Australia’s Scott Boland celebrates the dismissal of Virat Kohli on day 2 of the fifth Test in Sydney on January 4, 2025.
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Australian coach Andrew McDonald reiterated his team’s desire to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Speaking to the media at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Saturday (January 4, 2025), he said: “We are here to win a series. Would we get great satisfaction out of winning a series against India? There’s no doubt about that.”

Asked about the surface on offer for the fifth Test, the coach said: “The ground staff have done an incredible job of creating a wicket with something in it. Traditionally it’s quite benign and we had a lot of draws but this game has sped up.”

Reacting to Rishabh Pant’s rapid knock, McDonald said: “He has got an incredible ability to put pressure back on to bowlers. His was an innings that you would say was right for this time.”

The coach was thrilled with the way Scott Boland has performed: “Every time he pitches up in the Australian colours, he delivers. He is relentless on a length, moves the ball both ways and it is difficult (for the batters), particularly on this surface.”

Responding to Jasprit Bumrah’s niggle, McDonald said: “He is a threat any time. And, yeah, if he isn’t there, then India would have to come up with a new plan.”

The coach also found joy in the manner in which Virat Kohli was dealt with: “He has tried some things but you know, the relentless nature of Scotty has been incredibly difficult for him to combat. But he is never an easy wicket.”

India were dealt a telling blow as skipper and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah left for precautionary scans as he felt some discomfort, on January 4, 2025
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

India were dealt a telling blow as skipper and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah on Saturday (January 4, 2025) left the stadium for precautionary scans as he felt some discomfort after bowling one over in the post-lunch session of the second day of the fifth Test in Sydney.

Virat Kohli is currently leading the side in his absence.

Bumrah, who has already taken 32 wickets in the series, had figures of 2/33 in 10 overs having removed Marnus Labuschagne in the morning session.

After bowling one over in his post-lunch spell, Bumrah was seen feeling some discomfort which appeared side strain.

He spoke to Kohli and left the field and then official broadcasters showed him leaving the venue with team’s security liaison officer Anshuman Upadhyay and team doctor.

The Fox Sports visuals showed him leaving the stadium in a SUV.