India vs Australia 5th Test, Day 1 Live: The National Anthems Are Done

The national anthems of both India and Australia are over and it is time for the on-field action to begin. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul would be keen to reproduce the Perth magic, maybe even go a step further, as they open together again. For Australia, the task remains simple, get the most out of the 7mm grass that’s there on the pitch at present. 

India vs Australia 5th Test Day 1: Why No Harshit Rana?

Harshit Rana played the first two Tests for India in Perth and Adelaide and he was pretty impressive in the series opener which India won. But, it is Prasidh Krishna who gets the team management’s not for the Pink Test in Sydney. The selection decisions do highlight lack of clarity in the Indian team at the moment. 

India vs Australia 5th Test Live: A Look At The Pitch

Here’s how the pitch at SCG looks like this morning:

Fun watching the pitch at the SCG. Let’s have some fun #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/rAEpndTajR

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 2, 2025

IND vs AUS 5th Test Live: Nitish Kumar Reddy On His Father’s Special Hug After MCG Ton

Nitish Kumar Reddy goes shares his emotions after the special MCG hundred.

“For 30 seconds I felt a warm hug, it was a great moment for me. As a son I always wanted my father to hug me.”

Nitish Kumar Reddy shares a special moment he shared with his father after scoring his maiden Test hundred. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/600kTsEHGW

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 2, 2025

India vs Australia 5th Test Live: The Pitch Report

There’s plenty of grass on the pitch, unlike we have seen in any of the 4 Tests today. Sunil Gavaskar feels Pat Cummins would be happy to field first considering the field, as well as the overcast conditions. It’s going to be quite tricky for India’s openers — Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul — today. Shubman Gill, back at No. 3, also faces a big Test to keep his place in India’s XI. 

Pink Test Live: How The Playing XIs Look Like

A look at both XIs of the team as Australia also make some changes to the playing XI:

India vs Australia 5th Test Live: Rohit Sharma Opts Out As India Bat First

Jasprit Bumrah, as expected, comes out for toss as the stand-in skipper after Rohit Sharma ‘opted to rest’. India win toss and decide to bat first. Two changes for the Indian team as Prasidh Krishna and Shubman Gill come into India’s XI. Pat Cummins not to disappointed as SCG has overcast conditions at the moment. 

India vs Australia, 5th Test Live: Bumrah’s Captaincy Faces Another Test

With Rohit Sharma being dropped to the bench, Jasprit Bumrah will have another opportunity to showcase his captaincy credentials today. Rumours of Virat Kohli wanting to be Team India’s ‘interim captain’ have also been doing rounds on the internet but the team management faces a big task ahead of them if Rohit decides to call it a day in Tests. 

IND vs AUS, 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Did Gambhir Turn Down Request To Keep Rohit In XI?

It has also been reported by PTI that Gautam Gambhir was asked if Rohit Sharma can be a part of India’s XI in Sydney and bow out from Tests after the match. But the head coach turned down the request. For Gambhir, the priority remains winning the final BGT Test at SCG and retain the trophy by drawing the series 2-2. 

India vs Australia 5th Test, Day 1 Live: Is It Farewell Rohit Sharma?

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Day 1 of the 5th Test between India and Australia from Sydney. The news of India captain Rohit Sharma being dropped from the 5th Test against Australia has already been doing rounds in the internet. Though head coach Gautam Gambhir refused to confirm if Rohit will be a part of the XI today, it is understood that Jasprit Bumrah will leading the side as the Hitman warms the bench. Shubman Gill is said to be a part of the playing XI again while the injured Akash Deep is out. Will there be other changes too?