IND vs AUS: Indian Cricket Team playing 11 for 5th test against Australia, Sydney, BGT 2024-25 - Predicted

Australia lead the IND vs AUS series by 2-1 with one test to go.

The Indian cricket team‘s dream of making a hat-trick of test series wins in Australia was shattered when they lost the Melbourne test.

With a 184-run victory on day 5 of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 test match at the MCG, Australia took an unassailable 2-1 series lead with one test, in Sydney, left.

While India squandered the chance to win the series, they have plenty to play for in the fifth test. Firstly, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is still with India, and secondly, they are in the race to the ICC WTC 2023-25 final. To retain the trophy and to keep their chances of reaching the WTC final alive, India must win the SCG test.

A few changes in the Indian team are on the cards, potentially a big one.

IND vs AUS: Indian Cricket Team playing 11 for 5th test in Sydney – Predicted

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal

Jaiswal is the second-leading run-scorer of the BGT 2024-25 so far, and the leading Indian, with 359 runs at an average of 51.

He slammed a century in Perth and after low scores in Adelaide and Brisbane, the young left-hander scored 82 and 84 in Melbourne, heartbreakingly missing out on a century in both innings.

2. KL Rahul

KL Rahul did a terrific job as an opener in the first three tests and averaged 47, but his demotion to No. 3 to accommodate Rohit at the top brought him only 24 runs in two innings at the MCG.

If going by the hints, Rohit could be dropped for the Sydney test, then Rahul will slot back in the opening role.

3. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill is expected to return to the side in Sydney after being “unfortunate” (in the words of the management) to have been excluded from the Melbourne test. And Gill might return back to the No. 3 position since Rahul would go back to the top if Rohit is benched.

Gill got starts in both his innings in Adelaide (31 and 28) but failed to convert it. Getting a score of over 25 in this series has been really challenging for some of the other senior Indian batters too, but Gill faced the axe in Melbourne. He is expected to replace Rohit Sharma/Washington Sundar for the fifth test.

4. Virat Kohli

Kohli slammed a century in Perth, but his game fell off from there in Adelaide and Brisbane. The former skipper batted well in Melbourne in the first innings, showing restraint to the deliveries outside the off-stump for a significant period. But eventually, Kohli was sucked into his tempting weakness twice at the MCG.

He still has plenty of credit in the bank but 167 runs in seven innings are unbecoming of his stature and quality. He’s failed to step up in all but one innings in this series.

5. Rishabh Pant (wk)

After being severely criticised for his dismissal in the first innings in Melbourne, Rishabh Pant showed immense restraint in the second innings and batted throughout the second session on day 5 with Jaiswal to raise India’s hopes of escaping with a draw.

But eventually, the attacking instincts took over in Pant and he holed out to wide long-on off part-timer Travis Head. Pant’s wicket charged up the Aussies and triggered India’s collapse, resulting in a loss to a test match they looked set to save.

Pant has 154 runs in seven innings in this series. The left-hander played two terrific innings in Sydney in the last two trips – 159* in 2019 and 97 in 2021 – and would be hoping to get a big score finally in this series in the fifth test.

6. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja has played two tests in this series and scored 96 runs, including a 77 in Brisbane. He’s picked up only four wickets at an average of 51 and an economy of 3.43.

With the SCG pitch not offering much to the spinners – spinners have averaged 49 in the last four tests in Sydney, contrary to the perception – India are unlikely to go with two spinners. Jadeja will need to shoulder more workload in the last test of the series as the pacers’ legs are tiring out.

7. Nitish Kumar Reddy

After top-scoring for India thrice in the first three tests, Nitish Kumar Reddy did it again in Melbourne but this time, not only he went past the 40s, he got to convert his start into a three-figure score. Reddy’s first-innings century allowed India to claw back in the game.

He’s India’s second-highest run-scorer of the series right now in what is his debut test series. Reddy is averaging 49 with the bat after four tests.

However, the youngster proved his maturity in admitting that he needs to do better as bowler, having taken only three wickets at an average of 49 and economy of 4.22.

8. Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar has played the bits and pieces role. He’s given an additional spin option while extended the batting.

In two tests, Sundar has scored 88 runs at an average of 29 with one fifty. His fifty in the first innings in Melbourne was crucial in India fighting back as he provided solid support to Reddy.

With the ball, he’s taken three wickets in 36 overs at an average of 35.

9. Harshit Rana/Prasidh Krishna

Akash Deep has been ruled out of the Sydney test due to a back issue. Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna will replace him in the XI.

Rana made an impressive debut in Perth but was dropped after the Adelaide test where he torn apart by Travis Head. Prasidh, known for his height, played two tests in South Africa in 2023/24 tour and managed only two wickets.

10. Jasprit Bumrah (C)

Bumrah is having a hell of a series. Standing miles ahead of others, he’s the leading wicket-taker of the BGT 2024-25 with 30 wickets at an average of only 12.83.

He has been the key reason for India staying competitive in the last two tests after leading in the Perth win. Other bowlers, though, have failed to give him ample support.

If Rohit doesn’t feature in Sydney, Bumrah will take the leadership duties.

11. Mohammed Siraj

Siraj has been inconsistent in this series but he has produced a couple of good spells – in Australia’s second innings in both Perth and Melbourne. On day 4 at the MCG, Siraj bowled the best he’s bowled so far in the series.

He’s taken 16 wickets at an average of 31.43 with a best of 4/98.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.