Sydney weather on January 3-Will Rain Affect Day 1 of Final BGT 2024-25 Test?

Cricket fans across the globe are now waiting for the fifth and last Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which is scheduled for January 3 at the SCG in Sydney. This India-Australia encounter has high stakes, as India needs to win the match to tie the series at 2-2 and take away the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy from Australia. The game also provides India with one last opportunity to in order to strengthen their claim to the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

So far, India had faced quite a few challenges.

India's series was a roller coaster ride. Starting with a dominant 295-run win in Perth, where they were totally under the command of Jasprit Bumrah, their fortunes rapidly declined. The team suffered a 10-wicket defeat in Adelaide under Rohit Sharma's captaincy. The team was rescued by rain in Brisbane, which drew the match for them. Then came the third Test at Melbourne on Boxing Day, which was a repeat performance, resulting in a massive defeat by 184 runs.

The inconsistent show has raised some questions about the strategy and combination of the team. There have been reports which suggest that poor form might drop Rohit Sharma for the last Test, as Jasprit Bumrah can take over his captaincy reins. Young sensation Shubman Gill is all set to join the playing eleven for the Melbourne Test.

Match Timing and Venue:

The last Test of the BGT 2024-25 series is to start on Friday, January 3, and play will commence at 5:00 AM IST (10:30 AM local time). This high-stakes encounter will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, famous for its lively pitches and rich cricketing history.

Sydney Weather Forecast for January 3

The weather conditions in Sydney might play a decisive role in the outcome of the match, as cricket is so dependent on extrinsic factors like rain and light. AccuWeather predicts a relatively good forecast for January 3, as the chances of rain are less likely to hamper the play on the first day.

Morning Weather

The morning is forecasted to be partly sunny with a pleasant temperature around 23 degrees Celsius in Sydney. Precipitation is six percent likely and cloud cover, though predicted at 88 percent, should not hamper the view or conditions too much. Humidity levels are expected to range around 70 percent, so it will be good conditions for swing bowlers in the early part of the day.

Afternoon Weather

Throughout the match, especially after noon, the weather should be consistent. The temperature will be comfortable and there is a four percent chance of precipitation. The clouds may decrease to around 80 percent, while the humidity might go down to about 60 percent. All this is suited for batsmen, and there's no chance for the ball to swing much as in the morning.

Evening Weather

In the evening session, AccuWeather has forecasted clear and windy conditions. The chances of rain during this time are minimal at three percent, and cloud cover is expected to decrease to just eight percent. Humidity may increase to above 70 percent, which could help the spinners to some extent. Overall, the day promises uninterrupted play, much to the relief of players and fans.

Key Takeaways from Team India

The weather will not be a factor in disrupting the game. The entire onus will lie on the performance of the players. India's bowling attack, led by the experience of Bumrah, will look to capitalise on the morning conditions to make early inroads into the Australian batting line-up. The returning Shubman Gill will be under pressure to deliver at the top order, especially if Rohit Sharma is rested.

Australia, however, will seek to capitalize on the momentum. Dominating the last two Tests, they will look to seal the series with a comprehensive win at home. The SCG pitch, which helps spinners more in the latter half of the game, may also affect team selections on both sides.

A Decisive Day for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Day 1 of the fifth BGT Test is building up to be a great beginning to the series finale. Under clear skies and favorable playing conditions, both teams will have their chance to exhibit their skills without any external hindrances. India will look for redemption after the successive setbacks to keep their World Test Championship hopes alive. For Australia, it is an opportunity to assert dominance and reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

As the cricketing world breathes in a collective hold of its breath, one thing can be certain-that Sydney is due for an action-packed day of Test cricket on January 3, with hardly any rain dampening the spirits.