India and Australia are set to lock horns in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday. With the series tied at 1-1, the Boxing Day Test holds immense significance as both teams aim to take a decisive lead and bolster their chances of securing a spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.
The MCG pitch, as observed three days before the match, had a green tinge and is expected to retain a good grass cover on Day 1. This could play a critical role in the captains’ decisions at the toss. Australian skipper Pat Cummins commented on the surface during a pre-match press conference, describing it as “nice and firm” with “consistent grass coverage.” He commended the curators for maintaining quality pitches over the years.
Adding to the challenge, Melbourne’s weather is set to test the players, with temperatures expected to soar to 40 degrees on the opening day.
India and Australia have faced off in 110 Test matches, with Australia leading the rivalry with 46 wins compared to India’s 33. Thirty matches have ended in draws, and one match was tied.
At the MCG, India has played 14 Tests, winning four, losing eight, and drawing two. Notably, India has been unbeaten at this venue since 2011, claiming victories in the 2018 and 2021 Boxing Day Tests. These matches showcased standout performances and strategic brilliance, boosting India’s confidence in Melbourne’s challenging conditions.
Australia will see key changes, with pacer Scott Boland replacing the injured Josh Hazlewood, while left-handed batter Travis Head has recovered from a minor quad strain and is fit to play. Young batting talent Sam Konstas, who has impressed in the ongoing Sheffield Shield season with 471 runs at an average of 58.87, continues to garner attention. His performances in the ICC U19 World Cup 2024 and warm-up games against India underscore his potential as a game-changer.
For India, skipper Rohit Sharma is expected to return to his opening role. Reports suggest KL Rahul, who has been India’s standout batter in the series with 235 runs at an average of 47.00, will move to number three. Rahul’s solid technique and ability to see off the new ball have been key to India’s stability at the top.
Rohit, however, has struggled in the middle order this series, managing just 19 runs in three innings since returning during the Adelaide Test. Despite these struggles, his track record as an opener is exceptional, with 2,685 runs in 42 matches at an average of 44.01, including nine centuries.