Related Articles
The final Test of the riveting 5-match series between India and Australia is set to take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on 3rd January 2024, starting at 5:00 AM IST. Australia leads the series 2-1, and with a spot in the WTC Final at stake, the stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams. India will aim to level the series 2-2, while Australia will look to dominate on home turf and close out the series with a win.
Match Details
| Match | Australia vs India, 5th Test |
|---|---|
| Date | 3rd January 2024 |
| Time | 5:00 AM IST |
| Venue | Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) |
Team Previews
Australia
Australia have showcased their resilience throughout the series, bouncing back from a first-Test loss with dominant performances in Adelaide and Melbourne. After an underwhelming 2024, their batting lineup, led by Steven Smith and Travis Head, has finally hit its stride. Smith, in particular, has been a thorn in India’s side with consistent contributions, including a century at the MCG.
On the bowling front, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have been relentless, combining for key breakthroughs when it mattered most. Nathan Lyon has provided valuable spin options on flat tracks. The Australians will rely on their balanced side, featuring experienced campaigners and rising stars like Sam Konstas, to seal the series in style.
Key Players: Steven Smith, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc
India
India’s batting has been their Achilles’ heel in this series, with only Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul providing sporadic resistance. Captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have struggled for runs, adding pressure to a bowling unit led by the ever-reliable Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah has been exceptional, claiming 30 wickets in four Tests and breaking records for his consistency.
India’s performance in the final session of the Boxing Day Test, where they collapsed against Australia’s relentless attack, highlighted their vulnerability under pressure. With questions around their batting form and captaincy decisions, India face an uphill battle to level the series at the SCG.
Key Players: Jasprit Bumrah, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj
Team Squads
| Australia Predicted XI | India Predicted XI |
|---|---|
| Usman Khawaja | Yashasvi Jaiswal |
| Sam Konstas | KL Rahul |
| Marnus Labuschagne | Rohit Sharma (c) |
| Steven Smith | Virat Kohli |
| Travis Head | Rishabh Pant (wk) |
| Mitchell Marsh | Ravindra Jadeja |
| Alex Carey (wk) | Nitish Kumar Reddy |
| Pat Cummins (c) | Washington Sundar |
| Mitchell Starc | Jasprit Bumrah |
| Nathan Lyon | Mohammed Siraj |
| Scott Boland | Akash Deep |
Fantasy XI
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Steven Smith | Batter |
| Travis Head | Batter |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter |
| KL Rahul | Batter |
| Rishabh Pant | Wicketkeeper |
| Pat Cummins | All-rounder |
| Mitchell Starc | Bowler |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Bowler |
| Mohammed Siraj | Bowler |
| Nathan Lyon | Bowler |
| Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder |
Pitch and Weather Report
The SCG pitch has historically been favorable for batters, especially in the early days of the match, with spin coming into play later on. With a record of even results for teams batting first and second, winning the toss will be crucial. The weather in Sydney is expected to be cloudy, with a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms. Teams will need to adapt to possible interruptions.
Toss Prediction: Bat first
Expected Total: 350-400 runs in the first innings
Winning Prediction
Australia, with their form and momentum, are the favorites to win this Test and seal the series 3-1. However, if India’s top order steps up and Bumrah delivers another stellar performance, they could push for an upset and level the series.
CricketPandith Match Prediction Package
Per Match Charges: 1000 Rs/Match
Monthly Package: 5000 Rs/Month (Unlimited Match)
All International/League Match Prediction Available
Download Our Cricket Pandith Android App
