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Australia will be closely watching their new opener, Konstas, as he takes on a pivotal role, while India will be hoping for more consistent support for their star bowler, Bumrah, to strengthen their bowling attack. Big Picture: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Stake This is a crucial clash. If India win at the MCG, they retain […]
Australia will be closely watching their new opener, Konstas, as he takes on a pivotal role, while India will be hoping for more consistent support for their star bowler, Bumrah, to strengthen their bowling attack.
This is a crucial clash. If India win at the MCG, they retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A win for Australia, however, would keep them on track for their first series win over India in a decade. A defeat for Australia would raise significant questions, while if India lose, their World Test Championship (WTC) fate would slip out of their hands, though they could still retain the series trophy. With favorable weather expected, a draw seems unlikely, especially given the ground’s recent history. The match could take place in front of over 90,000 spectators, adding to the drama of the Boxing Day contest.
It’s only been six days since the rain-affected conclusion at the Gabba, but a lot has happened since then. If you weren’t aware of the scoreline, it might feel like India are ahead, especially after Australia was forced to make a change at the top of the order to counter Jasprit Bumrah. This results in 19-year-old Sam Konstas making an extraordinary debut after just 11 first-class matches. India, meanwhile, has faced some off-field drama, with Virat Kohli having a run-in with a reporter and Ravindra Jadeja answering questions only in Hindi, causing some tension. There were also murmurs of a conspiracy when India was given used pitches to train on at the MCG.
On the field, India is still searching for support for Bumrah and more runs from a misfiring top order. With few personnel changes likely, they’ll hope someone can step up, similar to KL Rahul’s leadership with the bat. Despite little cricket being played in the past two Tests—Adelaide ended early on Day 3 and rain affected Brisbane—Australia has dominated since Perth. But with the series tied at 1-1, there is little room for error. Australia’s top order remains under pressure, particularly with the decision to drop Nathan McSweeney for Konstas at a critical point in the series, while Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne struggle for runs. Travis Head has been a game-changer, and Steven Smith’s timely century will boost their confidence.
Australia’s pace-bowling depth, led by Scott Boland, who has enjoyed notable success at the MCG, could be the key to success. However, don’t count out Bumrah, who could single-handedly win the match for India, a team that has not lost a Test at the MCG since 2011.
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(last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia DWLWW
India DLWLL
Usman Khawaja is nearing the end of what has been his leanest Test year since 2013, when he averaged just 19.00 from three matches. In 2024, Khawaja has accumulated 337 runs at an average of 24.07, with only one fifty to his name. However, the Australian camp believes he is simply “out of runs” rather than being out of form, a sentiment similar to that held for Steven Smith before his century at the Gabba. Khawaja has set his sights on next year’s Ashes, potentially culminating in a finish at the SCG in over 12 months’ time. His fate, however, could be decided by his performances in the next two Tests and the upcoming Sri Lanka series.
While one Indian great, Virat Kohli, has already retired from this series, rumors swirl about who might be next. Kohli ended his century drought with a knock in Perth, but it currently seems like an outlier, as his recent dismissals have followed a troubling pattern—pushing at balls outside off stump. In Brisbane, he was caught reaching for a wide delivery. Kohli’s history at the MCG is notable, with a brilliant 169 and 54 in 2014 and a gritty 82 in 2018, which helped India secure a famous victory that sealed the series. Kohli missed the 2020 victory, but as 2024 unfolds, the question remains: what will the year bring for him?
Konstas’ debut was confirmed on Christmas Eve, and Boland will make his return in place of the injured Josh Hazlewood. Head successfully passed a fitness test on Christmas Day after recovering from a quad strain he sustained at the Gabba.
Australia: 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Sam Konstas, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Scott Boland
Rohit Sharma’s batting position continues to be a subject of speculation, though it’s unlikely that India will disrupt the opening partnership. Another key decision for India is who to select at No. 8: continue with Nitish Kumar Reddy, opt for another specialist quick (which would lengthen the tail), or bring in Washington Sundar as an alternative all-rounder, with a 3-2 balance of pace and spin.
India (possible): 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Rohit Sharma (capt), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Nitish Kumar Reddy/Washington Sundar, 9 Akash Deep, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed Siraj
The MCG pitch, a renowned haven for fast bowlers, has been under the spotlight ahead of the match. Curator Matt Page confirmed he will stick to the successful formula used in recent seasons, leaving about 6mm of grass on the surface. Australia coach Andrew McDonald mentioned that while the pitch typically favors bowling first, conditions could be different this time. With a hot opening day forecast, where temperatures could reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, the pitch may quicken earlier than usual. There is a possibility of showers on day two, but otherwise, the weather looks favorable, with more pleasant temperatures expected from day three onward.
Jasprit Bumrah is just six wickets away from reaching 200 in Tests. If he achieves this milestone at the MCG in his 44th Test, he will become the joint second-fastest Indian bowler to do so, behind only R Ashwin.
Since the 2018-19 season, the MCG has hosted six Test centuries, the lowest total among all Australian venues that have hosted more than one match.
Australia’s current batting average from their top three is their lowest ever in a home series of at least three Tests, a stat that includes Pat Cummins’ role as a nightwatchman in Perth.
“Every game starts afresh…different teams, different structures. Think both teams have similar challenges at the moment. How do you find runs? Both bowling attacks have been on top. I’m not a big believer in history repeating itself.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald wasn’t reading much into past Boxing Day results
“After three Test matches, if I had to look at it being one-all, it’s a fair reflection of how both teams have played. There has been solid cricket being played by both teams.”
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