Australia captain Pat Cummins had never won a Border-Gavaskar Trophy before, but the 2024/25 season gave him and the hosts' to clinch the series after a decade. Reflecting on the 3-1 series win, after beating India by six wickets at Sydney, Cummins said the team felt very privileged over winning the series on their home soil.
"It's unreal. It is the one that a few of us didn't have. The boys have had their eye on it and it has lived up to the hype. We were just clear with the plans. Wanted to minimise the runs. We knew it was going to be a tricky wicket. The batters had a good method. Ultimately it worked out.
"Immensely proud. We spent a lot of time together as a group. Perth wasn't half bad after all. We had plenty of laughs during the entire adventure. Little bit of success every now and then is okay too. I am truly blessed and lucky to achieve everything we could have ever thought possible. The specialness is truly something so different. Really proud of what we have been able to achieve and hopefully have the best time of our lives as we're doing it all together, as well," Cummins said at the presentation ceremony.
He also said this series is one of his favourite series while playing Test cricket for Australia, and especially with 837,879 fans collectively attending all five matches. "It'll go down as one of my favourite series. Thanks to Rohit and Jasprit. The fans have made this series.".
It shows why Test cricket's the best format. Every venue was incredible - MCG was great, and three sellouts in Sydney. It is such a special day in the calendar (pink Test). It is something I grew up with. We are celebrating such a great cause."
Cummins also showered praise on debutants Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, and Beau Webster as well as on batting mainstays Travis Head and Steve Smith. "Three debutants this series and all came in and contributed. Beau today was fantastic.".
"Pretty happy with how I played throughout the series. In some key moments, some of our mainstays really stood up in those key moments, these people have turned up. You need to do that to beat a side like India."
Scott Boland, who got the Player of the Match award for his game haul of 10-76, including a six-fer in the second innings, said it felt awesome to be a part of the side winning the series against India.
That will be nice. It's been a really enjoyable couple of months. I didn't think I would take too much part in the series. But I was prepared. Just got my body right, did some gym work, and here I am. To win 3-1 against India hasn't been done for a while. It was awesome. I am just happy to play the part whenever possible," he said.
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