Sydney, Jan 2 (UNI) Team India face a mounting internal tension as they prepare for the decisive Sydney Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting tomorrow. Amid reports of friction within the camp, captain Rohit Sharma’s form and leadership have come under scrutiny, while coach Gautam Gambhir shows signs of impatience with the team’s struggles.
India, trailing in the series, must secure a win to draw the contest and keep their hopes alive for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) finals. Despite a season plagued by batting collapses and underwhelming performances, the team remains determined to fight back against a dominant Australian side.
With speculation swirling around Rohit’s future as captain, Gautam Gambhir struck a hopeful tone, saying, “Despite our struggles earlier, we still have the chance to draw the series. The boys are ready to fight.” However, challenges abound, from a dismal first-innings batting average of 22.40 to the absence of pacer Akash Deep due to a back injury.
Australia, aiming to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade, has displayed formidable form. Skipper Pat Cummins has been a standout performer, excelling with both ball and bat, and he looks poised to lead the hosts strongly at his home ground, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
India’s standout batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal has been the silver lining in a turbulent series, while Nitish Kumar Reddy’s key contributions have offered some respite. However, the team’s inconsistency and lack of depth remain glaring issues.
The SCG pitch is expected to provide balanced conditions, with early assistance for bowlers and a track that favours batsmen in later stages. Beau Webster will debut for Australia, adding fresh vigour to their lineup, while India weighs its options between Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana to fill Akash Deep’s void.
For Australia, already the reigning ODI and Test world champions, this is a chance to consolidate their supremacy. For India, it’s about resilience and redemption, with their WTC finals aspirations hanging in the balance.
The stage is set for an intense showdown, as cricket fans brace for the drama that only a high-stakes Sydney Test can deliver.
