India’s tour of Australia has already seen the retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin, while talks of Rohit Sharma’s exit from the longest format of the game have also intensified after his absence in the final match in Sydney. However, when India suffered a 6-wicket defeat in Sydney, and the result also eliminated them from the final race of the World Test Championship, a picture of India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli set off a storm on the social networks.
Gambhir was seen hugging Kohli as they waited for the post-match presentation to begin. While there has also been talk about Virat’s future in the Indian Test team, due to a poor run in Australia, some fans became worried and wondered if the batting icon is also about to make an announcement regarding his future.
Gautam Gambhir hugs Virat Kohli. pic.twitter.com/wMcqCgm3q1
-Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 5, 2025
Australia won the five-match series 3-1 and also qualified for the World Test Championship final against South Africa, scheduled at Lord’s from 11 to 15 June. A target of 162 could have been tougher had new Test captain Jasprit Bumrah been fit. bowling despite painful back spasms, but once Virat Kohli led the team, it became as clear as the Sydney skyline that defending the over would be next to impossible.
Bumrah deservedly claimed the player of the series honor for his 32 wickets in five matches, but that was no consolation for the chaotic team performance that India achieved. Prasidh Krishna (3/65 in 12 overs) and Mohammed Siraj (1/69 in 12 overs) were no patch for Bumrah and despite multiple breakthroughs, they bowled too many poor deliveries to facilitate the hosts cantering home. in just 27 overs.
Usman Khawaja (41), Travis Head (34 not out) and debutant Beau Webster (39 not out) completed the formalities, ending India’s misery on a tour that has exposed all the team’s batting weaknesses and a unhealthy dependence on Bumrah. .
Once Bumrah was ruled out after he tried a bit of bowling during the morning warm-up session and didn’t feel comfortable, the writing was on the wall. The magnificent Scott Boland (6/45) and the ever-reliable Pat Cummins (3/44) finished off the Indian tail for just 157 in 39.5 overs.
If Rishabh Pant’s fiery 61 and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 22 are removed, the other nine players collectively contributed just 74 runs.
With PTI inputs
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