3 big positives for India ahead of the 5th BGT 2024/25 Test vs Australia ft. youngsters stepping up

India are all set to face off against Australia in the final Test of the five-match series at the Sydney Cricket Ground from Friday, January 3. The visitors need to come out on top if they are to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Australia took a commanding lead in the rubber thanks to a thumping 184-run win in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Before that, the hosts nearly pulled off a comfortable victory at the Gabba.

Despite that, however, India are still in the mix. There have been a few notable displays from members of the touring contingent, while some players found a bit of form in the previous Test and could build on that.

On that note, here are three big positives for Team India ahead of the fifth Test against Australia.

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#3 Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy have been among India's best players

BORDER GAVASKAR TROPHY TEST: DEC 30 NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test - Source: Getty

At 23 and 21 years old respectively, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy are two of India's youngest players on the tour. They've defied their age to come up with plucky batting performances, outshining their more decorated teammates.

That's a major positive for India, who are going through a transition. Jaiswal has had a prolific year in Test cricket, while Nitish has shown the technique and temperament of a specialist batter. The fast-bowling all-rounder's bowling has also been decent, although he hasn't been trusted much so far.

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#2 Mohammed Siraj showed flashes of his best in the second innings in Melbourne

BORDER GAVASKAR TROPHY TEST: DEC 29 NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test - Source: Getty

Mohammed Siraj went wicketless in the first innings at the MCG, but he came back with a promising display in the second essay. After being taken off new-ball duties, the fast bowler delivered an incisive spell that kept the visitors in the contest.

Siraj showed great control and castled Usman Khawaja with a beauty. He picked up a couple of scalps after that, in what was inarguably his best spell of a tour in which he hasn't been able to support Jasprit Bumrah adequately.

With Akash Deep ruled out of the Sydney Test with a back niggle, Siraj will have a big role to play. And the fact that he's on the back of a promising spell will boost India's hopes.

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#1 India can still retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

India Men's Test Squad Training Session - Source: Getty

It might seem silly to say. India's World Test Championship hopes are all but extinguished, and there's plenty of unrest within the camp. Selection has been inconsistent, and we could see a host of changes in the squad in the coming months.

Despite all of that, somehow, India are still in with a shot at accomplishing their main goal - retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rain played a big role in that dream remaining alive, reducing the Gabba Test to a draw and preventing Australia from taking an unassailable lead.

Sydney is also usually a venue that could play into India's hands. The visitors will take heart from the fact that even though they've been miles away from their best in the series so far, they can still take the title back home.