“I think India could’ve won” - Former Australia pacer makes huge statement after BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Former Australia speedster Damien Fleming has claimed that if Jasprit Bumrah had played during the fourth innings of the fifth Test in Sydney, the tourists had a good chance of winning the series decider. Fleming pointed out that the conditions were tough to bat on Day three and it would have been a tricky run chase as Bumrah is an “unbelievable bowler.”

The 54-year-old also drew similarities between Bumrah and Aussie pacer Scott Boland, who picked up 10 wickets in the final Test. Notably, Bumrah bowled 10 overs during Australia’s first innings before sustaining an injury, which prevented him from bowling for the remainder of the game.

Fleming wrote in his column for ‘The Roar’:

“The big question is if Jasprit Bumrah was fit, I think India could have won. It was tough for batting on day three – he was player of the series, an unbelievable bowler and he could have basically just bowled his stock ball like Boland on the right spot and he would have got a few wickets that way because there was more than enough natural variation out of the pitch.”

Chasing 162, Australia won the match by six wickets to clinch the series 3-1.

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“It was an amazing achievement” – Damien Fleming lauds Australia captain for winning Border-Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years

Damien Fleming further lauded Australia captain Pat Cummins for winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time after the 2014-15 series. The cricketer-turned-commentator wrote in the same column:

“But the way it’s worked out, the Aussies have won 3-1, which for someone like Pat Cummins who has never experienced having the thrill of winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy throughout his career, it was an amazing achievement.

"And they have also qualified for the World Test Championship with two Tests in Sri Lanka to spare in the cycle so it’s great news all round for Cummins and Co,” he added.

Fleming, however, reckoned that the Aussies had to fight for the runs in the second innings of the fifth Test to beat the visitors.

“Even though it ended up being a six-wicket win, it was closer than that – I don’t think the Aussie tailenders would have wanted to bat and have to chase 40 runs there.”

With a 3-1 win against India, Australia secured their place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final alongside South Africa. The Aussies are also the defending champions in the ongoing championship cycle.