For the fifth time in the annals of test cricket, a captain of a team was dropped from the playing eleven due to his poor performance though there are numerous occasion of a captain not finding a place in the playing eleven due to  injury.

RG Sharma, India’s appointed captain for this tour was dropped from the playing eleven due to his poor form with the willow earned the distinction of becoming the first Indian caption to be dropped from the playing eleven.

Mike Denness: In the 1974 Ashes series, after Australia had comprehensively beaten England in the first two Tests and the third Test ended in a draw, captain Denness was in poor form. Conceding that his form could hinder the team, Denness opted to drop himself from the playing XI for the fourth Test. Tony Greig took over as captain, but England lost the match. Denness returned for the fifth Test, but Australia ultimately claimed the series 4-1.

Michael Clarke: After a string of disappointing performances in 2015, Michael Clarke considered stepping down as Australia’s captain and even hinted at taking a break from playing. While he did not officially drop himself from the playing XI, his form and leadership faced intense scrutiny, sparking conversations about his future role.

Brendon McCullum: Following a challenging series in 2016, Brendon McCullum contemplated his future as New Zealand’s captain due to his struggles with the bat. Ultimately, McCullum chose to retire from international cricket, including stepping down from the captaincy, bringing an end to his leadership reign.

Alastair Cook: In 2016, Alastair Cook’s form came under heavy scrutiny, and following a series of poor performances, he eventually stepped down as England’s captain in early 2017. Though Cook did not drop himself from the team before resigning, the pressure surrounding his form played a key role in his decision to relinquish the captaincy.

India won the toss and elected to bat first to provide the 40th occasion of India doing so against Australia. It also provides the 21st occasion of India doing so against Australia in Australia. It also provides the eighth occasion of India doing so against Australia at Sydney.

India was dismissed for 185 in this test after it had won the toss and elected to bat first in this test to provide the 14th occasion of India dismissed for a total less than 200 runs in an innings against Australia. It also provides the seventh occasion of India dismissed for a total less than 200 runs in an innings against Australia in Australia. It also provides the fourth occasion of India dismissed for a total less than 200 runs in an innings against Australia at Sydney.

Australia capped BJ Webster for this test. He became the 469th cricketer to represent Australia in tests  He also became the 301st cricketer to represent Australia in Australia. He also became the 77^th cricketer to represent Australia in tests played at Sydney.

Australia capped BJ Webster for this test. He became the 59th Australian cricketer to make his debut against India in tests  He also became the 40th Australian cricketer to make his debut against India in tests against India in Australia. He also became the fourth Australian cricketer to make his debut against India in tests played at Sydney.

RR Pant had scored 778 runs against Australia as a wicket keeper batsman prior to the start of this test. 22 more runs would fetch him 800 runs. He scored 40 in India’s first innings which fetched him 818 runs. He became the second Indian wicket keeper batsman to score 800 plus runs against Australia. MS Dhoni is the other Indian wicket keeper batsman who has scored 990 runs against Australia

RR Pant had scored 778 runs against Australia in Australia as a wicket keeper batsman. 22 more runs would fetch him 800 runs. He scored 40 in India’s first innings which fetched him 818 runs. He became the first Indian wicket keeper batsman to score 800 plus runs against Australia in Australia.

RR Pant had scored 778 runs against Australia in Australia as a wicket keeper batsman. 22 more runs would fetch him 800 runs. He scored 40 in India’s first innings which fetched him 818 runs. He scored 40 in India’s first innings which fetched him 818 runs.He became the first wicket keeper batsman in the annals of test cricket to score 800 plus runs against Australia in Australia.

KL Rahul had scored 849 runs against Australia as an opening batsman prior to the start of this test. He scored four runs in India’s first innings fetched him 853 runs. He became the fifth Indian opening batsman to score 850 runs against Australia.  Others are –V Sehwag {1738}, SM Gavaskar {1550}, M Vijay {1324} and CPS Chauhan {878}

JJ Bumrah had captured 30 wickets in the on-going test series against Australia in Australia. He needed one more wicket which would fetch him 31 wickets. He took one wicket in Australia’s first innings at the close of play on the first day which fetched him 31 wickets. He now shares the record for most wickets by an Indian bowler in a series against Australia in Australia with Bishen Singh Bedi. Bishen Singh Bedi who had captured 31 wickets against Australia in Australia in 1977-78 series

SPD Smith had pouched 37 catches against India prior to the start of this test.  He took two catches in India’s first innings fetched him 39 catches and with it he shares the record for most catches by a fieldsman against India with IVA Richards. IVA Richards has pouched 39 catches against India. SPD Smith went past AN Cook who had pouched 38 catches against India on his way to joint first position.

PJ Cummins will be leading Australia in his 33rd test when he leads Australia against India at Sydney to become the 47^th captain in the annals of test cricket to lead a team in 33 or more tests.

PJ Cummins will be leading Australia in his 33rd test when he leads Australia against India at Sydney to become the ninth Australian captain in the annals of test cricket to lead a team in 33 or more tests.