Jasprit Bumrah’s phenomenal performance during the Melbourne Test earned him glowing praise from Adam Gilchrist, who said, “It is just a different ball game, a different planet, that Bumrah is playing on compared to everyone else.” The accolades didn’t stop there—former Australian cricket legends also lauded Bumrah, even comparing him to the West Indies greats of the past. Such recognition was well-deserved, especially as Bumrah surpassed 200 Test wickets at an average of under 20.
However, India’s campaign in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ended in disappointment on Sunday, as they lost the series in Sydney. Bumrah, unable to take the field, had already given his all earlier in the series, especially during the grueling Day 4 in Melbourne. Despite his efforts, which included a record 32 wickets—the most by an Indian bowler in a Test series in Australia—the team succumbed to a 1-3 defeat. This result was primarily attributed to underwhelming batting performances and questionable team selections.
While Australia’s batters didn’t fare much better—they had to contend with Bumrah, after all—India’s batting woes were more pronounced. The averages of their top seven batters (24.67) fell short compared to Australia’s (28.79). The hosts managed four centuries and eight fifties, delivering match-defining innings, whereas India could only muster two centuries and six fifties. Adding to the gap, Australia’s lower-order contributions (positions 9-11) averaged 15, overshadowing India’s 9.64.
Ultimately, while Bumrah’s brilliance shone brightly, the team’s collective struggles left India unable to capitalize on his remarkable performances.
Yashasvi Jaiswal stood out as India’s top batter in the series, scoring 391 runs at an average of 43.44. His performances were a bright spot, allowing him to leave Australia with his head held high. KL Rahul and Nitish Kumar Reddy had their moments, showing promise in patches, while Rishabh Pant delivered a sparkling final display.
However, the overall batting effort fell short. The lineup struggled with recurring mistakes, often losing momentum due to unforced errors—like the costly 20 minutes in Melbourne—and consistently giving away wickets at crucial times, especially near the end of sessions. These lapses made it difficult for India to sustain any meaningful control in the series.
India’s star players struggled to make an impact in the series. Rohit Sharma, who missed the Sydney Test, managed a disappointing average of just 6.20 across five innings. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli faced a recurring issue, getting caught behind the stumps in eight out of nine innings—a reminder of an old vulnerability.
Although Kohli did score a century in Perth under relatively favorable conditions, he seemed far from the commanding batter who once dominated Australian pitches. Both players’ underwhelming performances left a noticeable void in India’s batting lineup.
India’s tactical decisions in the series left much to be desired. After KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal got off to a strong start as openers in Perth, the team moved Rohit Sharma to the middle order, where he struggled to deliver. Then, despite his poor form, Rohit was sent back to open the innings in Melbourne, but the move didn’t pay off.
Team selection also raised eyebrows, particularly in Sydney. On what was widely regarded as the greenest SCG pitch in years, India opted for two spinners and a pace-bowling allrounder. With Jasprit Bumrah injured, neither spinner was fully utilized, leaving India short of options. A specialist pacer or an extra batter might have been the better call, but the team chose a middle path that ultimately backfired.
In the end, Australia reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after an eight-year wait—not because they were unbeatable, but because they made fewer mistakes. Their bowling unit, which was outstanding throughout, played a significant role in their success. For India, the loss stings even more, knowing it was their own errors that tipped the balance in Australia’s favor.
