India’s preparations for the decisive fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground have been significantly impacted by injury concerns and strategic uncertainties. Coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that pacer Akash Deep would be absent from the crucial Test due to a stiff back. Akash, who had been impressive with five wickets in the first two Tests in Brisbane and Melbourne, has endured some bad luck, with several chances for additional wickets going unconverted because of dropped catches by his teammates. The 28-year-old right-arm pacer has bowled 87.5 overs so far in the series, and the high workload is likely a contributing factor to his injury. Australian pitches, known for their harsh demands on fast bowlers, particularly in terms of causing knee, ankle, and back problems, may have taken a toll on Akash’s body.
As a result, either Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna is expected to replace Akash in the playing XI for the series decider. India now faces an uphill task, as they trail 1-2 in the five-match series and must win the final Test to retain the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The timing of Akash's injury could prove to be a blow for India, as they prepare to take on Australia in what is likely to be a high-pressure match.
India's selection choices throughout the tour have sparked controversy and raised questions about their approach. In Perth, both Ravindra Jadeja and R. Ashwin, two of India's most reliable spinners, were surprisingly benched in favor of the all-rounder Washington Sundar. Harshit Rana, who made his debut in Perth, was also brought in for the Adelaide Test but struggled to make an impact. The demands of back-to-back matches and long bowling spells seemed to take a toll on him, as he failed to find his rhythm.
Further complicating matters, in Melbourne, India chose to field three all-rounders—Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jadeja, and Washington Sundar—while controversially dropping their No. 3 batter, Shubman Gill. This move raised eyebrows, as Gill had shown solid form in earlier matches. Additionally, India made the unusual decision to promote Rohit Sharma, who had been out of form, to open the innings in place of KL Rahul, who had been steady at the top. This disruption in the batting order has yet to yield results and has added to the sense of imbalance within the team.
In contrast, Australia made its own change to the lineup, opting to drop all-rounder Mitchell Marsh due to his underwhelming form in the series. Marsh has struggled with both bat and ball, managing just 73 runs in seven innings across four Tests and taking only three wickets in 33 overs. His exclusion has raised questions about his ability to perform at the highest level, especially in such a high-stakes series. In his place, Australia has brought in the uncapped Beau Webster, a promising all-rounder from Tasmania, who will make his Test debut. Australian captain Pat Cummins confirmed this change during the pre-match press conference, explaining that Marsh had simply not scored enough runs to justify his place in the side. Cummins made it clear that the decision was not based on personal feelings but purely on performance.
As India prepares to take on Australia in the final Test, both teams are under immense pressure. For India, the stakes could not be higher, as a loss would mean the loss of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a symbol of supremacy in world cricket. India has shown resilience in the past, but with multiple selection dilemmas and key players underperforming, they will need a strong, united effort to pull off a victory. Meanwhile, Australia is keen to reclaim the trophy for the first time since the 2014/15 series. With the home advantage and a winning momentum after dominant performances in the previous Tests, they will be confident going into the final match of the series.
India’s dressing room, already under scrutiny following reports of leaked conversations and internal tensions, must now find a way to put aside off-field distractions and focus on the task at hand. Despite the controversies, coach Gautam Gambhir remains confident in the squad’s ability to win the Sydney Test. With a full-strength lineup, including the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, the team has the individual talent to overturn their recent setbacks and lift the trophy. However, with all eyes on Rohit Sharma's form and India's overall team balance, the final Test promises to be a dramatic conclusion to an intense series.
