Australia clinched an exciting Test series against India with a six-wicket win in the fifth and final match, wrapping up the series 3-1. The game, played at a packed Sydney Cricket Ground decked out in pink for Glenn McGrath’s cancer charity, had fans on the edge of their seats until the last hour when Australia confidently reached their target of 162 runs.

Travis Head and debutant Beau Webster shone under pressure, putting together an unbeaten 58-run partnership to seal the victory. Webster, playing his first Test match, confidently smashed the winning runs with a straight four. Their job was made slightly easier with India’s star bowler Jasprit Bumrah sidelined by a back injury. Bumrah had been a standout performer throughout the series, taking 32 wickets before being forced to sit out the final stretch.

This win also ensured Australia’s place in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s in June. Captain Pat Cummins was ecstatic, calling the series hard-fought and praising his team for their resilience and camaraderie. “It felt like a seesaw the entire series, so finishing it 3-1 and holding the trophy is amazing,” he said.

The match itself was fast-paced, with 15 wickets falling on Saturday alone. On Sunday morning, Australia quickly dismissed India for 157 runs, thanks to their bowlers stepping up in crunch moments. Indian pacers Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj tried to keep things tight, removing four of Australia’s top-order batsmen on a tricky wicket. Krishna took three big wickets, including opener Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith, while Siraj dismissed Usman Khawaja after a gritty knock of 41.

Steve Smith’s dismissal was particularly heartbreaking as he fell just one run short of reaching 10,000 career Test runs, a milestone achieved by only three other Australians. Despite this setback, Head (34 not out) and Webster (39 not out) guided their team home with calm determination.

India, on the other hand, faced challenges throughout the series. All-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin retired mid-series, while captain Rohit Sharma opted out of the fifth Test due to poor form. Even Virat Kohli struggled to leave an impact in what might be his final Test tour of Australia. Yet, Bumrah stood out as India’s best player, consistently giving his team hope whenever he bowled. His absence in Sydney, however, proved costly.

The series also marked a transitional phase for Indian cricket after dominating Australia in their last two tours. Meanwhile, young Australian opener Sam Konstas made headlines with his bold approach against Bumrah in Melbourne and continued to impress in Sydney. At just 19 years old, Konstas has cemented his place in Australia’s future plans.

The bowlers ruled this series as big scores were rare. Australia’s Travis Head was one of the few exceptions, scoring two centuries earlier in the series. But it was Scott Boland who stole the show in Sydney. His remarkable 10-wicket haul across both innings earned him the Player of the Match award and highlighted Australia’s depth in bowling talent.

Despite starting the series with a crushing 295-run loss in Perth, Australia showcased remarkable resilience to dominate the rest of the matches. Both teams displayed world-class bowling throughout the series, making it an unforgettable contest filled with twists and turns.