BGT 5th Test: What’s a Defendable Total for India in Sydney?

The 5th Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) has progressed rapidly, with India stretching their lead to 145 runs on a green wicket favouring fast bowlers. After bundling out Australia for 181, India secured a slim 4-run lead. In reply, it was wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant who unleashed a fiery knock of 61 off 33 balls and kept the runs flowing with his breath-taking shots.

The SCG is renowned for its balanced pitch, offering good batting conditions for the first three days before progressively aiding bowlers. Both pacers and spinners find assistance, making it essential for batsmen to dig in and produce significant knocks. Since 2000, the SCG has seen only one successful chase of 200-plus, highlighting the challenge for teams batting last.

While teams have managed to draw games on four occasions when chasing a 200-plus target, seven sides have fallen short, underlining the importance of setting a defendable total. For India, a target of around 200 could be competitive, providing their bowlers with enough to exploit the spicy nature of the pitch.

The onus now falls on Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, both of whom have already hit half-centuries in the series, to extend the lead further on Sunday. A resilient effort from this pair could push India closer to an even more secure total, giving their bowlers the upper hand in this crucial Test match.

With the conditions in mind, every additional run will be vital as India eyes a series-defining win in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.