After winning the Test series in the last two tournaments in Australia, India suffered a 1-3 defeat at the hands of the hosts in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia have been clinical in this series and ensured they finish the series on top in Sydney.
After the defeat, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir spoke about the moments when India lost this series. Gambhir also refused to blame any department for the loss as he believes that India need to be better in both to be a successful team.
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Watch: Gautam Gambhir gives an amazing answer to the reporter
In the press conference after the Sydney Test, Gautam Gambhir spoke about the moments when India had the chances to go ahead in the series. Gambhir also gave an amazing answer to a reporter when asked about the mistakes made by India.
“Gautam, what are the mistakes we made that made us 3-1? Because until you accept that mistakes were made, you cannot improve,” the reporter asked.
Reply to this Gautam Gambhir said, “First of all, the person sitting on the vehicle will be the first to admit his mistake. So, don't worry that he won't accept his mistake.”
(“First of all, the person sitting here will be the first to admit that mistakes were made, so you don't have to worry about us not admitting it.”)
India's head coach believes Australia could have been put under a lot more pressure if the Melbourne Test had ended in a draw.
“We had our moments in this series where we could have won… the way we started this series, the pink-ball Test match, and then we drew a match (at the Gabba),” Gautam Gambhir said.
“If you look at the last session in Melbourne (Day 5), there would have been a lot more pressure on Australia with the series locked at 1-1,” he added.
The fourth Test in Melbourne was heading for a draw. However, India suffered a shocking batting collapse in the last session of Day 5 and lost the match. The Men in Blue lost seven wickets in the final session, with Australia leading 2-1 at that point.
Where did India lose the Sydney Test?
Gautam Gambhir further lamented the opportunity to win the Sydney Test. He feels things would have been slightly different had the Indian batsmen put a good score on the board in the second innings.
“There were moments in this match too. We took the lead even after going all out for 180 in the first innings. If we batted well in the second innings and gave a target of around 250-275 , then things might have been different,” observed Gambhir.
“I will not blame any department (batting or bowling). Generally, if we want to play well, we have to perform better in all departments,” the former India opener claimed.
India fight back but Australia go out to win
India were bundled out for just 185 in the first innings of the Sydney Test but the bowlers came back strongly to dismiss Australia for just 181. India needed their batting to step up at this point and they did in the first Test at Perth.
But the batting line-up went wrong and the team could not cope with the power of the Australian bowlers on a spicy pitch. Apart from Rishabh Pant, no other batsman could make their mark when the team needed them.
Pant scored a counter-attacking 61 from just 33 balls and looked the only Indian batsman in command. Virat Kohli's poor form continued and ended a highly disappointing series for him. India scored just 157 in the second innings and Australia were left with 162 runs to win.
The target was not big and the hosts knew they would be in control with just one good partnership. Jasorit Bumrah's unavailability didn't help India's cause either. Australia chased down the target with six wickets in hand and regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.