IND vs AUS 5th Test: Australia beat India by 6 wickets in Sydney, secure WTC final berth with 3-1 series win

The defending champions, Australia secured their spot in the ICC World Test Championship final of the 2023-25 cycle by defeating India by six wickets in the fifth Test at Sydney on Sunday. This victory not only marked Australia's 10-year drought but also saw them clinch their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy by a 3-1 margin since 2015. Interestingly, the last four editions of the tournament had all ended in a 2-1 margin in favor of India since 2017.

Facing a 162-run chase Australia found themselves at 71 for three before ultimately claiming their 11th win of the ongoing cycle.

This triumph propelled the Aussies to 130 points from 17 games this cycle, increasing their points percentage (PCT) to 63.72 and eliminating India, who finished with a 50 PCT after 18 matches this edition. Notably, five of India's seven losses this cycle occurred in their last two series beginning with a 0-3 home series whitewash against New Zealand. This marks the first time in three cycles that India has missed out on the WTC final.

Australia will now join South Africa in the final set to take place at Lord's Cricket Ground between June 11-15 this year. South Africa secured their spot by defeating Pakistan in the recent Boxing Day Test, becoming the fourth team to make the WTC final after India (2021 and 2023), Australia (2023), and inaugural winners New Zealand (2021).

South Africa's WTC 2023-25 campaign began with a 1-1 home series draw against India before suffering a 0-2 defeat to New Zealand away in February this year. Temba Bavuma's men then went on to win successive series in West Indies and Bangladesh before triumphing over Sri Lanka 2-0 at home earlier this month.

Australia will have two more Tests to play in Sri Lanka, with the series set to begin later this month.

Australia and South Africa have a long history of competition, having faced off in 101 Tests. Australia currently leads the head-to-head record with an impressive 54-26 margin. The Proteas' most recent encounter with Australia was during their tour Down Under in 2022-23, where they suffered a 2-0 defeat.

The upcoming World Test Championship final will also be significant as it will be the first neutral Test match between the two teams in 113 years. The last time Australia and South Africa played a neutral Test was during the Triangular Tournament held in England in 1912.

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