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What a day of Test cricket it has been today! Absolutely sensational stuff at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with both India and Australia sharing spoils on an action-packed Boxing Day! Sam Konstas attracted eyeballs for his sensationally confident approach against the Jasprit Bumrah-led Indian bowling attack. The 19-year-old, on debut, provided a breath of fresh air to Australia's opening combination and the positive intent he showed for his 65-ball 60 on debut is set to be talked about a long time to come. And so will his confrontation with Virat Kohli as the two collided in the middle. The 19-year-old Sam Konstas' fearless approach was the biggest talking point of the day when three other Australian batters got half-centuries--Usman Khawaja (57), Marnus Labuschagne (72) and Steve Smith (68*). For India, it was Jasprit Bumrah once again who was the standout performer as he picked up three wickets for 75 runs, the biggest of those scalps being that of Travis Head. Akash Deep (1/59), Washington Sundar (1/37) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/54) were also amongst the wickets. With Steve Smith (68*) at the crease, Australia will look to get close to 400 or even exceed that mark to put pressure on India on Day 2!
OUT! Akash Deep has produced a beautiful delivery to dismiss Alex Carey! The pacer made the difference with the new ball in hand which caught the edge of Carey's bat before heading towards Rishabh Pant who took a simple catch. A deserved wicket after the hard work he has done all day. Alex Carey c Rishabh Pant b Akash Deep 31(41)
FIFTY for Steve Smith, the fourth Australian to score a half-century today! It has been a good knock from the star Australian batter who has done all the hard work so far. He will look to make this a big one now.
OUT! Jasprit Bumrah continues his magic and this time, he has dismissed Mitchell Marsh. The right-hander went for a big booming shot on the leg-side but edged the ball and Rishabh Pant took a simple catch. India are on a roll here and Australia under the pump! Mitchell Marsh c Rishabh Pant b Jasprit Bumrah 4(13)
OUT! India have the big wicket of their tormentor-in-chief Travis Head! The left-hander shoulders arms to a Jasprit Bumrah delivery which crashes into his stumps! A massive moment in this game and Bumrah has delivered again! Travis Head b Jasprit Bumrah 0(7)
OUT! A break has brought about a change in fortunes for Team India! Marnus Labuschagne, who batted so well so far, has a lapse in concentration as he hits one straight to Virat Kohli who takes the catch. India have a breakthrough and out comes Travis Head. Marnus Labuschagne c Virat Kohli b Washington Sundar 72(145)
FIFTY for Marnus Labuschagne! A good knock and this has been a result to the fight he has shown. The right-hander has worked hard in this innings and is seemingly returning to form.
We are back with the post-tea session and Steve Smith along with Marnus Labuschagne will look to continue the good work they have done so far. Labuschagne has spent a considerable amount of time on this pitch now and will look to lead the charge.
Australia will be very happy with their position in this Test match as they head into tea with the scoreboard reading 176/2. Marnus Labuschagne has looked assured while Steve Smith has been relatively new to the crease. Australia are clearly on top and India will need to have a good last session here.
Steve Smith, centurion in Brisbane, has joined Marnus Labuschagne at the crease and the two right-handers will ideally want to ensure that Australia do not lose any more wickets. India on the other hand, will want to dismiss both these batters to bounce back on this track which has gotten easier to bat on.
India National Cricket Team vs Australia National Cricket Team Live Score Updates: After the India national Cricket Team won the first Test in the BGT 2024-25 series, the Australia national cricket team has shown dominance in the next two matches, winning one of them. The series is tied at a game apiece and the India vs Australia 4th Test will be played in Melbourne on Boxing Day (December 26). The fourth Test holds immense importance in the series at the moment as if India registers a win at MCG, the side could retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and push their claim for the WTC finals. If Australia wins the match, they will also push their claim for the WTC Final against South Africa, keeping the series against India alive. IND vs AUS 4th Test 2024: India Prepare for Boxing-Day Test at Melbourne With WTC 2025 Final in Line.
Both sides have made some changes in their squad for the match with Scot Boland replacing injured Hazlewood in the Australian squad and Tarun Kotian called up by India, taking the place of retired Ravi Ashwin. The Australian side also worked hard on in-form batter Travis Head’s injury and included him in the squad for the fourth Test against India.
Australia historically has an edge in the Boxing Day Test matches winning 26 matches at MCG against various opponents. India managed to win two and drew two Tests on Boxing Day against Australia, while the hosts won five matches. Interestingly India’s both wins came in the recent Boxing Day Test matches against Australia – in 2018 and 2020 and the side will look to replicate the similar performance at Melbourne Cricket Ground. IND vs AUS 4th Test 2024 Preview: Likely Playing XIs, Key Battles, H2H and More About India vs Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy Match in Melbourne.
IND vs AUS 4th Test 2024 Squad:
India National Cricket Team: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sarfaraz Khan, Tanush Kotian, Washington Sundar,
Australia National Cricket Team: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Jhye Richardson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Sean Abbott, Beau Webster
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