The Sydney Cricket Ground is set to host the fifth and final Test match between India and Australia, which will determine the recipient of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Currently, Australia leads the series 2-1, meaning that a win or a draw will suffice for them to secure the trophy for the first time in ten years. Conversely, India, as the current holders, would retain the trophy by drawing the series.

This match marks the 14th occasion that India has played a Test at this historic venue, with their inaugural appearance occurring in December 1947 during their first tour of Australia. As one of the oldest cricket grounds globally, the Sydney Cricket Ground first welcomed a Test match in February 1882, making it the sixth Test match ever played. It also served as the venue for the second Test in India's inaugural tour of Australia in 1947/48, although rain significantly limited play during that match.

India faced a defeat in their second Test at the SCG, losing by 144 runs in January 1968. However, they achieved a remarkable victory in their third Test at the venue in January 1978, winning by an innings and 52 runs. The spin trio of BS Chandrashekhar, Erapalli Prasanna, and captain Bishan Singh Bedi excelled, dismissing Australia for 131 in their first innings and 263 in their second. Gundappa Viswanath contributed 79 runs, while Karsan Ghavri added 64, and several other players, including Sunil Gavaskar, Chetan Chauhan, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Syed Kirmani, scored in the 40s, leading India to declare at 396/8.

Notable recent encounters

Recent encounters between the two teams have been noteworthy. That 1978 victory remains India's last Test win at the SCG. Since then, the two sides have contested ten matches, with Australia winning four and the remainder ending in draws. The last four Tests played at the SCG have been significant for various reasons.

The second Test held in January 2012 marked the 100th Test match at the venue. Australia’s captain, Michael Clarke, celebrated this milestone by scoring an impressive 329 not out from 468 deliveries during Australia’s first innings. He formed a formidable fourth-wicket partnership of 288 runs with Ricky Ponting, who contributed 134 runs off 255 balls, and later established an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 334 runs with Mike Hussey, who scored 150 not out from 253 balls. Australia ultimately triumphed in that match by an innings and 68 runs.

This match represented the last occasion on which Australia secured a victory over India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The subsequent Test in January 2015 was notable for being Virat Kohli's inaugural match as captain, following MS Dhoni's unexpected retirement from the format after the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The match concluded in a draw, with David Warner, Steve Smith, debutant KL Rahul, and Kohli all achieving centuries in the first innings. The drawn match in 2019 solidified a historic series victory for India. Australia appeared to be heading towards a significant defeat, as Cheteshwar Pujara scored 193 runs and Rishabh Pant contributed an unbeaten 159, allowing India to declare at 622 for 7. Kuldeep Yadav claimed five wickets as Australia was bowled out for 300, and they had added six runs when rain interrupted play on Day 4, preventing any further action.

In the most recent Test at the SCG between the two teams, which remains the latest encounter to date, Australia maintained the advantage for the majority of the match. India was positioned at 272 for 5 while pursuing a target of 407 runs, and the dismissals of Pujara and Pant effectively dashed their hopes of victory. Nevertheless, Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari displayed remarkable resilience, batting for nearly 43 overs despite nursing injuries, ultimately securing a draw for their team.

Indian records at the SCG

Indian records at the SCG reveal that Sachin Tendulkar is the highest run-scorer for India in Tests at this venue, amassing 785 runs in just nine innings at an extraordinary average of 157.00, which includes three centuries and two half-centuries. Anil Kumble holds the record for the most wickets taken, with 20 dismissals in five innings at an average of 32.95 and a strike rate of 56.

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