It is the first time since 2014/15 that Australia have managed to beat India in a Test series. Defeat for India has meant that the team has failed to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship final for the first time.
India resumed the day at 141/6 and could only add 16 more runs to their overnight score before getting bowled out on 157. Scott Boland was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 6 wickets.
All eyes were on India’s stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah as there were questions over his involvement in the remainder of the Test. Bumrah had left the field of play in the second session of day two and visited a nearby hospital for scans. He later rejoined the team. Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna in his post-day conference confirmed that Bumrah had suffered a back spasm.
Bumrah did walk out to bat and lasted only three deliveries before getting clean bowled by Boland. However, he did not come out to bowl in Australia’s second innings.
Needing 162 to win, Australia were 71/3 at Lunch as Krishna struck with with the wickets of Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. Mohammed Siraj removed Usman Khawaja in the post-Lunch session.
But India’s nemesis Travis Head and Test debutant Beau Webster struck an unbeaten 58-run partnership and carried Australia to victory.
Boland was adjudged the Player of the Match for his 10 wickets in Test. Bumrah walked away with the Player of the Series away for his 32 wickets, the most in the series.
Australia had lost the series opener in Perth by 295 runs. They then bounced back to win the Tests in Adelaide and Melbourne by 10 wickets and 184 runs respectively. The match in Brisbane ended in a draw.
First Published: Jan 5, 2025 9:09 AM IST
