a thrilling five-match Test series. Packed with unforgettable moments, incredible records, and some surprising disappointments from veteran players, the series reminded everyone why Test cricket remains so special.

This victory was a milestone for Australia, marking their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy win since the 2014/15 season. Under Pat Cummins’ leadership, the Aussies showed skill and determination, securing wins in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. India managed a brilliant win in Perth, while the Brisbane match ended in a hard-fought draw, showcasing how closely contested the series truly was.

Australia’s dominant performance also secured them a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. They will take on South Africa at Lord’s later this year, riding high on confidence after this memorable triumph.

For India, Jasprit Bumrah was the shining star of the series. The pace bowler delivered incredible spells, taking 32 wickets at an average of just 13.06. Highlights included his match-winning figures of 8/72 in Perth and 9/94 in Brisbane. Unfortunately, Bumrah missed the decisive Sydney Test due to a back spasm, which was a major blow to India’s chances. Despite the team’s loss, Bumrah’s remarkable performance etched his name in history, tying Harbhajan Singh’s record for the most wickets in an India-Australia Test series.

While India’s experienced batters struggled, young debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal stepped up in a big way. The 22-year-old was India’s top run scorer, amassing 391 runs at an average of 43.44. His fearless century (161 runs) in Perth was a standout moment, and his confident batting against Australia’s world-class bowlers has secured him a spot in India’s future plans.

Both teams saw young talents rise to the occasion. For Australia, 19-year-old Sam Konstas grabbed attention with a quickfire 60 on debut in Brisbane. Meanwhile, India’s Nitish Kumar Reddy showcased his all-round skills by scoring his first Test century in Melbourne and contributing crucial wickets throughout the series. These emerging stars highlight the bright future of cricket for both nations.

The series also revealed challenges faced by aging players. Indian captain Rohit Sharma had a tough time, scoring only 31 runs in three matches before being dropped for the final Test. Virat Kohli did hit a brave century in Perth but struggled overall, finishing with just 190 runs across five matches. This raised concerns about his consistency in Test cricket.

For Australia, Usman Khawaja also faced difficulties as he struggled for runs, managing only 41 in Sydney’s second innings. These performances hinted at the challenges veteran players face as they near the end of their careers.

One of the standout performers for Australia was pacer Scott Boland. He was unstoppable in the Sydney Test, taking 10 wickets for just 90 runs. His pinpoint accuracy and ability to move the ball off the pitch were game-changing and played a huge role in Australia’s series win.

This was also the first time India and Australia faced off in a five-Test series, and fans showed up in record numbers. The Melbourne Test alone saw an incredible 373,691 fans over five days—breaking a record that had stood since the 1936-37 Ashes series. It was a reminder of how much people still love and support Test cricket.

India’s failure to reach the WTC final and their overall series loss have highlighted areas they need to work on. With senior players struggling and a transitional phase looming, tough decisions will need to be made to rebuild the team for future challenges. However, with rising stars like Jaiswal and Reddy coming into their own, there’s hope for brighter days ahead.

For Australia, this win is a massive boost as they prepare for the WTC final. Players like Steve Smith and Scott Boland will be key to carrying their momentum forward.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 will go down as one of those unforgettable contests that celebrated everything great about Test cricket—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. With Australia on top and India looking to bounce back stronger, fans can’t wait for the next chapter of this epic rivalry!