AUS vs IND, 4th Test live streaming, TV guide, MCG pitch conditions and India timings

It’s 1-1 after three rounds. The boxing bout between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will resume at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day. It can’t get bigger than this. A packed crowd of close to 90,000 will witness the opening day of one of the most-anticipated fixtures of the Australian summer, adding to the hype around the big-ticket clash.

Australia were hammered by 295 runs in the series opener in Perth, but Pat Cummins-led team bounced back to beat India by 10 wickets in the second Test, a pink-ball match in Adelaide. Australia had the upper hand in the third Test in Brisbane after India’s batting failed in their first innings and Australia rode on a Travis Head special, his second straight hundred in the series. However, rain and a determined batting effort from India’s last-wicket pair of Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah ensured India escaped the follow-on and secured a draw.

Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Full Coverage

Not many would have expected the series scoreline to read 1-1, especially after Australia picked Perth, Adelaide (pink-ball) and Brisbane as the venues for the first three Tests of the five-match series. India certainly seem to be the happier of the two sides ahead of the Boxing Day Test. The visiting team also stole some momentum when Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep ran through Australia’s batting in their second innings in Brisbane.

Head-to-head record at the MCG

India also have a favourable record at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

India have won four Tests in Melbourne in 14 Tests. While they have lost eight, the winning record is the best for India at an Australian venue.

Also Read: How the MCG, India’s favourite hunting ground, has changed since their last visit

The record is spot-free in the last decade. India have not lost to Australia at the G since 2011. In 2014, India held Australia to a draw and won their Boxing Day Tests in 2018-19 and 2020-21.

When and where will the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia be played?

The fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played from December 26 to 30 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The toss on Day 1 is scheduled at 10 am local time, 4:30 am IST.

Session Timings in IST

First session: 5 am to 7 am

Lunch: 7 am to 7:40 am

Second session: 7:40 am to 9:40 am

Tea: 9:40 am to 10 am

Third session: 10 am to 12 pm

The day’s play can be extended until 12:30 pm if overs have to be completed.

How have the two teams been shaping up for the 4th Test?

Australia announced their XI on the eve of the Boxing Day Test. All eyes will be on 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who is all set to open the batting along with Usman Khawaja. The Australian selectors dropped Nathan McSweeney, who was dropped after the first three Tests of the series. Konstas is set to become Australia’s youngest opener and the youngest debutant since Pat Cummins in 2011.

On the other hand, Travis Head, Australia’s main man with the bat, was declared fit after he overcame a groin injury scare. Head has been in prime form, hitting back-to-back hundreds in the Test series.

Also Read: What is India’s record in the coveted Boxing Day Test?

Australia were forced to make one change, bringing back Scott Boland in place of injured Josh Hazlewood, who will take no further part in the series. Boland has an envious record at the MCG, his home ground.

Meanwhile, India haven’t answered any questions about their combination for the big-ticket Test. Rohit Sharma, who spoke to the press on Christmas eve, remained tight-lipped about the combination, days after R Ashwin’s sudden retirement.

“Let’s not worry about that. I think who bats where, we should be discussing that within ourselves and I shouldn’t be answering this question in every press conference,” Rohit had said when asked about his batting position for the MCG Test.

However, Rohit Sharma, according to reports, is expected to open the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. KL Rahul, who has been solid as an opener, is likely to drop to No. 3. It remains to be seen if Shubman Gill will retain his place in the side or Nitish Kumar Reddy will make away for a second spinner.

Speculation is also rife that India might play Washington Sundar as an extra spinner in the XI.

Also Read: India’s predicted XI for Boxing Day Test

What’s the news about the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch?

Curator Matt Page, speaking to the press on Monday, confirmed that Melbourne will assist pacers more than spinners. However, he stressed that the MCG pitches are not as lively as the ones in Perth and Brisbane. Page also confirmed that 6mm of grass will be left on Day 1 of the Test.

Nathan Lyon’s impressive numbers also suggest that there will be help for spin in the latter stages of the Test. A lot will depend on how the weather plays. Day 1 is expected to be hotter than normal.

MCG had been batter-friendly in the past, but recent trend suggests that the bowlers will enjoy the conditions in the Boxing Day Test.

Only once in the last four years has an innings total of 400+ been breached at the venue. In fact, in the last four Tests, teams have struggled to breach the 200-run barrier at the G.

Since 2018-19, the MCG has had the lowest bowling average of all major venues in Australia, at 26.57. Pace has dominated, averaging 24.50, according to ESPN.

What’s the prediction for the Boxing Day Test?

India will look to take confidence from their recent record in Melbourne. Having sealed a bit of momentum in Perth, expect the visitors to step up to the challenge. If India’s batting clicks, then they are well-placed to complete a hat-trick of Boxing Day Test wins Down Under.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Devdutt Padikkal, Tanush Kotian.

Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.