India vs Australia Match Prediction: Who will win the 5th BGT 2024-25 Test?

The turnaround time between Melbourne and Sydney has been painfully short, but India have somehow managed to stir up a storm in a matter of days. Plenty of reports have suggested that there are serious issues in the visiting camp, and head coach Gautam Gambhir didn't do much to disprove those claims in a press conference ahead of the fifth and final Test.

When asked about captain Rohit Sharma's place in the side, Gambhir claimed that India would take a call after assessing the pitch. Signs indicate that the skipper won't be at the helm in the final Test of the series, with his lack of form and poor captaincy being two of the visitors' biggest problems so far.

Jasprit Bumrah could thus be at the helm once again, three Tests since he fashioned an incredible win in Perth. That feels like ages ago, given that India have been outplayed for large parts of their matches. But having Bumrah lead the team could prove to be the catalyst the two-time World Test Championship finalists need to somehow retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Meanwhile, Australia have been slowly working behind the scenes. Mitchell Marsh has been left out in favor of Beau Webster, who will make his Test debut in Sydney. Mitchell Starc will pull through despite dealing with a back/rib niggle that hampered his participation in Melbourne.

Apart from Webster, the Aussies, who are fairly stable, will field an unchanged side. Their WTC final hopes are very much in their hands, and they're in obviously better form than their opponents. After a decade of heartbreak, Pat Cummins and Co. could finally lay their hands on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy once again.

---

IND vs AUS, BGT 2024-25, 5th Test: Can the visitors salvage the series?

India Test Squad Training Session - Source: Getty

The pitch in Sydney usually has something in it for the spinners, but it seems like Australia will prepare a green top for the final Test. India, who played Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja in tandem at the MCG, might be left to search for pace resources once again.

Rohit's participation is up in the air, and while Shubman Gill could return to the fold if the 37-year-old isn't picked, India certainly have plenty of concerns in the batting department. The visitors haven't been able to occupy time at the crease and have been prone to collapses, although Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy have given a good account of themselves so far.

On the whole, India have a decent chance of coming out on top in Sydney despite some of their key players being out of form. The venue could suit their skillset, and having a weapon like Bumrah could expose the Aussies' slightly frail batting unit. Webster's inexperience at the international level and Starc's questionable match fitness could also be factors.

However, Australia are still the favorites to seal the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. They have most bases covered, and some names who hadn't covered themselves in glory came to the party in Melbourne.

Prediction: Australia to win the 5th Test vs India