Australia clinched a knife-edge fifth Test against India in Sydney by six wickets to seal a riveting series 3-1 Sunday and book their place in the World Test Championship final.
India were dismissed 45 minutes into the morning session of day three for 157, adding just 16 to their overnight 141-6 with the irrepressible Scott Boland ending with 6-45 and 10 wickets for the match.
Set 162 to win, the hosts reached the target before tea against an attack missing injured strike bowler Jasprit Bumrah to regain the India-Australia Test series trophy known as the Border-Gavaskar trophy, for the first time since 2014-15.
Australia lost three wickets before lunch to leave the Test finely poised, including Steve Smith who agonisingly fell just one short of becoming only the 15th player and fourth Australian to reach 10,000 Test runs.
But Usman Khawaja hit a composed 41 before Travis Head (34 not out) and debutant Beau Webster (39 not out) steered them home.
“This is unreal, this [a series win against India] is one that a few of us didn’t have. It’s been an amazing series … it’s really lived up to all the hype,” said Australia skipper Pat Cummins.
“I’m immensely proud. I love playing with these guys, they are such a special group. I feel privileged to have this job and what we have been able to achieve together.
“Pretty satisfied at the moment.”
The victory was enough to ensure Australia will defend their World Test Championship in the June final at Lord’s against South Africa.
It culminated a thrilling tour full of twists and turns that saw record crowds and some spectacular individual performances.
The five-Test series witnessed the emergence of exciting young talents in the form of Australian opener Sam Konstas and Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.
At the same time, ageing veterans, notably Rohit Sharma, showed that the clock is ticking on their careers.
India won the first match in Perth convincingly before Australia bounced back in the day-night affair at Adelaide.
