The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia is set for an exciting finale. The iconic Sydney Cricket Ground is hosting the last game of the five-match Test series, where we are experiencing a low-scoring contest with a pace-bowling dominance.

The hosts Australia are leading the Test series by 2-1, as they can win the series and the trophy by only avoiding a defeat in the Test series finale. Australia last time won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the 2014-15 season at home. 

Meanwhile, it is the must-win game for India to end this overseas tour with a 2-2 scoreline and retain the trophy, which they won the previous four times (twice in Australia and twice in India). 

2025 Sydney Test, Australia vs India: 26 wickets in first two days

The first two days of the 2025 Sydney Test experienced very unusual scenes as the pace bowlers from both sides completely dominated. While the opening day of the Test match experienced 11 wickets falling, the second day experienced another 15 dismissals. 

See Also: Rishabh Pant shatters fastest Test fifty record by visitors in Australia

2025 Sydney Test, Australia vs India: Both teams scored 180+ totals in first innings

After the Indian stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah chose to bat first in the ongoing Sydney Test, the visitors scored 185 runs, while the hosts Australia replied with 181 runs. 

Starting their second innings with a four-run lead, India scored 141/6 at the stumps on the second day of the Test match with a lead of 145 runs. Surely, we are going to see a possible low-scoring thriller chase or defense in the unforgettable Test series finale. 

Here are some historic fourth innings stats in the Sydney Test history. 

Highest fourth innings target set: 735 by Australia vs West Indies in 1969 (Australia won by 382 runs)

Highest fourth innings target set with a draw result: 460 by Australia vs England in 1983 (England scored 314/7)

Highest fourth innings target successfully chased: 287 by Australia vs South Africa in 2006 (Australia won by eight wickets)

Lowest fourth innings target successfully defended: 111 by England vs Australia in 1887 (England won by 13 runs)

Fourth innings target successfully chases:

200 or more runs: 6 out of 49 times (11 draws)

175-199 runs: 3 out of 5 times (0 draws)

150-174 runs: 4 out of 8 times (2 draws)

149 or lesser runs: 20 out of 22 times (0 draws)

Since the 2000s

Lowest fourth innings target successfully defended: 176 by Australia vs Pakistan in 2010 (Australia won by 36 runs)

Highest fourth innings target successfully chased: 287 by Australia vs South Africa in 2006 (Australia won by eight wickets)

Fourth innings target successfully chases:

200 or more runs: 1 out of 12 times (4 draws)

199 or lesser runs: 7 out of 8 times (0 draws)

Since 2010s

Lowest fourth innings target successfully defended: 176 by Australia vs Pakistan in 2010 (Australia won by 36 runs)

Highest fourth innings target successfully chased: 141 by Australia vs Sri Lanka in 2013 (Australia won by five wickets)

Fourth innings target chases successfully:

200 or more runs: 0 out of 6 times (3 draws)

199 or lesser runs: 2 out of 3 times (0 draws)