The wait for the Boxing Day Test is almost over. With the series tantalizingly poised at 1-1, India and Australia are set to take the field for the fourth match, starting in Melbourne Thursday (December 26, 2024), in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. (Streaming | Prediction | Preview)
A lot has happened and been said since the rain-marred draw at the Gabba in Brisbane. Spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin has retired, Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian flown in as cover and ace seamer Mohammed Shami ruled out of the last two Tests too.
As for the Australian camp, marauder-in-chief Travis Head has finally been cleared to play and Sam Konstas handed a debut after just 11 first-class games.
India Squad And Australia Playing XI
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Tanush Kotian, Sarfaraz Khan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal.
Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marcus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.
Before the action begins, here are three key battles to look forward to from the fourth IND vs AUS Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground:
Jasprit Bumrah Vs Sam Konstas
The 19-year-old Sam Konstas enters the Test arena with a reputation of being excitingly aggressive. But the debutant would be well aware of how Jasprit Bumrah has already put brakes on his predecessor Nathan McSweeney's career. The numero uno bowler has single-handedly swung India's fortunes in the series so far, and his duel with the youngster could be an interesting one to watch.
Virat Kohli Vs Scott Boland
Every avid cricket follower knows about Virat Kohli's persistent troubles outside the off stump in swinging and/or seaming conditions. In Scott Boland, Australia have a worthy replacement for Josh Hazlewood — someone who can consistently bowl nagging lines while giving away scant freebies. Boland demonstrated that while snaring Kohli in the pink-ball Adelaide Test, and will seek an encore at the MCG.
Rohit Sharma Vs Pat Cummins
The battle of the captains could prove to be a closely contested one. Rohit Sharma has looked woefully out of touch in the two Tests he has played so far, and Pat Cummins has made the most of it, dismissing him twice in three innings. The India skipper might find batting slightly easier in Melbourne, and if so, would look to counter-punch with his audacious Strokeplay, especially against the rising ball.
