3 things to look forward to for Indian fans in the 5th BGT 2024-25 Test ft. Virat Kohli's form

It's been an up-and-down series for India so far. Ever since their famous win in the opening Test in Perth, the visitors have been ravaged by form and injury concerns. Their World Test Championship hopes are almost fully diminished, while there are reports swirling around about discontent within the camp.

Australia currently holds a commanding advantage in the rubber, and things aren't looking too promising for India. However, fans of the team will still have plenty of storylines to look forward to.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has lived up to expectations on the entertainment front, and the fifth Test promises to be no different. A pink-themed encounter at the Sydney Cricket Ground between two world-class oppositions is bound to be a barn-burner.

India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Tanush Kotian, R Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Devdutt Padikkal.

On that note, here are three things to look forward to in the fifth Test between India and Australia.

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#3 Can Virat Kohli find his lost flame?

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

Virat Kohli's form has fallen off a cliff in recent years, and there are no two ways around that. Despite the odd century and short cameo in which he has looked comfortable, the batting legend is far too vulnerable at the crease these days.

In Melbourne, Kohli's second-innings dismissal was simply inexcusable. In the last over before Lunch, with India trying to save the Test, he fished at one well outside off to put his team in serious trouble. The 36-year-old has rightfully been criticized by experts and former cricketers.

With India going through a transition, Kohli might be one of the players the think tank decides to move on from. Time is clearly running out for him, but he isn't the type to go out with a whimper.

Can Kohli find his lost flame? He does have a knack for the big occasion!

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#2 Will Rohit Sharma be at the toss at the SCG?

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

Reports have suggested that Rohit Sharma has been dropped from the Indian side for the Sydney Test. At a pre-match press conference, head coach Gautam Gambhir refused to confirm that the skipper would be in the mix.

Gambhir claimed that a call would be taken after taking a look at the pitch, which was a rather strange thing to say about the captain and senior batter. Signs indicate that Rohit won't be at the toss, but it'll be interesting to find confirmation on that front.

If Gambhir and Co. have, in fact, decided to drop Rohit, it'll be a talking point for years to come. And if the 37-year-old has played his last Test for the country, he needs to be treated with the respect he deserves for his achievements.

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#1 Jasprit Bumrah (the captain?) has one last task in front of him

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

The tour started with Bumrah as captain, and it might end with that too. In fact, the tour has been all about the ace spearhead, who has been by far the best bowler on display.

Can Bumrah produce one last bit of magic? He has taken on a big workload, and there hasn't been much of a break between the last two Tests of the series. But the 31-year-old has been fit ever since his return from back surgery, and he has also been at his absolute best.

Watching Bumrah in red-ball cricket is a treat, and fans of the Indian team will get to witness it one last time on the tour.