Lagatar24 Desk
Sydney: Australia clinched the five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series 3-1, reclaiming the coveted title after a decade. The hosts secured a decisive six-wicket victory in the fifth Test at Sydney, capitalizing on their strategic scheduling, which effectively sidelined India’s key pacer, Jasprit Bumrah.
Australia’s Strategic Planning
Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull had forewarned about Australia’s intent to “cook Bumrah” with a calculated series schedule. Speaking on a JioCinema show before the series began, Doull said, “What Australia have done smartly is scheduling. Their biggest threat is Jasprit Bumrah, and they planned to increase his workload early on.”
Australia strategically picked pace-heavy venues for the first and third Tests—Perth and Brisbane—with a pink-ball Test in Adelaide as the second match. This scheduling meant Bumrah had to bowl extensively on demanding surfaces.
Bumrah’s Unmatched Performance
Despite the heavy workload, Bumrah delivered a record-breaking performance, claiming 32 wickets at an average of 13.06 and a strike rate of 28.37, including three five-wicket hauls. His tally surpassed Bishan Singh Bedi’s 31-wicket record for an Indian bowler in an away Test series and equaled Harbhajan Singh’s record for most wickets in a BGT series.
However, a back spasm during the fifth Test at Sydney forced Bumrah off the field, limiting his participation and allowing Australia to capitalize.
Series Highlights and Results
•1st Test, Perth: India dominated with a 295-run victory.
•2nd Test, Adelaide: Australia bounced back with a 10-wicket win.
•3rd Test, Brisbane: The match ended in a draw.
•4th Test, Melbourne: Australia secured a commanding 184-run victory.
•5th Test, Sydney: Australia wrapped up the series with a six-wicket win.
Australia’s triumph not only returned the Border Gavaskar Trophy to their hands but also secured them a place in the World Test Championship final against South Africa in London this June.
Key Takeaways
Australia’s strategy to exploit Bumrah’s workload paid dividends, highlighting the significance of planning and execution in high-stakes cricket. For India, Bumrah’s stellar performance remains a silver lining despite the series loss.
