Australia clinch series win over India for first time since 2015 with six-wicket victory on third day of fifth Test

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Australia beat India by six wickets on day three of the fifth Test to win the series 3-1 and regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy. After an early loss in Perth the hosts took victories in Adelaide, Melbourne and finally Sydney, with a rain-affected Test in Brisbane declared a draw. Victory in Sydney also secured their place in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in the summer.

Australia complete win over India to reclaim Border-Gavaskar Trophy – ‘Means a lot’

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Australia defeated India by six wickets on the third day in Sydney to lift the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2015.

The hosts recovered from 58-3 to reach their target of 162 in the fifth and final Test, completing a 3-1 win and booking a spot in the World Test Championship final this summer.

Travis Head and Beau Webster combined for the crucial final 58, with debutant Webster hitting the winning runs off Washington Sundar, while Scott Boland reached his maiden Test ten-wicket haul with 6-45 after taking 4-31 in the first innings.

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Australia captain Pat Cummins said: "It felt it was seesawing throughout the whole series so to finish it 3-1, to hold the trophy, is an amazing feeling.

"I think the extra layer is securing a spot in the World Test Championship final, which was always a huge goal for us in this cycle and we've done it. We are really satisfied."

India could only add 16 runs to their overnight score and were hampered by the loss of captain Jasprit Bumrah, who was electric earlier in the series but injured and unable to bowl here.

Another debutant, Sam Konstas, began the hosts' charge with 22 off 17 deliveries but from 39-0 the tide suddenly turned.

He was removed by an adept Prasidh Krishna, who also cheaply dismissed Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith for just six and four respectively, leaving the hosts reeling on 58-3.

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It was an especially frustrating dismissal for Smith, who was left one run shy of the 10,000 mark in Tests.

From there, Usman Khawaja settled the ship with 41 runs, combining with Head for 46, before Head and Webster (34 not out and 39 not out respectively) brought Australia home and secured the series win.

India managed to give Cummins' side an early scare but may be left rueing Player of the Series Bumrah's back injury, which he suffered on day two in Sydney, after the captain took 32 wickets over the five Tests.

Bumrah was replaced as captain by Virat Kohli, who was playing his last Test in Australia.

The home side now have the chance to defend their World Test Championship title at Lord's against South Africa, after they beat India in the 2023 showpiece.

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