Cummins: Defeat of India ‘unreal’

Australia won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2015 as they overcame India by six wickets in the final Test at the SCG.

Pat Cummins celebrated an “unreal” triumph for Australia as they clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by hammering India in Sydney.

Australia rounded out a six-wicket victory on day three of the fifth and final Test at the SCG to claim the trophy for the first time in 10 years with a 3-1 victory.

The tourists ultimately offered little resistance, adding just 16 runs to their overnight total before Usman Khawaja (41), Travis Head (34 not out) and Beau Webster (39 not out) guided Australia, who lost the first Test in Perth, to an emphatic win.

“Unreal. This was one that a few of us didn’t have,” Australia captain Cummins said, having taken 3-44 in India’s second innings.

“It’s been an amazing series. [We’re] immensely proud.

“We’ve spent a lot of time together as a group over the years, so we knew we weren’t at our best at Perth, but it was never as bad as it seems.

“So you stick tight and double down on what makes us a really good side.”

Australia also secured their place in the ICC World Test Championship final, in which they will take on South Africa.

“It’s been such a special group,” Cummins added.

“I feel so privileged to first of all have this job. But what we’ve been able to achieve together alongside the support staff as well, it’s such a group effort, families as well.

“They give up so much. So yeah, really proud with what we’ve been able to achieve.”

Cummins had a series to remember from a personal standpoint, having taken 25 wickets at an average of 21.36.

He said: “Pretty happy with how I played throughout the series.

“I thought our planning and prep coming in was really good. I was lucky I had a bit of a freshen up leading to the series, and I think that really helped me and a couple of other guys. These are the big series that you try and peak for.” (Sportmax)