AUS 311/6 in 86 Overs (Stumps) | India vs Australia 4th Test 2024 Day 1 Highlights: Sam Konstas Among Star Performers for Australia While Jasprit Bumrah Shines Again on Action-Packed Boxing Day

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.

OUT! A wicket out of nowhere and even Jasprit Bumrah is surprised! The left-hander tried to pull away a short delivery but the ball hit the toe-end of the bat and went straight to KL Rahul who takes a simple catch. India have broken this partnership and it is Jasprit Bumrah again, who has struck. Usman Khawaja c KL Rahul b Jasprit Bumrah 57(121)

Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne have kept the scoreboard ticking with Australia scoring 140 runs while losing just one wicket. The left-hand right-hand combination has worked well and they will now look to make this partnership a really big one. India on the other hand, will be desperate to find a breakthrough.

FIFTY for Usman Khawaja! The left-hander has struck form in the Boxing Day Test and has played a good knock here. Sam Konstas' confidence early on seemed to has had an impact on him as the southpaw notches up his first fifty of the series.

The post-lunch session has begun and we have Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne resume the innings. Both the batters will look to continue Australia's domination in this innings after Sam Konstas' blistering fifty. India on the other hand, will look to take some wickets to bounce back in this contest.

That's lunch on Day 1 and Sam Konstas' blistering innings has put Australia in control here in the IND vs AUS 4th Test at the MCG! The 19-year-old took the attack to the Indian pacers and got himself a 65-ball 60 on Test debut. He kept Australia in front, leaving India with no answers for a good amount of time before Ravindra Jadeja ended his stay at the crease with a straighter delivery. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne were unbeaten at lunch and we are in for two sessions which promise to be exciting as well!

OUT! Ravindra Jadeja has struck and dismissed the exciting Sam Konstas! The right-hander was struck right in front and did not waste time in reviewing the decision as he knew he was plumb. What an entertaining knock it has been and India finally can breathe easy! He walks off to a reception at the MCG! Sam Konstas lbw b Ravindra Jadeja 60(65)

Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja have put Australia on top here in the first 16 overs. The debutant has made the difference with an aggressive fifty and Usman Khawaja also has started to find his feet. India meanwhile, have also had one over by Ravindra Jadeja and a wicket is what they will desperately want at this stage.

FIFTY for Sam Konstas on Test debut! What a performance it has been as he has put off the Indian bowling with an array of aggressive shots! He has entertained everyone at the MCG so far and will look to make it a big one.

After playing and missing a couple of times earlier, Sam Konstas has finally connected with the scoop and the reverse scoop. He has struck Jasprit Bumrah for three boundaries in the seventh over and the crowd absolutely loved those shots. A brave effort to take on Jasprit Bumrah with unorthodox shots, on his Test debut!

Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas have had a nervous start. While Usman Khawaja survived an lbw appeal and also got a streaky boundary, Sam Konstas has tried a couple of audacious reverse hits off Jasprit Bumrah's bowling but has missed on both occasions.