IND vs AUS Match Preview- 5th Test, India tour of Australia 2024-25

Team India's tour of Australia 2024-25 will conclude with the fifth and final Test of the ongoing series. The IND vs AUS game is scheduled to be played from Friday (January 3) at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney.

India are currently behind in the series after their loss in the fourth Test in Melbourne. Australia once again outplayed India and thrashed them by 184 runs to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the IND vs AUS series. With both the teams now set for the final Test in Sydney, here is the preview for the 5th IND vs AUS Test.

IND vs AUS Match Preview- 5th Test, India tour of Australia 2024-25:

IND vs AUS 5th Test Date and Venue:

The upcoming fifth IND vs AUS Test will be played from Friday (January 3) at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. The day will begin at 5:00 AM IST (10:30 AM local).

Squads:

India

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Tanush Kotian, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana

Australia:

Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Beau Webster, Sean Abbott, Josh Inglis, Jhye Richardson

IND vs AUS Key Battles

Sam Konstas vs Jasprit Bumrah:

The cricketing world is definitely excited to see the battle between Sam Konstas and Jasprit Bumrah after what happened in Melbourne. Konstas stunned the cricketing world with his extraordinary assault against Bumrah in his debut Test innings.

In only the third over, Konstas went for a ramp shot against Bumrah, arguably the best pacer in the world. While he could not connect with the ball on that occasion, it did not stop him from taking on Bumrah. Later, he hit two fours as well as a six against Bumrah using the ramp shots as he raced away to 60 off just 65 balls on his debut.

In the second innings, Bumrah was quick to show Konstas why he is widely regarded as the best pacer in the world. The India pace spearhead clean-bowled the Aussie youngster with a stunning delivery. The cricketing world is now eagerly for the third round between Konstas and Bumrah.

Travis Head vs Jasprit Bumrah:

Even though India lost the Test in Melbourne, they managed to keep their tormentor Travis Head silent in both innings. The left-handed batsman who had scored a century in the second and third Test failed to reach even the double-digit mark in the fourth Test.

He was out for a duck in the first innings before being sent back for 1 in the second innings. In both the innings, Bumrah picked up Head's wicket. India will be hoping that their star pacer delivers against Head in Sydney as well and keep him silent.

Pat Cummins vs Rohit Sharma:

This is one battle that India skipper Rohit Sharma would be desperate to win in the final Test. Things have not gone well for Rohit in the series and he will be desperate to make amends in Sydney as India desperately look to win the game.

The India skipper is under pressure not only for his leadership but his batting as well. He has not scored more than 10 runs in an innings in the ongoing series. One man who is primarily responsible for Rohit's woeful form is his Australian counterpart, Pat Cummins.

The Australia captain has dismissed Rohit four times in five innings so far. In Melbourne, Cummins dismissed Rohit in both the innings and will be eyeing more success against him.

IND vs AUS Key Players

IND - Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Jasprit Bumrah will be the key players for India.

AUS - Steve Smith, Sam Konstas, Travis Head, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, and Pat Cummins will be the key players for Australia.

IND vs AUS Weather And Pitch Report:

Rain is unlikely to play spoilsport during the fifth India vs Australia Test. Even though the conditions are likely to be overcast in the first half of the opening day of the Test, rain is unlikely to interrupt the proceedings.

For the next three days, the weather forecast has predicted a bright and sunny day in Sydney. However, light rain could make its presence felt on the fifth day of the Test. The temperature is likely to hover in the 20s during the Test.

As far as the pitch is concerned, the surface will assist both the batters and bowlers. Spinners are also likely to get good help from the surface, especially on the last two days of the Test.

Conclusion:

The series between India and Australia has lived up to the expectations so far. The stage is now set for a thrilling end to the series and both the teams will be giving their all in the upcoming game.