A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official has assured that all stadiums will be ready in time for the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19.
Footage has appeared on social media of renovations to stadiums not yet completed with the tournament just over a month away. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, and Karachi’s National Bank Stadium are the venues.
Geo TV’s sports correspondent Sohail Imran shared a video of Gaddafi Stadium on January 7. It looks like there is a lot of work to be done, which has left some fans worried.
PCB official: Pakistan’s stadiums will be ready for the 2025 Champions Trophy
Speaking to IANS, a PCB official said that there is no need to worry about what’s being said on social media.
“All work will be done by the first week of February. Pakistan will successfully host the Champions Trophy. No need to go by any rumours,” the PCB official said, as quoted by Times of India.
“We are committed to give our best. There are people who are trying to tarnish Pakistan’s image on social media. We know who all they are and why they are doing this,” the official continued.
Pakistan’s confidence in the venues has seen the ODI tri-series featuring New Zealand and South Africa shifted from Multan to Lahore and Karachi. This tri-series serves as perfect preparation for the three sides. It begins on February 8.
India will play their Champions Trophy games in Dubai, part of a long-drawn hybrid plan after the BCCI opted not to travel to Pakistan. India and Pakistan will play their match in the UAE, part of a group featuring Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa make up Group B. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
The rich tapestry of cricket history unfolds through its legendary stadiums, with each venue carrying unique architectural elements and cultural significance that transcend mere sporting facilities. While to some these places are of no importance, the events that take place in these arenas are a remarkable illustration of why people love sports. Here is a look at nine incredible and iconic cricket stadiums around the world.
Established in 1814, Lord’s Cricket Ground in London stands as cricket’s spiritual centre. Its distinctive Victorian pavilion and famous slope, approximately 2.5 meters from one side to another, create unique playing conditions that continue challenging modern cricketers. Historical records suggest the slope developed naturally, though precise documentation remains incomplete. The venue houses significant cricket artifacts, including what many consider the sport’s oldest documented bat, though dating accuracy remains subject to ongoing research.
Eden Gardens: The Colosseum of Cricket (India)
Kolkata’s Eden Gardens represents the passionate relationship between cricket and the Indian subcontinent. While exact historical attendance figures vary, the stadium’s atmosphere reportedly influences match outcomes. Architectural acoustics studies suggest the stadium’s design amplifies crowd noise, creating what players describe as an overwhelming experience, though specific acoustic properties require further research.
Wankhede Stadium: Mumbai’s Modern Marvel (India)
Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, constructed in the 1970s, offers unique architectural features adapting to coastal conditions. Research indicates its design facilitates natural airflow, though the exact impact on playing conditions remains understudy. The stadium’s proximity to the Arabian Sea potentially influences pitch behaviour, according to groundskeepers, though conclusive studies are pending.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium: Innovation Hub (India)
Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium pioneers environmental initiatives in cricket infrastructure. Its solar panels and water recycling systems represent emerging trends in sustainable stadium management, though long-term effectiveness data remains preliminary. Studies suggest its sub-air system influences playing conditions, though exact correlations require further analysis.
Melbourne Cricket Ground: The Southern Giant (Australia)
The MCG’s evolution since 1853 parallels Australia’s sporting culture development. According to 1xbet, Australia are favourites again to take out another home Ashes series in 2025/26, with the Boxing Day Test one where the hosts are so difficult to beat.
The venue’s seasonal transition between cricket and Australian Rules Football presents unique challenges that groundskeepers continue to master. They will have to do so especially in March 2027 as the ground will host a one-off Test against England to mark the 150th anniversary of Test cricket.
Sydney Cricket Ground: Heritage Meets Innovation (Australia)
The SCG blends Victorian architecture with modern facilities, though preservation efforts face ongoing challenges. Studies suggest its pitch characteristics differ from other Australian venues, possibly due to unique soil composition, though definitive research continues. The ladies’ pavilion represents significant cultural heritage, with historians still uncovering details about its early years.
The Oval: London’s Pioneer (UK)
The Oval’s history extends beyond cricket, hosting England’s first international football match. Research indicates its square shape influenced early cricket strategy, though historical tactical records remain incomplete. The gasometer’s impact on wind patterns potentially affects swing bowling, according to some experts, though comprehensive studies are lacking.
Wanderers Stadium: The Bullring (South Africa)
Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium, nicknamed “The Bullring” for its intimidating atmosphere, sits at high altitude. Studies suggest the thinner air affects ball flight characteristics, though exact impacts vary by weather conditions. The venue’s drainage system reportedly handles extreme weather effectively, though comparative analysis with other grounds continues.
Kensington Oval: Caribbean Character (India)
Barbados’ Kensington Oval embodies West Indian cricket culture through its unique architecture and atmosphere. Historical records indicate significant cultural events beyond cricket, though early documentation remains fragmentary. The stadium’s renovation for the 2007 World Cup preserved traditional elements while adding modern amenities, balancing heritage with progress.
Modern Implications
Contemporary cricket venues increasingly emphasise technology integration and sustainability. Emerging research explores relationships between stadium design and performance metrics, though methodologies vary significantly. Economic impact studies suggest these venues influence local development, though precise measurements remain challenging.
These iconic venues continue shaping cricket’s evolution while preserving its traditions. Their influence extends beyond sport into cultural and economic spheres, though many aspects of their impact warrant further study. Understanding these complex interactions helps inform stadium development decisions, while recognising that many conclusions remain preliminary pending additional research.
SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith believes T20 leagues like the UAE’s ILT20 are “not good for the game” as they field majority overseas players in playing XIs.
Ahead of what promises to be another big season of SA20 action, Smith believes the league prioritises local players with a minimum of seven South Africans required in a playing XI. Also, there must be at least 11 South African players in an SA20 squad of 19, including a local rookie player under the age of 22 not previously contracted to the tournament.
The ILT20, on the other hand, allows up to nine internationals in a playing XI. Both tournaments will run at the same time again.
SA20 invests more in local players than ILT20: Graeme Smith
Speaking at the captain’s day press conference on the eve of SA20 2025, Smith said, “We see ourselves as very different to the ILT20. We’re a South African league, with a majority of South African players and our ultimate goal is to benefit South African players.
“We’ve been built up against ILT20, so it’s very difficult for me to not come across like I’m bad-mouthing them, but I do feel like a league like that is not good for the game; that there’s that many international players required to build a team; there’s no investment back into local cricket. That is a challenge for the world game and something that needs to be managed going forward.”
The SA20 2025 season begins on January 9, starting with Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) against MI Cape Town (MICT). SEC won the title in each of the first two seasons, including a dominant performance in the 2024 final.
” I do feel like a league like that is not good for the game; that there’s that many international players required to build a team; there’s no investment back into local cricket.”
Graeme Smith on the UAE’s ilt20
Another big season is expected after ten sold out matches in SA20 2024. Also, 70% of the overall tickets available were sold. That and the SA20 investment in grassroots cricket has Smith excited.
“Our franchises are also starting to build academies and scouts and do things on the ground which will really benefit the ecosystem. We’re hoping in the next coming two to three years that you’ll really see the impact of SA20 at the grassroots level,” he said.
Australia named their 16-man squad for their two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, which begins on January 29 in Galle. There were a couple of surprises, most notably 21-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly, who has played just four Tests to date.
Australia squad for two Tests against Sri Lanka: Steve Smith (c), Travis Head (vc), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
In other squad news, Pat Cummins is unavailable due to the impending birth of his second child. Steve Smith will lead. Mitchell Marsh, who was dropped for the SCG Test against India, has been left out for Sri Lanka as well. Other notable omissions are Peter Handscomb and Glenn Maxwell as the selectors have opted for youth.
Predicted Australia XI for 1st Testvs Sri Lankaat Galle
1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Sam Konstas, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Steve Smith (c), 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Mitchell Starc, 9. Nathan Lyon, 10. Todd Murphy, 11. Matt Kuhnemann
Opening conundrum
There are some big calls to make for Australia ahead of the first Test. Given Travis Head enjoyed the opening role in India in 2023 (223 runs at an average of 55.75 and strike rate of 71.47), will the selectors look to put him back at the top? If so, who misses out – 19-year-old Sam Konstas or 38-year-old Usman Khawaja?
“Trav’s an option (to open),” Bailey said in a press conference after the squad announcement, as quoted by cricket.com.au. “We’ve got a number of options and there’s been a few preliminary discussions around where that may land, and that may depend on the makeup of that first XI. I think Andrew (McDonald) and Steve (Smith) will settle on that in due course, once we hit Sri Lanka.”
If Head opens, one of Khawaja or Konstas will be left out. Khawaja’s experience, plus his improved batting against spin in recent years, are factors the selectors may wish to go with. But, with a World Test Championship (WTC) Final place sewn up, is it time Australia test new players, such as Nathan McSweeney or Josh Inglis in the middle order with Head and Konstas to open?
Because of WTC qualification, the selectors may be willing to try Konstas right away. If picked, he will certainly be tested against left-arm spin – a bowling type he has been dismissed by a few times in recent weeks, namely Ravindra Jadeja on Boxing Day and twice in the BBL before the fourth Test against India.
Should Australia go for the Konstas-Khawaja opening combination, it is difficult to see how Nathan McSweeney, Josh Inglis or Connolly force their way into the XI. However, there is pressure on Marnus Labuschagne to perform given there are other players knocking on the door and Cameron Green is nearing full recovery from a back injury.
Make up of the bowling attack
The make up of the bowling attack is another talking point ahead of the first Test. Conditions in Galle aid spin and you wouldn’t expect the Sri Lankans to produce a surface with any major assistance for the seam bowlers. So, do Australia still play both Boland and Starc?
Matt Kuhnemann is a must. Left-arm spin is so effective at Galle. The likes of Rangana Herath (102 wickets at 24.94) and Prabath Jayasuriya (71 wickets at 21.79) have enjoyed great success there.
However, if Australia opt for two frontline seamers, will they leave out exciting prospect Todd Murphy or take a risk by leaving out a left-arm spinner? In truth, all three of Murphy, Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon should play given the conditions, with Beau Webster another seam option should they need it.
If the three-spinner strategy is what Australia go with, they may opt for Starc in the first Test given his ability to reverse swing the ball. That being said, there is argument to leave Starc fresh for the second Test at the same venue, where ground conditions may be more abrasive.
Australia are seeking their first series win in Sri Lanka since 2011. They lost 3-0 in 2016 and drew 1-1 in 2022. In fact, Australia have won just one series in Asia since then – Pakistan in 2022.
The poor run of form has his doubters feeling justified. There was a view that Gambhir didn’t have the merit for the position given his experience as an IPL mentor to date. However, according to Cricbuzz, India are likely to persist with Gambhir for the foreseeable future, and it will be interesting to see how the head coach responds from here.
Gautam Gambhir likely to have secured his position as Head Coach for the long haul, recent defeats unlikely to affect his tenure. (Cricbuzz). pic.twitter.com/KV1vaza4aS
Gautam Gambhir: India coach yet to put his thoughts as analyst into action as coach
Over the years, Gautam Gambhir has been vocal of the role bowlers play in winning matches at tournaments. On the eve of home Tests against Sri Lanka in 2022, Gambhir said Rohit Sharma won’t face difficulties as Test captain because of what Virat Kohli set up from a bowling point of view. During the 2023 ODI World Cup, Gambhir said bowlers win you tournaments.
“This is what I have been saying from such a very long time; it’s the bowlers that win you tournaments and not batters and that’s exactly what our bowlers have shown today,” Gambhir said after India beat England, as quoted by India Today.
“I hope going forward we talk more about Mohammed Shami [who took four wickets against England at Lucknow]. Ever since his comeback in this lineup, it’s a completely different bowling lineup now and this was probably the best spell that I have seen from a fast bowler, bowling while chasing. It was incredible. Fast bowling of the highest quality. The pace, the lengths, the seam position, everything.”
"GG should have known from the start. Bowlers win you matches"
Even as coach, Gautam Gambhir has spoke on the importance of bowlers. He even called for India’s “batsman-obsessed” culture to end as recently as October.
“This is the era of bowlers. Batters only set up matches. This batsman-obsessed attitude of ours needs to end. If a batter even scores 1,000 runs, it doesn’t guarantee victory,” Gambhir said at a press conference before the India-New Zealand Test series, as quoted by Times of India.
“But if a bowler takes 20 wickets, then there is a 99 per cent guarantee that we will win the Test match.”
However, what India have produced compared to what Gambhir has said is like chalk and cheese. Despite playing at home against New Zealand, who hadn’t won a Test in India since 1988, India were on the defensive, with nearly a quarter of deliveries resulting in singles and twos. It is reflective of Rohit Sharma’s captaincy approach in Tests, but Gambhir, as coach, surely has a say on how the team should play despite the obvious PR ahead of the Sydney Test against Australia.
The Devendra article was planted by Gambhir not by Rohit. Hence proved.
Speaking of Australia. India ran Jasprit Bumrah into the ground, forcing him to bowl him spell after spell as the lack of depth came to the fore. The lack of consistent support for Bumrah was a key area of concern in Adelaide and Brisbane, but India instead chose to strengthen their batting by playing two spinners – Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar – in Melbourne and Sydney. Bumrah, as feared by many, went down injured.
Sure, Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy and got India back into the contest at the MCG. Their 127-run stand was a terrific show of grit and determination, and the time it took out of the game gave India hope that a draw would be the worst result they would achieve.
The issue, though, is they conceded 474 and were playing from behind. In Australia’s second innings, India didn’t finish off the job after reducing the hosts to 91/6 and a lead of just 196. Pat Cummins’ team went on to lead by 339 and India’s chances of victory went up in smoke.
However, the big red flag was Sydney. India went in with the same combination on a very green pitch, opting for the extra batting that Gambhir has often spoken against. Playing two spinners with Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj already having big workloads was a huge risk. They ran out of juice with the series on the line on an SCG pitch that was still challenging to bat on by the time Australia’s run chase began.
The clarity of the Shastri and Dravid eras is gone. I didn't think it would go away so easily. But it has. The Gambhir era is a return to the old days of thinking like a mid-table Test team. Perhaps mid-table is where IND are headed.
Jadeja bowled three overs in the entire Test. Sundar came on for the first time when Australia needed 11 to win. It is a clear contradiction to Gambhir’s views on bowling depth as an analyst and even in press conferences as coach
If the pre-SCG Test Indian Express article is true that Gambhir “let the team do what it wanted for ‘the last six months'”, then that is not someone who has the mindset to give India a tactical edge. For Gambhir to succeed, he needs to implement his views we have seen and heard more strongly than he is currently.
Next up is the Champions Trophy. India, under Rohit Sharma as white-ball captain, should be in the final four at the very least. If not, the pressure will only amplify.
India’s next Test assignment is England away in mid-2025, and we can assume Gambhir will be there. It will be interesting to see his approach as coach in terms of the team combination he helps to select, as well as how long he persists with underperforming players. How positive India will be in their quest for a first series win in England since 2007 is the key question.
Kagiso Rabada believes South Africa have what it takes to beat Australia in the 2025 World Test Championship Final (WTC) at Lord’s. Rabada, one of the world’s premier fast bowlers, says Test cricket is still alive and it’s the best format for the Proteas at the moment.
South Africa have won seven straight Test matches, sealing qualification to the WTC Final courtesy of a thrilling two-wicket win against Pakistan in Centurion. They then won the second Test by ten wickets in Cape Town.
“One hundred per cent, Test cricket is still alive. It’s our best format that we’ve been playing right now,” Rabada said on SuperSport following victory against Pakistan, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
“When you look at South African cricket and all our legends, they’ve all been great Test cricketers. The world’s best players are Test cricketers, and this series against Pakistan has been a wonderful advertisement for Test cricket, especially in South Africa.”
South Africa vs Australia is a great rivalry – Kagiso Rabada
Rabada spoke highly of the WTC Final, mentioning that it’s a big occasion the Proteas are excited for. In Bangladesh last year, wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne said the team spoke about reaching the final on a regular basis.
“It’s actually quite some distance away, but a big occasion like the World Test Championship final gets you up for it,” Rabada said.
The fast bowler is also looking forward to another chapter in the South Africa-Australia rivalry. Both sides play attacking cricket, headlined by excellent fast bowling attacks. There have been fiery matches between the two nations, rearing to its head in the infamous 2018 series.
“South Africa versus Australia has always been an intense rivalry, because we play cricket quite similar. We play hard – and they’re going to come hard at us, and we know that,” Rabada said.
“But we also know how to beat them.”
Rabada has an excellent record against Australia. He has taken 49 wickets in ten Tests at an average of 23.08 and strike rate of 39.9. He forms part of an excellent pace-bowling brigade for the Proteas, which includes Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee and teenager Kwena Maphaka.
In addition to the bowling, South Africa’s batting has also improved, with Temba Bavuma leading the way. The skipper has struck 1,690 runs at an average of 49.7 since the start of 2021, and holds the key against the Australians.
“I think any captain who wants to lead from the front, they want to lead through performance as well, and that’s what Temba’s done exceptionally well,” said coach Shukri Conrad.
“He’s not lost a game as captain of South Africa (winning eight out of nine Tests). Leading from the front, turning out the performances he’s had, he’s probably in the form of his life.
“I haven’t seen him play any better, and that obviously gives you a lot of confidence when you’re captaining as well. I wouldn’t want anyone else to be captaining us.”
The WTC Final will take place at Lord’s on June 11. There is a reserve day in case inclement weather intervenes.
The two-tier Test cricket structure has been a topic of conversation for a number of years, particularly with the rise of T20 cricket. It is no secret former England captain Michael Vaughan is a supporter of the concept.
“I’m a big advocate for two-division Test match cricket — two leagues of six and every two years one team will go down and one team will come up,” Vaughan said in December, as quoted by Fox Sports Australia.
Former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri is also a supporter. He believes the system is the way to keep Test cricket alive and thriving.
“I’ve been a firm believer in that if you want Test cricket to survive and be alive and thriving, I think that’s the way to go,” Shastri said on SEN during the fifth Test between Australia and India. “The top teams play against each other more often, so there is a contest; you want contests.”
They – and other supporters of the idea – may get their wish sooner rather than later. According to The Age, new ICC chairman Jay Shah will meet Australia chair Mike Baird and England Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson later this month to discuss the concept following the huge attendances and ratings in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Let’s be real. “Two-tier” is the term they want you to hear. “Big 3” is the reality.
Under the two-tier Test structure, India, England and Australia can play each twice every three years instead of every four years. As an Australian, such a concept is extremely disappointing as more is not always better. Part of why the 2024/25 BGT was so successful is because it had a special feel to it. India hadn’t toured Australia for Tests in four years, so it was an event you didn’t want to miss. If they had toured two years ago, it wouldn’t have the same spark.
India, England, and Australia playing each other even more than they do now would be overkill. It would lose its charm. Too much of anything loses its value. It’s human nature.
The idiocy of those running cricket never ceases to amaze me. This is awful, awful news. I can’t believe they’re this stupid. Soon the Ashes will seem run of the mill and about as unique / special as eating turkey on Boxing Day. https://t.co/amQumy5XVW
Now to the current landscape. Shastri’s comments in particular come as a surprise. 2024 was one of Test cricket’s most memorable years, with a number of unpredictable results, perhaps none more so than New Zealand’s 3-0 triumph in India. Add to that West Indies’ Test win in Australia, Sri Lanka’s win in England, Bangladesh’s 2-0 series triumph in Pakistan, and Pakistan’s 2-1 win over England, and you have a great platform to market Test cricket.
2024 was only the second year in which eight teams won an away Test. West Indies drew with Aus in Aus, NZ beat India in India, Pakistan came from 1-0 down to beat England. But of course, what Test cricket needs to be competitive is the Big Three playing only each other forever
Instead, cricket’s powerbrokers are at the mercy of broadcasters, and don’t wish to think of the future. Overkill can turn fans away, and broadcasters will suffer in the long run if that does indeed transpire.
Will an Australia-India series generate such buzz, attendances and ratings if they play every year? What would the Ashes be reduced to? Questions to consider.
The implications of a two-tier Test system on other nations
The Age reports the top tier would feature Australia, England, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, while West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe would make up the second.
Spare a thought for the nations in the second division. It is already a fight as it is for Test cricket to be profitable. No matches against top teams for an extended period would be damaging. You wouldn’t blame those boards for casting Tests aside further, and the question then needs to be asked: what motivation would a youngster have to play Test cricket? Would Vaughan, Shastri and the two-tier supporters have an answer?
“I dare say the West Indies need to be invited to these geographies to play because a Test match in the West Indies today is a dead-rubber unless it’s against India, England or Australia where we get revenues from television,” said former West Indies Cricket president Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron back in 2020.
When this concept was talked about in 2016, then-BCCI president Anurag Thakur was on the money. “The BCCI is against the two-tier Test system because the smaller countries will lose out and the BCCI wants to take care of them. It is necessary to protect their interests,” he said.
“In the two-tier system, they will lose out on a lot, including revenue and the opportunity to play against top teams. We don’t want that to happen. We want to work in the best interests of world cricket and that is why our team plays against all the countries.”
The farcical outcome of the farcical WTC always had two possible solutions. One, make a better WTC for everyone, or two, just tilt everything in favour of the big three. What a shock it is to see which one cricket has plumped for. https://t.co/ZFIKqgeWzH
Even those nations not named India, Australia and England in the first division would suffer. Because the three will play each other more, it means less opportunities for the others, and hence less revenue. The lower the revenue, the lower Test cricket sits on the priority list, and the more the format suffers.
Also, a two-tier Test structure would rob us of players making their name and performing brilliantly against higher-ranked nations. Less than a year ago, Shamar Joseph produced one of the all-time great performances on Australian soil. Later in 2024, Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana had Pakistani batsmen hopping and jumping at Rawalpindi. Soon after, Mitch Santner enjoyed his finest hour in Tests as the Black Caps took down India in one of the all-time series upsets.
Plus, do we not want to see more of Kagiso Rabada having a crack at England or Australia? Or Will O’Rourke on an Australian pitch? World cricket has exciting talent to offer. Fans shouldn’t be robbed of seeing them taking on the best in the world more often.
Jay Shah’s reign as ICC chairman would be off to a poor start
Jay Shah has previously spoken of his desire to see Test cricket grow around the world. “While the T20 is a naturally exciting format, it is equally important that Test cricket remains a priority for everyone as it forms the bedrock of our game,” Shah is on record of saying. “We must see to it that cricketers are driven to longer format and our efforts will be channelised towards this goal.”
How exactly does a two-tier Test structure help the format remain a priority for everyone? How will cricketers be driven to play Tests? The move to this concept would go a long way to eliminating both and prove Shah’s doubters right.
One can hope other nations will oppose this structure and that it doesn’t go ahead. If it does, it will be an extremely sad and damaging time for this incredible and traditional format of the game.
For the first time since 2017, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) is back in the hands of Australia after their 3-1 win. Beau Webster’s winning runs were met with raucous cheers and applause from the Australian fans at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), confirming the end of India’s BGT streak, which had stretched to four.
The 3-1 scoreline accurately reflects the series, with Australia much the better team since Perth. Pat Cummins’ team played from in front in each of the four Tests, with India offering hope of stunning comebacks in Melbourne and Sydney, buoyed by the events of 2020/21.
However, India have been a shadow of their previous selves in Australia. While the pitches had more in them for the bowlers this time around, the absence of the rock that is Cheteshwar Pujara was felt. Also, the fact the surfaces offered more only amplified the disappointment around the reliance on Jasprit Bumrah, whose injury at the end of the series was a nightmare come true for India fans.
Key reasons why Australia went on to win the BGT 3-1
Australia and India had questions about the batting heading into the series, but the hosts delivered more when it mattered
For Australia, Steve Smith was back at four and Nathan McSweeney was given the task of opening the batting thanks to his strong First Class form in the past 12-18 months. Smith, along with Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja and Travis Head, were coming off an under-par season collectively in 2023/24, with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh the only top six batter to average 40 in this World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
India also had their questions. Coming off a shock 3-0 home loss to New Zealand, the form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli was firmly under the microscope, while Shubman Gill still had to prove some doubters wrong as to his viability as a long-term number three. With Yashasvi Jaiswal on his first tour of Australia, the fear was India may rely too heavily on counterattacking brilliance from Rishabh Pant to get them out of trouble.
In the end, Australia answered the questions better. India passed 200 just thrice in their nine completed innings, while the hosts struck 337, 445 and 474 to set up the Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne Tests. Overall, India averaged 21.38 per wicket in their first innings, while Australia averaged nearly eight runs more at 28.82. KL Rahul started the series so brightly, arguably holding the mantle as India’s best batter this series after three Tests, but the fact he finished with an average of 30.66 is classic Rahul.
KL Rahul promised so much more in the 2024/25 BGT series.
Travis Head won man of the match in both Adelaide and Brisbane courtesy of his superb hundreds that put Australia on top. Steve Smith also enjoyed a return to his old ways in the third and fourth matches, with his MCG knock a convincing one to put Australia in the driving seat. Marnus Labuschagne, following his horror outing at Perth, hit three half-centuries in his next six innings.
Travis Head was key for Australia in their 3-1 series win.
It feels Labuschagne isn’t out of the woods yet given some of his recurring dismissals behind the wicket, but even his returns are the kind India would have been pleased to see from their underperforming stars. 22-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal may have sore shoulders of his own after carrying the weight of responsibility given the struggles of Rohit and Virat, with the captain averaging 6.1 in his three Tests and the latter dismissed in the channel all eight times.
Incredible Virat Kohli stat.
Of the 19 cricketers to ever score 9,000 Test runs, he is the only one without an average of 50+ in a country other than his own.
The other 18 have an average of 50+ in at least two foreign countries, while 17 have 3+ 😬 @FoxCricket#AUSvIND
Sam Konstas was brought in for Boxing Day at the expense of McSweeney, with the task of asking different questions of Bumrah. He did, and while there are question marks around his dismissals, the performances of others around him, especially debutant Webster in Sydney, ensured Australia benefitted from the quick starts the 19-year-old provided.
Australia were tactically superior as India went defensive to mask their flaws
Because of India’s shaky batting and Rishabh Pant’s own under-par series, India were willing to sacrifice bowling prowess for a longer batting lineup. They played two spinners – Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar – with the main benefit of the longer batting lineup alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy to replicate the kind of lower-order contributions Cummins produced with the bat.
However, there is the bowling side India needed to consider. The best discipline of Cummins’ game is of his course his bowling. You can’t replicate Cummins as an overall player with two spinners in these conditions and another seam bowler whose a better batsman at this point of his career.
Pat Cummins responsed brilliantly after the disappointment of Perth.
Sundar made a strong contribution with the bat in the first innings at Melbourne, batting 162 balls and combining for 127 runs with centurion Reddy, which increased India’s hopes of a draw given the time it took out of the game. However, India had conceded 474 and were relying too heavily on Jasprit Bumrah. India’s legendary quick was back for spell after spell with the fourth, fifth and sixth bowling options struggling to apply anywhere near the same pressure.
While Nitish was superb with bat, Manjrekar was right..India needed a wicket-taking 4th seamer who could bat, rather than a batsman who could bowl a bit. He did solve a problem, but that created another problem. He was a defensive pick #AUSvIND
Inexplicably, India went for the same combinations on a much greener SCG pitch; a surface actually criticised by some Australian fans as one that can reduce the game into a pace bowling shootout. Jadeja bowled three overs, while Sundar took his mark to bowl for the first time with Australia needing 11 to win. That, along with their combined 65 runs for the match, seems an awfully low price to pay for Bumrah picking up the injury many feared he would get.
Australia: All we need is a draw at the minimum and we’ve won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade! We can’t afford to lose!!!
Compare this to Australia. The hosts were able to build pressure for much longer periods, even with Mitchell Marsh barely a factor with the ball. Scott Boland proved more than an able replacement for Josh Hazlewood, while Pat Cummins was at his relentless best after Perth. Mitchell Starc, not known as much for consistency, was able to ask questions even later in the series, particularly in the second innings at the MCG and first at the SCG.
Nathan Lyon, even in his limited capacity, conceded at just 2.70 per over, and Beau Webster’s superb debut enabled Cummins to rotate his quicks without worry of overworking them.
Four Australians – Cummins (167), Starc (153.2), Boland (101.4) and Lyon (122.4) – sent down over 100 overs, with Cummins and Starc’s figures inflated by Josh Hazlewood’s injury in Brisbane. For India, Bumrah (151.2) and Mohammed Siraj (157.1) contributed 308.3 out of India’s 620.4 overs, with Reddy sending down just 44. It is no surprise Siraj looked a tired figure by the time the second innings began at the SCG.
It was a similar story for India with regards to captaincy. Rohit, who reportedly “opted out” of the SCG Test, had a difficult year as Test captain. His propensity to go on the defensive all too quickly and refusal to stick to plans long enough saw a number of Australians – especially Travis Head – get into their innings.
India had their chance to even win at the MCG after reducing Australia to 91/6 in the second innings. However, Cummins counterattacked, Rohit stood back and Australia scored two 50-run partnerships for the last four wickets. More here.
Final thoughts
India had their good moments, but ruined it with some shoddy cricket, including the Yashasvi Jaiswal run out and losing seven wickets inside a session to crucially lose the MCG Test. Australia did better for longer periods, and in the end were willing to make the big calls, such as debuting Webster with the trophy still up for grabs.
In the end, the 3-1 margin for Australia is one to savour. Pat Cummins as a leader continues to grow from strength to strength, and this confidence can keep them in good stead for what promises to be another big year ahead in 2025.
Australia fans have questioned the timing of the spiciest Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) pitch for a Test in recent memory as 26 wickets fell in the first two days against India. Pat Cummins’ team came into the match leading the series 2-1 after victory in the final hour at the MCG, with a draw enough to seal their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series win since 2014/15.
Instead, a greentop, so rarely seen in Test cricket as the SCG, has made the match somewhat of a shootout between the seam attacks. Scott Boland has been a nightmare to handle, taking combined figures of 8/73 in 33 overs across the first two days. India’s seamers were also effective, delivering even without their talisman Jasprit Bumrah, who went for scans soon after lunch due to back spasms.
Batting has been very difficult, with plenty of seam movement even with the older ball under the Sydney sunshine. Australia were playing from in front after bowling India out for 185, but the visitors fought right back as Beau Webster shone brightest in a tough first innings for the hosts.
In their third innings, India started quickly, before Boland ripped through the top order to put Australia in the driving seat. India then decided attack would be the best form of defence, with Rishabh Pant going on a rampage, smashing 61 off 33 balls to threaten to take the game away from the hosts. But, quick wickets meant Australia still had their noses in front.
Spicy SCG pitch: Australia fans surprised with surface given series scoreline
However, some Australian fans were still unimpressed by the surface given the series scoreline. Like a rank turner in the subcontinent, such conditions can bring teams closer. Batsmen from both sides have copped blows on the body, and who knows how the surface will play in the fourth innings as Australia faces a tricky chase.
On the contrary, there is the World Test Championship (WTC) argument. Australia needs a single win from their final three Tests (including two against Sri Lanka) to meet South Africa in the final at Lord’s later this year.
Australia: All we need is a draw at the minimum and we’ve won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade! We can’t afford to lose!!!
There is an incredible amount of irony in the SCG being the liveliest it’s been in about 20 years in this Test where a draw was all Australia required.
Australia cricket has the dumbest curators/administrators. Why is the SCG pitch the greenest it’s ever been when the national side needs only a draw to win the series?
This pitch is a joke. If Melbourne got a a poor rating for their pitches a few years ago, this should get a big fail…especially considering all we needed was a draw.#AUSvIND
Let’s be honest here. If Australia was doing what India does with their pitches we would’ve told the SCG groundskeepers to turn that pitch into a road flatter than my driveway the moment we won the Boxing Day test.
Is Australia the only test playing nation that doesn't doctor a pitch? Aus up 2-1 and instead of a road, the SCG curator produces the liveliest deck Sydney has seen in years. #AUSvsIND
Sunil Gavaskar also had qualms about the SCG pitch. “If 15 wickets fell [on one day] in India, all hell would have broken loose. We had Glenn McGrath saying he’d never seen so much grass. Did you hear any former India cricketer moan about the pitch?” said the India legend after 15 wickets fell on day two.
“I did say that when we saw the pitch yesterday, the cows could have gone and grazed on it. This is not the ideal Test match pitch that you want because you want it to go into a fourth and fifth day. Unless there is rain I don’t see us being here on day four,” Gavaskar continued, as quoted as saying by ABC Sport.
India finished day two 141/6, leading by 145 after bowling Australia out for 181. The big question is whether Jasprit Bumrah will be available to bowl. If he can bowl effectively, anything around 200 arguably makes India favourites on this SCG pitch.
In the worst-kept secret in the last 24 hours, Rohit Sharma has been excluded from the Indian lineup for the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). A report from The Indian Express suggested he opted out, which Jasprit Bumrah reiterated at the toss.
“Obviously, our captain [Rohit Sharma] has shown his leadership as well. He’s opted to rest in this game,” Bumrah said. “So that shows that there’s a lot of unity in our team. There’s no selfishness. Whatever is in the team’s best interest, we’re looking to do that.”
Jasprit Bumrah said, "our captain Rohit Sharma has opted to rest for this Test" https://t.co/tDrBMMVgMr
Rohit has struggled as Test captain in recent months, overseeing a 3-0 home loss to New Zealand and two losses in three matches in Australia. His batting form has also been of huge concern, hitting just 31 runs at an average of 6.2 in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).
Fans react to Rohit Sharma “opting out” of the SCG Test
Hence, fans are skeptical of the official reason that Rohit decided the rest himself. There have been conflicting reports over the past day that Rohit had been dropped, while others claimed he was “rested”.
Sanjay Manjrekar was critical of how the whole episode has been handled. “So typical of Rohit Sharma. Doing the right thing, doing what’s right for the team. But could not understand the ‘cloak & dagger’ around the issue. Wasn’t even talked about at the toss,” he wrote on X.
Regardless of the reason, a number of Indian supporters were relieved to see Bumrah walk out for the toss, hoping to see the team recreate the performance they displayed at Perth in late November.
“What is opting to rest? This sounds like such a PR written line,” one fan wrote on X. “Are you seriously suggesting that Bumrah, Siraj, Kohli, and others can endure all five matches, yet Rohit Sharma, after contributing almost nothing, requires rest?,” another fan wrote.
So typical of Rohit Sharma. Doing the right thing, doing what’s right for the team. But could not understand the ‘cloak & dagger’ around the issue. Wasn’t even talked about at the toss. 🤔
Sanjay Manjrekar on point and brutal about Ravi Shastri not asking Bumrah "why" Rohit is "resting". The fans deserve to know the real truth as Manjrekar said and not one wrapped up in mystery.#AUSvsIND
He kept mentioning it couple of times and now Sanjay Manjarekar is throwing Ravi Shastri under the bus that why did he not ask about Rohit during the toss and why is it being kept mystery Damn something is going on. https://t.co/KqdkeYbu6N
If Rohit chose to rest, what was the point of traveling to Australia? To play three Tests and manage just 31 runs? Are you seriously suggesting that Bumrah, Siraj, Kohli, and others can endure all five matches, yet Rohit Sharma, after contributing almost nothing, requires rest?
If we remove Dropped catches in Rohit's Test 100s in 2024 he averaged 18 in 26 innings !! Best decision to drop such a burden 🫡 pic.twitter.com/A2jmiKSxzW
Gambhir as a Head Coach was under the scanner to take the tough calls but let's be honest here none of us thought that he would actually drop (as the Team management says, to convince the Captain of this team to opt out) Rohit from the playing XI in this SCG test.
unlike you, Manjrekar, maybe Ravi Shastri isn’t blinded by fandom. Even after seeing Bumrah walk out for the toss, he wouldn’t pretend to be oblivious and ask, “oh, where is Rohit?” Not everyone shares the same level of unwavering devotion, you know. https://t.co/JEei2ITuuV
Rohit Sharma’s retirement is in the team’s best interest. Kindly ask the “selfless merchant” to retire for the team’s sake!! 🙏🙏
— Dr. Shubham Misra 🧠⚛️🇮🇳🇺🇸 (@Shubham_Neuro) January 2, 2025
Rohit Sharma hasn’t stepped out with the rest of the squad & his name no longer appears in the squad list either. A different meaning to “opted to rest” perhaps #AusvIndpic.twitter.com/yRb203Rmni
Gautam Gambhir honestly should’ve just said Rohit wasn’t playing yday & taken the tact of talking up how good Shubman will be rather than being elusive which created drama. The fans at least deserved that much. Happy Pat always says his XI the day before no matter what. #AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/OWY9DF2hyf
India won the toss and decided to bat in their must-win Test. It is considered a brave decision given the green nature of the SCG pitch, but a good score batting first can set the game up.
