The head coach of the Australian team, Andrew McDonald, did say that changes will be made but they would be very cautious and limited for the Sydney Test, which is the fifth and last one in the Ashes series, and the very fact that ICC World Test Championship points are influencing the team’s decision. McDonald, despite Australia having already won the series with a score of 3–1, clearly pointed out that they do not want to underestimate the SCG encounter.

The Australian team is going to the Sydney Cricket Ground with the intention to react properly after the MCG upset, a rare case in which England won in the Boxing Day Test by four wickets. There are still discussions about possible changes, but McDonald is already saying that to keep the team’s performance stable is the main point.

"WTC is something that we aim and strive for. Every Test match is vitally important," was the statement in which McDonald not only mentioned Australia’s aspirations in winning the Ashes in the short term but also their long-term goals.

ALSO SEE: VHT 2025-26: CSK uncapped bowler claims 7-wicket figure for Maharashtra ahead of IPL 2026

Khawaja probably going to Sydney as Australia think about Murphy and Webster

One thing that is certain is that Usman Khawaja will take part, with McDonald having absolutely denied the rumor about the veteran player hanging up his boots. Khawaja, who earlier in the series was suffering from back spasms, had a very good game in Adelaide scoring 82 and 40. The coach says there is “no indication” that Khawaja is contemplating retiring from his career, and the performances he has put in this year completely justify his selection.

Debates on selection are likely to happen in other areas. Todd Murphy the spinner is very much in the mix, and McDonald has indicated that the SCG surface could be in favor of a specialist spinner. Australia famously did not include one in Melbourne, a strategic move that McDonald acknowledged is not their first choice.

Another all-rounder Beau Webster is also a possible choice which could mean that Cameron Green would have to make way for him. McDonald referred to it as a “nice problem to have,” and he pointed out the depth of talent available. The fifth Test commences on January 4, with Australia intending to not only end the Ashes series on a winning note but also keep their ambitions for the WTC firmly on track.

Pakistan's batting star Babar Azam has not only joined but also set a high standard in the Big Bash League during his first season, thus giving birth to an extraordinary excitement around Sydney Sixers. The excitement reached its peak just before the much-awaited Boxing Day Bash as the Sixers made the announcement that the special “Babaristan” fan zone at the Sydney Cricket Ground would be expanded due to overwhelming demand.

Babaristan, which was introduced earlier this season, is an active support bay at the boundary that is available at general admission prices. It was designed to spotlight Babar Azam and South Asian cricket culture; the zone was quickly sold out for the home games of the Sixers, mainly drawing the crowd from the Australian Pakistani and South Asian communities. The franchise characterized this area as one that is very open, has a lot of energy, and very high decibels, thus offering the fans a chance to see cricket in its very loudest and most colorful form.

Babar Azam buzz turns BBL games into super events as Babaristan readies for Boxing Day roar

There was a buzz around Babar right from the time his signing was confirmed. Tickets reservations not only in Sydney but also Perth went up, and the local people could not help boasting about the legendary Pakistan captain by calling him "our honor." Babar's presence has transformed the usual BBL matches into super events, indicating his gigantic global fan base.

ALSO SEE: Top 5 Indian batters with most T20I runs in 2025 ft. Tilak Varma

Babar has started to prove the hype on the field. After rather unimpressive scores of 2 and 9 in his first two matches, he showed up with a trendy first BBL fifty of 58 runs off 42 balls against the Sydney Thunder. The innings not only made the critics quiet but also brought up the excitement of fans again before the Boxing Day match.

The large crowd of Babaristan will be singing when the Sixers face the Melbourne Stars, with an exciting duel of Babar against the other Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf. The SCG will be the home ground for thousands of green-clad supporters and it will be a day filled with the passion of the crowd.

Babaristan is no longer just a fan zone, it has turned into a trademark of Babar Azam’s global popularity - once more, he has proven to be one of cricket’s most beloved and marketable stars!

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli's international comeback had a rough start with his rarest back-to-back ducks in the ongoing Australia tour. In the third and final ODI of the series at Sydney, Kohli finally opened his account in the tour, as the crowd celebrated his first single in the series. 

Virat Kohli scored ducks in Perth and Adelaide ODIs

India have already lost the three-match away ODI series against Australia by losing the first two matches at Perth and Adelaide. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma made their international cricket comeback on this tour, their last international match having been in the Final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 last March.

In both the first two games of the series, Kohli was dismissed for ducks. He scored an eight-ball duck in the series opener at Perth, as Mitchell Starc dismissed him. In their next game at Adelaide, Xavier Bartlett trapped him for an lbw on a four-ball duck.

Chasing down the 237-run target, Indian openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma provided a strong start with a 69-run partnership for the first wicket. After the new ODI skipper Gill was dismissed for 24 runs, Kohli got a great welcome from the crowd, as the former Indian captain joined another former Indian skipper.  

Twitter Reactions: Rohit Sharma celebrates successive fifty in AUS vs IND 3rd ODI

Watch: Virat Kohli and crowd celebrations after his first run in Sydney ODI

On the first delivery in the Sydney ODI, Kohli took a single to open his account for the first time in this tour. It was a great celebration from the crowd, while Kohli also celebrated with his smile and fist. We got a similar vibe to what the former Indian cricketers Rahul Dravid and Ajit Agarkar previously experienced in the Australia tour. 

So many emotions! ☺️🥹❤️

He’s off the mark & the crowd has made its happiness loud and clear! 🙌

Will we witness a Chase Master special from #ViratKohli tonight? 🔥#AUSvIND 👉 3rd ODI | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/0evPIuANAu pic.twitter.com/SZiBRnnvUY

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 25, 2025

Ace batter Virat Kohli of Team India and former Australia opener David Warner were seen sharing a special moment before the third and final ODI on Saturday, October 25, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The visual of the modern-day greats talking prior to the toss captured the attention of the fans quickly as they looked back on their years of exciting battles against each other on the field in every format.

Kohli and Warner's spirit was evident as they embraced and exchanged small chat before Team India finished their warm-up routine. The two players have played against each other many times in the past, through international cricket or in the high-pressure games of IPL cricket. One of the more memorable pairings came in the IPL 2016 Final, when Warner's Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) defeated Kohli's Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the first title.

ALSO SEE: Why is Nitish Kumar Reddy not playing today in AUS vs IND 3rd ODI?

For Warner, the SCC meeting was especially meaningful, given that the ground had significant sentimental value, as this was the very venue where the Australian opener played his last red-ball fixture at the beginning of 2024. For Kohli, it was, however, the return to favourite ground(s), where he played his last Test at this venue earlier in the same year in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Before the match, Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh won the toss and chose to bat first, with the home team looking for a rare ODI whitewash over India, following their victories in Perth and Adelaide that made the series already won by the Men in Yellow to finish the contest on their terms.

After Kohli’s expected Test retirement that would happen in May 2025, Warner expressed his admiration through an emotional posting on Instagram for his final friendly opponent in the cricket 'battlefield'. "Absolute legend of our game... I will never forget our first match against each other when we were young players, and you had to fill the shoes of some great players from India, and you did not disappoint... Thank you for being you and getting the best out of all of us who competed against you."

Following recently making a return to international cricket from a seven-month break, Kohli certainly had a difficult series with back-to-back ducks in the recent Test series against Australia, but the image of him and Warner together generates a reminder to cricket fans outside the battle, the respect and admiration for the spirit of the game prevails.

"Rohit Sharma Took the Right Step for the Team": Gambhir Praises Indian Captain

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma recently garnered praise for his leadership decisions during a challenging series against Australia. Former cricketer and current coach Gautam Gambhir lauded Sharma’s selflessness after he chose to sit out the playing XI in the final Test, prioritizing the team’s success over individual contributions.

Gambhir, addressing recent speculations and criticisms, called Sharma’s decision a “bold and team-centric move.” Speaking to the media, Gambhir said, “When a captain makes a decision with the team’s best interests in mind, it reflects true leadership. Rohit Sharma has shown that the team and country come first, setting an example for others to follow.”

Gautam Gambhir - There is nothing wrong if the captain decided to stood down himself due to our of form. I think everyone should put the team first and captain Rohit Sharma did that. 🫡❤️ @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/YNjuuwHGSH

— TEJASH 🚩 (@LoyleRohitFan) January 5, 2025

Struggles with Form and a Tough Call

Rohit Sharma’s performance in the series had been underwhelming, managing just 31 runs across five innings. Recognizing his form struggles, Sharma decided to give opportunities to in-form players in the final Test in Sydney. This move, according to Gambhir, demonstrated maturity and accountability.

“Leadership isn’t just about scoring runs; it’s about making tough decisions. By stepping aside, Rohit ensured the team had the best possible chance of competing. It’s a commendable act that shows his commitment to Indian cricket,” Gambhir added.

ALSO READ:WTC Points Table Update: India Out After Sydney Defeat, Australia to Face South Africa in Final

Gambhir on Media Rumors and Player Futures

The series loss against Australia sparked rumors about potential discord within the Indian team and raised questions about the futures of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Gambhir dismissed these speculations, urging media outlets to exercise caution in their reporting.

“I’ve always believed that a good team thrives on unity, especially during tough times. Speculating about internal issues does no good for the team’s morale,” Gambhir remarked. On the future of Sharma and Kohli, he said, “Both have shown resilience and passion throughout their careers. It’s not for me to decide their future, but I believe they have the hunger to continue contributing to Indian cricket.”

Hosts Australia finally end their decade-long wait to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, as they lifted the 2024-25 trophy after beating the visitors by six wickets in the Sydney Test. The baggy greens have won the five-match home Test series by 3-1.

Starting day three at 142/6, the visitors India were bundled out for only 157 runs, setting the target of 162 runs. Overnight batters Ravindra Jadeja (13) and Washington Sundar (12) were dismissed cheaply. Although the stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah batted and scored a duck, he wasn't available for bowling.  

See Also: Rishabh Pant shatters fastest Test fifty record by visitors in Australia

Scott Boland recorded his first 10-wicket haul

Scott Boland and Pat Cummins both picked two wickets each on the third day to bundle out the visitors for a cheap third innings total. Boland recorded his second Test fifer and finished with bowling figures of 16.5-5-45-6. By claiming six wickets in the third innings, Boland recorded his maiden Test ten-wicket haul, as the right-arm fast bowler also took four wickets in the first innings. Meanwhile, the Aussie skipper Cummins completed the innings with the bowling figures of 15-4-44-3, as he became the first bowler to record 200 wickets in the ICC World Test Championship history. 

Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna bowled hard but the situation became tougher without Bumrah. Initially, Australia were struggling at 58/3, where Marnus Labuschagne (6) and Steven Smith (4) were dismissed cheaply after the opener Sam Konstas (22), as Krishna took all those three wickets. 

Usman Khawaja played important role before Head-Webster's safe guidence

Experienced opener Usman Khawaja, who struggled in the entire series, controlled the hosts innings in the tricky period and guided to the safe zone with Travis Head. Khawaja scored 41 off 45 balls with the help of four fours before Mohammed Siraj dismissed him to complete his 100th Test wicket. While the experienced opener was out, the hosts were still 58 runs away from the target. 

Once again the Test debutant Beau Webster impressed with the bat as he had an unbroken 58-run partnership for the fifth wicket to secure the match as well as the series. While Head was not out for 34 runs, Webster scored 39 not out. 

Scott Boland won the Player of the Match award, while the leading wicket-taker of the series, Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah won the Player of the Series award for picking up 32 wickets. After winning all the previous four Border-Gavaskar Trophies, India ultimately lost the trophy. Australia previously won the trophy in the 2014-15 season at home.  

While India won the five-match Test series opener by 295 runs in Perth under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma started his leadership in the Test series from the second Test. Australia won the only day-night pink-ball Test match of the series at Adelaide Oval by 10 wickets, while the Brisbane Test had a draw result due to massive rain disturbance. Australia won the fourth Test in Melbourne by 184 runs and won the Test series after a six-wicket win against Bumrah-led India in Sydney. 

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia is set for an exciting finale. The iconic Sydney Cricket Ground is hosting the last game of the five-match Test series, where we are experiencing a low-scoring contest with a pace-bowling dominance.

The hosts Australia are leading the Test series by 2-1, as they can win the series and the trophy by only avoiding a defeat in the Test series finale. Australia last time won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the 2014-15 season at home. 

Meanwhile, it is the must-win game for India to end this overseas tour with a 2-2 scoreline and retain the trophy, which they won the previous four times (twice in Australia and twice in India). 

2025 Sydney Test, Australia vs India: 26 wickets in first two days

The first two days of the 2025 Sydney Test experienced very unusual scenes as the pace bowlers from both sides completely dominated. While the opening day of the Test match experienced 11 wickets falling, the second day experienced another 15 dismissals. 

See Also: Rishabh Pant shatters fastest Test fifty record by visitors in Australia

2025 Sydney Test, Australia vs India: Both teams scored 180+ totals in first innings

After the Indian stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah chose to bat first in the ongoing Sydney Test, the visitors scored 185 runs, while the hosts Australia replied with 181 runs. 

Starting their second innings with a four-run lead, India scored 141/6 at the stumps on the second day of the Test match with a lead of 145 runs. Surely, we are going to see a possible low-scoring thriller chase or defense in the unforgettable Test series finale. 

Here are some historic fourth innings stats in the Sydney Test history. 

Highest fourth innings target set: 735 by Australia vs West Indies in 1969 (Australia won by 382 runs)

Highest fourth innings target set with a draw result: 460 by Australia vs England in 1983 (England scored 314/7)

Highest fourth innings target successfully chased: 287 by Australia vs South Africa in 2006 (Australia won by eight wickets)

Lowest fourth innings target successfully defended: 111 by England vs Australia in 1887 (England won by 13 runs)

Fourth innings target successfully chases:

200 or more runs: 6 out of 49 times (11 draws)

175-199 runs: 3 out of 5 times (0 draws)

150-174 runs: 4 out of 8 times (2 draws)

149 or lesser runs: 20 out of 22 times (0 draws)

Since the 2000s

Lowest fourth innings target successfully defended: 176 by Australia vs Pakistan in 2010 (Australia won by 36 runs)

Highest fourth innings target successfully chased: 287 by Australia vs South Africa in 2006 (Australia won by eight wickets)

Fourth innings target successfully chases:

200 or more runs: 1 out of 12 times (4 draws)

199 or lesser runs: 7 out of 8 times (0 draws)

Since 2010s

Lowest fourth innings target successfully defended: 176 by Australia vs Pakistan in 2010 (Australia won by 36 runs)

Highest fourth innings target successfully chased: 141 by Australia vs Sri Lanka in 2013 (Australia won by five wickets)

Fourth innings target chases successfully:

200 or more runs: 0 out of 6 times (3 draws)

199 or lesser runs: 2 out of 3 times (0 draws)

The second day of the Sydney Test was dramatic for both Australia and India, as the Indian pacers and Rishabh Pant's fiery batting set up a great opportunity for the visitors to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by winning the ongoing Test to end the series with a 2-2 result. 

Australia started the second day of the Sydney Test at 9/1 as India ended the previous day with a final ball wicket of the opener Usman Khawaja (2) after the visitors were all out for 185 runs. 

Australia were fighting at 39/4

The hosts were under tremendous pressure from the first hour of the second day as they were battling at 39/4. Skipper Jasprit Bumrah set the tone of the day by taking the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne (2), where they confidently took the review after the not out decision, and the third umpire ultimately brought the decision in the favour of the visitors. 

Mohammed Siraj was strong enough on the second day as he dismissed the opener Sam Konstas (23) and Travis Head (4) in the same over, and Australia were in trouble at 39/4.

Steven Smith lost his wicket just before lunch

Steven Smith got good support from the debutant Beau Webster, who seemed strong with the bat. They strongly built up a 57-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Prasidh Krishna took the wicket of Smith (33) just before lunch in his new spell. At lunch, Australia were batting at 101/5. 

During the lunch break, Indian regular Test captain Rohit Sharma clarified that he just dropped himself from the ongoing Sydney Test as per key requirement, which rubbished all his retirement speculation. 

Watch: Rohit Sharma says "Ye koi retirement ka decision nahi hai"

Debutant Webster scored half-century, Australia were all out for 181 runs

Webster and Alex Carey were also batting well while the visiting team got a blow as the skipper of the match, Jasprit Bumrah, left the venue for a scan. Despite Bumrah's absence, the Indian pacer showed their spirit in the game while the Indian slip fielders were outstanding. 

Webster and Carey had a 41-run partnership for the sixth wicket before Prasidh Krishna bowled Carey for 21 runs. While Webster continued his strong batting, the Indian pacers were desperate for the Aussie tails soon. 

Skipper Cummins (10) and Mitchell Starc (1) were dismissed by Nitish Kumar Reddy on his back-to-back deliveries stretching to his next over, while the debutant Webster shined with a half-century. Finally, Prasidh Krishna dismissed Webster for 57 runs. The tenth wicket partnership added 15 runs as Australia were all out for 181 runs. 

While the skipper Bumrah picked up two wickets (2/33), Mohammed Siraj (3/51) and Prasidh Krishna (3/42) claimed three wickets each, and Nitish Kumar Reddy got two crucial wickets (2/32). 

Yashasvi Jaiswal hit four 4s in the first over

Starting their second innings with a four-run lead, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal started the innings with four fours to the Aussie left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc in the first over of the innings. Openers Jaiswal and KL Rahul set up a 42-run partnership before the batting order faced a collapse.

Scott Boland bowled both the Indian openers as Rahul was out for 13 runs and Jaiswal scored 22 runs. Once again the former Indian captain Virat Kohli (6) fell into the fourth stump delivery against Boland, while debutant Beau Webster took his first Test wicket after Shubman Gill's (13) inside edge was caught by the wicketkeeper Alex Carey. 

Rishabh Pant scored a fiery half-century

While India were struggling at 78/4, Rishabh Pant showed his popular fiery knock to change the momentum. The left-handed batter completed his half-century in 29 balls and scored 61 off 33 balls before he was dismissed by the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins. Pant recorded the second-fastest Test half-century by an Indian and the fastest Test 50 by a visiting batter in Australia.  

At the stumps of the second day of the Test match, India were batting at 141/6. The visitors have earned a lead of 145 runs, and the match is set for an exciting finish. While Ravindra Jadeja (8) and Washington Sundar (6) were the unbeaten batters, Scott Boland picked up four wickets (4/42).

Finally, the popular Rishabh Pant show came, and that too at the most important time. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter’s fiery batting put the visitors in a good challenging position in the Sydney Test. 

The Sydney Test is the series decider of the thrilling five-match Test series Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where the visitors India are trailing by 2-1. It is a must-win game for India to retain the Trophy by ending the Test series 2-2 and staying in contention for the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship Final. 

Under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah in the Sydney Test, India won the toss and chose to bat first. While India scored 185 runs in the first innings, Australia were all out for 181 runs in their first innings. 

Leading by four runs before the beginning of their second innings, Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul provided a positive start, especially Jaiswal who hit four fours to the Aussie left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc in the first over of the innings. After the 42-run opening partnership was broken, India were struggling at 59/3 when Virat Kohli was caught out again at the slip and Rishabh Pant joined the crease.

Also Watch: Rohit Sharma says "Ye koi retirement ka decision nahi hai"

Rishabh Pant started with an over-boundary

Fearless Pant started his innings with a sixer against the dangerous-looking Aussie fast bowler Scott Boland. It was just a start as the left-handed batter completed a 29-ball half-century, the second fastest Test fifty by an Indian, and the fastest Test half-century by a visiting batter in Australia.

Pant also holds the record for the fastest Test fifty by an Indian with a 28-ball half-century against Sri Lanka during the 2022 Bengaluru Test. 

Pant broke an almost 50-year-old record

Meanwhile, West Indies cricketer Roy Fredericks was the previous record holder for the fastest Test half-century by a visiting batter in Australia. During the 1975 Perth Test, the Caribbean cricketer recorded a 33-ball fifty against the hosts. 

Pant scored 61 off just 33 balls to shift the Indian total quickly toward setting a challenging and uncomfortable fourth innings target for the hosts. After playing a powerful knock, where the left-handed batter smashed six fours and four sixes, the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins dismissed him. India ended the second day of the Test match at 141/6 with a lead of 145 runs. 

Two back-to-back sixes to Starc

During the latest innings, which is one of his memorable batting performances in Test cricket, Pant smashed three consecutive fours to the Test debutant Beau Webster (18th over of the innings) and two successive sixes to Starc (22nd over of the innings).

The 31-year-old Indian right-arm fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who is leading the Indian team in the ongoing five-match Test series decider in Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground, brought bad news to the Indian cricket dressing room on the second day of the Sydney Test as he went for the scan. Here, we are coming with all of Jasprit Bumrah's updates on his injury.  

Although Jasprit Bumrah delivered eight overs on the second day of the ongoing Sydney Test, including an over in the second session of the day, he went sideline multiple times. During the second session, he was seen to go to the hospital in a car for a scan. 

See Also: Rohit Sharma clears his present status in Test cricket

Jasprit Bumrah had a back spasms

During the third session of the day, Bumrah returned to the dressing room. After the end of the second day in the Sydney Test, Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna, who is playing in the ongoing Sydney Test, said that Bumrah had back spasms.

Prasidh Krishna said, “He (Jasprit Bumrah) had a back spasms. The medical team is monitoring him. He had a scan. The medical team will update."

Update: Jasprit Bumrah is back in the dressing room. Would have rushed back after seeing India four down. Hope nothing serious and he puts the pads on for some wild swings

— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) January 4, 2025

Nothing serious at the moment

Later, a Times of India report claimed that a well-placed source in the Team India dressing room clarified the present situation of the injured Bumrah. The Sydney Test captain hasn't had any serious injury yet, as he was taken for a precautionary scan after a back spasm. The source further added that Bumrah would be okay to bat while his bowling would be totally dependent on how he would feel on the third day morning. 

The TOI report claimed, “Bumrah was taken for a precautionary scan after a back spasm, but nothing serious at the moment. He should be okay to bat, but a final call on bowling will be taken on basis of how he feels in the morning.”