Australia vs India fifth Test predictions, betting tips and odds: Smith to continue stellar form at the SCG

Where to watch Australia vs India

TNT Sports 1, 11.30pm Thursday

Best bets

Steve Smith to score a first-innings fifty
3pts 11-8 general

Draw
1pt 9-2 Coral, Ladbrokes

Australia vs India prediction

After a dramatic final session in the Boxing Day Test, Australia lead India 2-1 going into the fifth and final match of the series in Sydney.

India's batsmen dug in on day five in Melbourne but Australia conjured up seven wickets after tea to seal a memorable 184-run victory.

Six of the last ten Tests at the Sydney Cricket Ground have ended in draws, including the last three against India, so Australia are in a commanding position having got their noses in front.

Their series lead should allow Steve Smith to bat at his own tempo and the resurgent Aussie number four is worth backing to reach 50 in the first innings at the SCG.

Smith ground out a vital century in the third Test in Brisbane before a far more fluent first-innings 140 at the MCG and he has scored four tons and seven half-centuries in 17 innings in Sydney.

India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has had a stunning series, claiming 30 wickets at an average of 12.83. However, his threat at the SCG may be reduced somewhat after he bowled 53.2 overs in Melbourne – the heaviest workload of his 44-Test career.

Bumrah's teammate Mohammed Siraj and Australia quicks Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have also shouldered significant burdens in the first four matches and the home batsmen should be confident heading to Sydney.

Like Smith, Marnus Labuschagne is back in the runs after a lean spell and he averages 81.55 at the SCG while Usman Khawaja has scored four centuries in 12 innings at the New South Wales venue.

India thumped Australia by 295 runs in the first Test in Perth but the Aussies won in Adelaide and Melbourne and dominated the rain-affected draw in Brisbane.

Australia are odds-on to complete a 3-1 series victory but the draw looks an appealing price given the weary bowling attacks, a patchy weather forecast and the recent history of stalemates in Sydney.

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