India's last chance at leveling the series
| Date | January 03-07, 2025 |
| Time | 5:00 AM IST |
| Venue | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney |
| Format | Test Match |
| Series | India tour of Australia, 2024 |
Betting Odds
Our Predictions
- Steven Smith has odds of 3.70 to be Australia's best batsman
- Yashasvi Jaiswal has odds of 3.90 to be India's best batsman
- Pat Cummins has odds of 2.60 to be Australia's best bowler
- Jasprit Bumrah has odds of 2.60 to be India's best bowler
MATCH PREVIEW
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has seen the pendulum shift in Australia's favor. The hosts have taken an unassailable 2-1 lead after their 184-run win in Melbourne, and they will look to go for the kill and win the series and have their hands on the trophy for the first time since 2014-15. The hosts are in good form and have dominated the Indians since losing the first game at Perth. Their batsmen and bowlers are in good form, which has increased the team's odds. The Indians have struggled in the last three games, with their batting collapsing on multiple occasions. It will be an acid test for the Indians as big names in the side have failed this season. It will be interesting to see if the Indians can match up to the challenge thrown at them by the hosts.
Australia Preview
Pat Cummins and his team will be confident in this game. After their win in Melbourne, they have taken an unassailable lead in the series. It has been a strong comeback from the team after their poor start at Perth, where they allowed the Indians to win a game from a difficult position. The team will start favorites on cricket betting sites as key players are in good form. They will look to exploit India's lack of form in this game and win the series 3-1.
Usman Khawaja hasn't had the best form, and the team needs him to deliver a good start along with Sam Kontas. Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith batted brilliantly in the last game, and they will look to add runs in the middle order with Travis Head. Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh are good lower-order batsmen who complete a strong batting lineup for the team.
The bowling attack has been on top of the Indian batsmen in the last three games, and the side will look to continue with the same momentum. The team expects early strikes from Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc to put the Indians under pressure. Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon bowled well in the last game and look forward to continuing with the same form. Mitchell Marsh and Labuschagne add depth to the attack.
Expected Starting XI for Australia
Pat Cummins (c), Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
India Preview
Jasprit Bumrah will step in for Rohit Sharma as the skipper as Sharma has pulled out of this game. He has multiple battles to fight heading into this game. The team has failed as a collective unit on this tour, and the knives are out against some of the biggest stars. The odds are stacked against the Indians on cricket betting apps, and Bumrah must lead from the front for the team to have a chance in this game.
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been among the best batsmen on this tour, and he will need help from KL Rahul to deliver a good start. Shubman Gill will look to anchor the innings in the middle order and build partnerships with Virat Kohli and and Rishab Pant. Nitish Reddy has batted well and he will look to add runs in the lower middle order with Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja.
The bowling attack has fared well on this tour. Jasprit Bumrah is the lynchpin of this attack, and he must strike early in the game with Mohammad Siraj to put the Australians under pressure. The Indians will look to use the turning track in Sydney to their advantage with good performances from Sundar and Jadeja. Nitish Reddy Prasidh Krishna must do well in the supporting role, as the Australians will target them.
Expected Starting XI for India
Jasprit Bumrah (c), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj
TOSS: To Bat First
The conditions for batting are best in Sydney on the first two days. The wicket becomes tougher to bat as the game progresses, and the ball starts turning. The team winning the toss would like to bat first and score big in the first innings.
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
We expect good weather conditions over Sydney. Batting conditions will be good on the first two days, and batsmen can play their strokes. The average first-innings score is 356 runs at this venue, and the team batting first would like to have 400 on the board.
OUR PREDICTION
The Indians have been on the mat in the last three games. Their batting lineup has collapsed, and the top and middle-order batters have struggled. The team faces an uphill challenge heading into this game. The Australians have momentum, and their bowling attack is in good form. It will be a tough challenge for the Indians, and based on their current form, the Australians will be the favorites in this game.
Our prediction is for Australia to win
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