AUS vs IND 2024/25, AUS vs IND 4th Test Match Preview

Big picture: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is at stake

That’s big. If India wins at the MCG, they will retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. If Australia win they will stay on course for their first series victory over India in a decade. A defeat for the home team would raise significant questions. Should India lose, India’s fate in the World Test Championship (WTC) will not be in their hands, even if winning the series title is still possible. With a good prediction, a draw would be an unlikely outcome, especially given the stadium’s recent history. And whatever happens on Boxing Day could take place in front of more than 90,000 spectators.

It’s only six days since the wet end of proceedings at the Gabba, but a lot has happened. If you didn’t know the result, it might look like India are ahead as Australia at the top of the order were forced into a change to counterattack Jasprit Bumrah. It means 19-year-old Sam Konstas is set to make an exceptional debut after just 11 first-class games.

But it was also a strange few days for the visitors. Virat Kohli had an altercation with a reporter at Melbourne airport; Ravindra Jadeja answered questions at a press conference in Hindi only, which angered some people; and there was evidence of a conspiracy when India were given used pitches for training at the MCG.

Meanwhile, on the important things, they are still trying to find enough support for Bumrah and more runs from a failed top order. India don’t seem to be able to change much in terms of personnel in the batting order, instead they are hoping that someone can follow KL Rahul’s example.

Not much real cricket was played in the last two Tests: Adelaide was just over an hour into day three and rain was a constant threat in Brisbane. But since Perth Australia has dominated. Still, the score is 1-1 and there isn’t much room for a bad day.

Australia’s top order remains under scrutiny with calls to drop Nathan McSweeney in favor of Konstas at such a crucial moment in the series, while senior batters Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne remain low on runs. Travis Head, who picked up a four-pointer in Brisbane but is good to go again, changed the game, while Steven Smith’s hundred was timely and he played very fluidly at the end.

The fact that Scott Boland can get back into action at a pitch where he has had so much success (led by his 6 for 7 against England in 2021/22) shows the pace bowling depth Australia has. Perhaps that is exactly what makes the difference, although Bumrah can almost win it single-handedly for India, who have not lost a Test at the MCG since 2011.

Form Guide

(last five completed games, most recent first)
Australia DWLWW
India DLWLL

In the spotlight: Usman Khawaja and Virat Kohli

Usman Khawaja is nearing the end of his poorest testing year since 2013 (when he averaged 19.00 in just three games). In 2024, he has a return of 337 runs on 7/24, including just one fifty. However, the Australian camp’s view is that he is more likely to be out of runs than out of form, similar to Smith before his Gabba century. Khawaja has spoken of having next year’s Ashes on his radar and potentially reaching the SCG target point in just over 12 months, but whether he gets there could depend on the next two Tests and the Sri Lanka series.

There was a great Indian retirement in this series. And rumors are swirling about who might be next. Virat Kohli ended a century-long drought with his second innings in Perth, but at the moment it looks like a blip, with a pattern to his dismissals apart from that – him pushing hard for the ball outside off stump. In Brisbane he wanted to achieve a particularly long throw. In 2014, he enjoyed a spectacular Test at the MCG with 169 and 54, then in 2018, as captain, he made an industrious 82, laying the foundation for a famous victory that ultimately decided the series. He missed 2020 when India won again. What will 2024 bring?

Team news: Konstas debut, Boland back; India’s balance question

Konstas’ debut was confirmed on Christmas Eve, while Boland will return in place of the injured Josh Hazlewood. Head passed a fitness test on Christmas Day after emerging from the Gabba with a quadriceps strain.

Australia: 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Sam Konstas, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Alex Carey (Week), 8 Pat Cummins (Capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Scott Boland

Rohit Sharma’s batting position remains a hot topic and he did not confirm where he will position himself before the game, but it seems unlikely that India will break up the opening pair. The other important debate is what to do at No. 8: stick with Nitesh Kumar Reddy, go for another fast specialist (which would lengthen the tail) or play Washington Sundar as an alternative all-rounder and go for a 3:2 ratio of Speed and spin decide?

India (possible): 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Rishabh Pant (Week), 6 Rohit Sharma (Capt), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Nitesh Kumar Reddy/Washington Sundar, 9 Akash Deep, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed Siraj

Pitch and Conditions: Sizzling temperatures on Boxing Day

The MCG pitch, which has become a goldmine for the Quicks, was in focus. Curator Matt Page said he would follow the formula that has been successful in recent seasons and leave about 6mm of grass on the surface. Australia coach Andrew McDonald said it is usually a surface where you bowl first but this time it could be different. The forecast for a hot opening day, where temperatures could reach 40 degrees Celsius, could cause the pitch to accelerate earlier than normal. There may be showers on the second day, but otherwise the forecast is good and temperatures will be more pleasant from the third day onwards.

Statistics and interesting facts

Bumrah needs six wickets for 200 Tests. If he makes it at the MCG, he would be the second fastest for India in his 44th Test behind R Ashwin

Since the 2018/19 season, six Test centuries have been scored at the MCG – the lowest of any Australian venue to host more than a single match

Australia’s current average from the top three is its lowest ever in a home series of at least three Tests (Note: Includes Pat Cummins as nightwatchman in Perth).

Quotes

“Every game starts from the beginning… different teams, different structures. I think both teams have similar challenges at the moment. How do you find runs? Both bowling attacks were at the forefront. I don’t really believe in history repeating itself.”
Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald I haven’t read much about the results of this past Boxing Day

“If I had to assume after three friendlies that it was a single game, it is a good reflection of the performance of both teams. Both teams played solid cricket.”
Rohit Sharma about the status of the series

Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo

Big picture: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is at stake

Form Guide

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