Australia ensured their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final with a decisive six-wicket win over India in the fifth and final Border-Gavaskar Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The victory not only secured Australia’s hold on the series but also ended India’s hopes of reaching the WTC Final at Lord’s in June.India, needing a win to stay in contention, faltered under pressure. With the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, their leading wicket-taker of the series, the visitors struggled to defend a modest fourth-innings target of 162. Australia chased it down on a tricky surface, riding on contributions from Usman Khawaja (41), Travis Head, and Beau Webster.

The win moved Australia’s points percentage to 63.73 per cent, comfortably securing their place in the Final, where they will face Temba Bavuma’s South Africa. The Proteas confirmed their qualification earlier in the cycle with a tense two-wicket win over Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test.

India, on the other hand, ended with 50.00 per cent of possible points, falling short in their bid to reach consecutive WTC Finals.

India’s missed opportunity

For India, the defeat marked a bitter end to what had been a rollercoaster WTC campaign. A win against Australia would still mean having remote chances to the finale, however, its hope still hinging on Sri Lanka.

Despite strong performances from players like Jasprit Bumrah—who finished as the leading wicket-taker of the Border-Gavaskar series with 32 scalps—the team faltered in key moments.

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Bumrah’s absence on the final day, due to a back spasm sustained earlier in the match, left India’s bowling attack toothless. The pacer had been a cornerstone of India’s success, making his unavailability a significant blow to their chances.

India’s batting struggles were also evident, with their second-innings collapse proving costly. While Rishabh Pant’s fighting 61 provided hope, the rest of the lineup failed to offer resistance against Australia’s disciplined bowling attack.

The WTC final awaits

Australia’s place in the WTC Final sees them poised to defend their championship crown. They will face South Africa on the hallowed turf of Lord’s from June 11, marking a clash between two of the most consistent teams in the cycle.

Sri Lanka, who host Australia in a two-Test series in Galle later this month, were mathematically eliminated from contention after South Africa’s win over Pakistan.