Crowds, Cracking Cricket: Five Talking Points from Australia v India

AFP/APP

Sydney: Australia completed a six-wicket win in Sydney to clinch the fifth Test against India and the series 3-1 on Sunday.

AFP Sport looks at five talking points from a thrilling series:

– Alive and Kicking –

Bumper crowds turned out for the first-ever five-Test series between Australia and India, with attendance records being shattered as the showdown intensified.

Drawn in by fine weather, the holiday period, and the knife-edge action, the series proved that red-ball cricket remains hugely popular.

The peak came during the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where an astonishing 373,691 spectators passed through the turnstiles, surpassing the previous record of 350,534 set in the 1936-37 Ashes series.

– Brilliant Bumrah –

Jasprit Bumrah reinforced his reputation as one of the world’s finest fast bowlers. He put in a mammoth effort to help keep India in the hunt for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with 32 wickets at an average of 13.06—the most by an Indian bowler in a series in Australia.

Bumrah’s contribution was immense, even taking on 53.2 overs in the Boxing Day Test, which was the most in any match of his career. His leadership role, stepping in as captain for Rohit Sharma in Perth and Sydney, was a testament to his importance.

– Exuberance of Youth –

The emergence of young talents like Sam Konstas for Australia and Nitish Kumar Reddy for India highlighted the promising future of both teams.

Konstas, 19, made an explosive debut, slamming a whirlwind 60 in his first innings in Brisbane, while Reddy, 21, impressed with a maiden century in the fourth Test.

Their fearless performances signal a bright future for both teams as they continue to cultivate exciting young talent.

– End of the Road –

The series could mark the end for some of the ageing veterans on both sides. Australian opener Usman Khawaja, 38, had a quiet series, and while there is no clear successor in sight, his future is uncertain.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma, 37, also faces questions over his future after being dropped for the final Test in Sydney, with his form in decline.

Superstar Virat Kohli, 36, is nearing the end of his illustrious career, and while he scored an unbeaten 100 in the first Test, he struggled to find consistency thereafter, possibly marking his last tour of Australia.

– Smith to Join Greats –

Steve Smith is poised to join the ranks of cricketing greats as he nears the milestone of 10,000 Test runs. The 35-year-old was left stranded on 9,999 runs in Sydney but shows no signs of slowing down, having enjoyed a successful series with two battling centuries.

Smith is likely to continue his career and could be named captain for the Sri Lanka tour, especially if Pat Cummins opts out for the birth of his second child.