Australia Playing 11 vs India- 5th Test, India tour for Australia 2024-25

high flying Australia will be looking to inflict another defeat on India when the two teams meet in the final Test of the ongoing five-match series. The next Test will be played from Friday (January 3) at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The hosts have taken a 2-1 lead in the series after thrashing India by 184 runs in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Batting first, the hosts scored 474 runs thanks to a century from Steve Smith and half-centuries from Usman Khawaja, debutant Sam Konstas and Marnus Labuschagne.

In reply, India scored 369 runs with Nitish Reddy scoring a sensational century and Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring 82 runs. In the second innings, the Australians scored 234 runs. Set a target of 340 runs, India were bowled out for just 155 runs.

Even a draw in the next game will be enough for the hosts to seal the series. However, they will be keen to win the event to book their place in the World Event Championship final. With the Aussies looking for a crucial win in the 5th Test, here is the Australia playing 11 for the India vs Australia 5th Test.

Australia Playing 11 vs India- 5th Test, India tour for Australia 2024-25

Openers: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas

Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas are likely to be the first in the Playing XI for the fifth Test against India. Konstas made his debut at the Melbourne test and hit the ground running. The youngest player to open the innings for the Australians in a Test match, Konstas stunned the cricketing world by attacking Jasprit Bumrah on his debut.

He was eventually bowled out for 60 runs off just 65 balls in his debut innings. In the second innings, Konstas scored just 8 runs before being bowled by a stunning delivery from Bumrah.

Khawaja also managed to find some form as he scored 57 runs in the first innings. In the second innings, the southpaw was out for 21 runs and will be looking to end the series with a big score.

Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (week)

Marnus Labuschagne managed to relieve some of the pressure by scoring half-centuries in both innings. The right-handed batsman scored 72 runs in the first innings before scoring 70 runs in the second innings.

Steve Smith scored his second consecutive century in the series as he led the hosts’ charge with the bat in the first innings. The former captain scored 140 runs in the first innings before scoring 13 runs in the second innings.

Travis Head suffered a rare setback and will be looking to bounce back in the next test. The Australian star was dismissed cheaply in both innings by Bumrah. He was out for a duck in the first innings before scoring 1 run in the second innings.

Mitchell Marsh’s poor streak continued as Australia failed to make their presence felt again. He failed with the bat in both innings, scoring 4 and 0. With the ball, Marsh failed to take any wickets. Alex Carey scored 31 runs in the first innings before scoring 2 runs in the second innings.

Bowlers: Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

The hosts are unlikely to change the bowling line-up in the Australia Playing 11 for the fifth Test. Captain Pat Cummins will lead the attack with Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland as fast bowling partners. Nathan Lyon is ready to lead the rotating attack.