Australia win toss, to bat in fourth test at MCG
MELBOURNE :Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat in the fourth test against India on a scorching day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday.
Mitchell Starc Sport News
India vs Australia 4th Test Day 1, LIVE Score: Australia Opt To Bat As India Drop Shubman Gill
India vs Australia 4th Test LIVE Updates: Team India come into the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Boxing Day having managed to keep the series at 1-1, and still eyeing the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final. Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and co. managed to avoid a follow-on in the third Test at Brisbane, and a rain-hit encounter ensured that they came away with a draw. India will be hoping that their top order, particularly senior pros like Rohit and Virat Kohli, can find some form. On the other end, the bowling department will be hopeful that they can provide worthy support to pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. (LIVE SCORECARD)
India vs Australia 4th Test Live Streaming, Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 Live Telecast Boxing Day Test: When And Where To Watch
India vs Australia 4th Test LIVE Streaming and Live Telecast: The fourth chapter of the riveting Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 starts with the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. With the series tied at 1-1, and a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final at stake, the game is expected to be a hard-fought one. India will be hoping that their top order can fare better and take early control of the game, while Australia will be aiming to continue their good momentum from the second and third Tests. A win for either side in this Test match would ensure that they cannot lose the series anymore.
"Won't Be Surprised If...": Pat Cummins' Big Verdict On MCG Pitch For 4th Test Against India
Ahead of the fourth Test against India at Melbourne, Australian skipper Pat Cummins said that the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch looks "nice and firm" with a "bit of grass coverage" and it could help spinner Nathan Lyon as well. With the series level at 1-1, both sides will be playing the much-anticipated Boxing Day Test with an aim to secure an all-important series lead needed to push a case for the ICC World Test Championship final. Speaking ahead of the game in a pre-match presser, Cummins said about the pitch, "Pitch looks really good, quite consistent to what it has here for the last few years, I think, you know, a bit of grass coverage, feels nice and firm, so they (curators) have done a great job here for, you know, probably the last five, six years, their pitches and I suspect the same this year."
Boxing Day Test Weather Forecast: Rain Drama Likely On These Days
India are likely to ring a few changes when they take on Australia in the Boxing Day Test, starting December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Reports have claimed that India captain Rohit Sharma will open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, while KL Rahul will drop a slot down to no. 3. India could possibly line-up with two spinners -- Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja -- with either Shubman Gill or Nitish Kumar Reddy likely to face the axe. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep will keep their place in the pace bowling department.
Melbourne Pitch To Help Jasprit Bumrah And Co. In Boxing Day Test vs Australia? Curator Says: "As Much Pace..."
Ahead of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) head curator Matt Page hinted at 6 millimetres of grass being used on the pitch for the game, saying that surface will help both bowlers and batters. With the series level at 1-1, both teams will be playing the highly-anticipated Boxing Day Test from December 26 onwards, with an aim to secure an all-important lead and an edge ahead of the final Test at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
"A Master At Work": Australia Pacer's Blockbuster Praise For Jasprit Bumrah
Australia fast-bowler Sean Abbott was effusive in his praise for Jasprit Bumrah, saying that the current generation is seeing a master at work, adding that his unusual bowling action being never tinkered is a big blessing. In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy currently locked at 1-1, Bumrah has picked an impressive 21 wickets, while averaging 10.9, making him the leading wicket-taker overall in the five-match series. "He has any delivery on tap, the accuracy, the pace. He just ticks all the boxes, session after session. There's not been one time when he's bowled in this series where he hasn't been putting pressure on the Australian batsmen. I take my hat off to him, it's been unreal. We're seeing a master at work."
Ignored India Star Lauds Mitchell Starc, Calls Him The "Best Bowler" For Australia
Veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara showered praise on seamer Mitchell Starc and said that the 34-year-old has been the "best bowler" for Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series, reported Star Sports. The series is currently tied at 1-1 after India secured a draw in the third Test in Brisbane. The Boxing Day Test will kick off on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Starc made his Test debut in 2011 against New Zealand. Following that, the 34-year-old has took part 92 Test matches and 176 innings, picking up 372 wickets at an economy rate of 3.42.