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"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.

Virat Kohli, Steve Smith Receives Big Praise From Ravi Shastri: "They'll Be Dangerous..."

Former Indian cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri shared his thoughts on the performances of cricket's legendary "Fab Four"—Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson. Shastri delved into the fluctuating fortunes of these players in the longest format of the game and emphasised the resilience and hunger that still make Kohli and Smith dangerous opponents. While Root and Williamson have enjoyed a phenomenal 2024, scoring six and four Test centuries respectively, Kohli and Smith have managed only one each—both coming during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Root's prolific run in particular has solidified his place as one of the most consistent batters in modern cricket, while Williamson continues to exude elegance and composure at the crease.

Virat Kohli-Babar Azam Comparisons Laughed Off By Ex-Pakistan Star: "Even Joe Root, Steve Smith..."

Days after announcing his retirement from international cricket, former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir labelled India star batter Virat Kohli as the greatest player of the current generation. Amir, who has been one of Kohli's biggest admirers throughout his career, has laughed off such comparisons. Amir insisted that the likes of Babar Azam, Steve Smith and Joe Root can't be compared to Kohli, saying that it is hard to match the former India captain's numbers across formats.

Steve Smith, Pat Cummins Eye Massive Milestones In Boxing Day Test vs India

Big milestones are available for Australian stars Steve Smith and captain Pat Cummins to hunt during the Boxing Day Test against India, the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the superstars aiming to continue their brilliant run in the much-anticipated match. 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).

Watch: Define BCCI, ICC, Indian Cricket In One Word Each: Steve Smith, Travis Head Give Epic Reply

Australian cricket might have dominated ICC events, winning the most trophies, but Indian cricket is arguably considered the breadwinner for the sport. Over the last two decades, Indian cricket has grown leaps and bounds, challenging the Aussies and other top nations on every front. The Board of Control for Cricket In India (BCCI) has played a big role in Indian cricket's rise. In the form of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the BCCI has also given the cricket world a top franchise-based T20 league. Hence, even when Australian cricketers were asked about their views on the India board, they only had good things to say.

On Virat Kohli's Retirement Timing, India's Most Controversial Coach's Sharp 'Dignity' Verdict

Former Australia cricketer Greg Chappell, whose stint as Indian cricket team coach was controversial, believes that for the modern greats of cricket like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root, the end will come, but not when others tell them, but when they know. Chappell also reflected on the inevitable decline of elite batsmen and how it manifests in the careers of modern greats like Kohli, Smith, and Root. Chappell examines the phenomenon he calls "Elite Performance Decline Syndrome" (EPDS), offering a rare glimpse into the mental and physical battles faced by cricketers in the twilight of their careers.

KL Rahul Floors Cricket World, Experts Bow Down To India Star's Gabba Show

Making the most of his elevated batting role in the Indian team, KL Rahul hit 84 runs off 139 balls to lay the foundation of India's fightback against Australia at the Gabba. While others like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal gave away their wickets for cheap, Rahul showed the right mindset and attitude to deal with Australia's pace attack. Eventually, it was a heroic catch by Steve Smith, on the bowling of spinner Nathan Lyon that forced Rahul to head back to the pavilion.

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Steve Smith Sport News

"Won't Be Surprised If...": Pat Cummins' Big Verdict On MCG Pitch For 4th Test Against India

Boxing Day Test Weather Forecast: Rain Drama Likely On These Days

Virat Kohli, Steve Smith Receives Big Praise From Ravi Shastri: "They'll Be Dangerous..."

Virat Kohli-Babar Azam Comparisons Laughed Off By Ex-Pakistan Star: "Even Joe Root, Steve Smith..."

Steve Smith, Pat Cummins Eye Massive Milestones In Boxing Day Test vs India

Watch: Define BCCI, ICC, Indian Cricket In One Word Each: Steve Smith, Travis Head Give Epic Reply

On Virat Kohli's Retirement Timing, India's Most Controversial Coach's Sharp 'Dignity' Verdict

KL Rahul Floors Cricket World, Experts Bow Down To India Star's Gabba Show