Category: Cricket

India and Australia will lock horns one last time in the thrilling Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in the fifth test match of the series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). With the series lead 2-1 in favor of the hosts, there is still a lot to play for in the match.

India cricket team was handed a crushing 184-run defeat in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. They must regroup to draw the series 2-2 level and retain the BGT trophy. Moreover, the match result holds immense significance for India’s likelihood of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final.

India vs Australia 5th Test Match Details

Date: 3 January 2024

Start Time: Starts at 5:00 AM IST; Toss at 4:30 AM IST

Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)

TV Broadcaster in India: Star Sports Network

Live Streaming in India: Disney+ Hotstar

India at the SCG

India’s test record at the SCG is not great, but the tourists can draw inspiration from some inspired past performances. In 13 Tests played at the SCG, India has only a solitary win to show. The only win for Team India at this venue came in 1978. 

India’s SCG Record

Matches	13
Wins	1
Losses	5
Draws	7
Highest Total	705/7 declared (2004)
Lowest Total	150 all out (2000)

Related India’s Top 10 Sports Trends in 2024

Player Stats

Highest Individual Score	Sachin Tendulkar’s 241* in 2004
Most Runs (Overall)	Sachin Tendulkar – 785 runs in 9 innings
Most Runs (Current Player)	Rishabh Pant – 292 runs in 3 innings
Best Bowling Innings	Anil Kumble – 8/141 in 2004
Best Bowling Match	Anil Kumble – 12/279 in 2004

India Recent Results at the SCG

Team	Result	Margin of Result	Start Date
India	draw	–	7 Jan 2021
India	draw	–	3 Jan 2019
India	draw	–	6 Jan 2015
India	lost	inns & 68 runs	3 Jan 2012
India	lost	122 runs	2 Jan 2008

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Australia at the SCG

Australia enjoys an exceptional record at the Sydeny Cricket Ground (SCG) in test cricket. In 112 matches played at the iconic ground, the Aussie have won 67, lost 32, and drawn 17. 

Australia’s SCG Record

Matches	112
Won	61
Lost	28
Drawn	23
Won Batting First	28
Won Batting Second	33
Highest Total	659/4 Declared vs India in 2012
Lowest Total	42 All Out vs England in 1888

Player Stats

Category	Record Holder	Score/Wickets
Highest Individual Score	Michael Clarke	329*
Most Runs (Overall)	Ricky Ponting	1480 runs
Most Runs (Current)	Steve Smith	1059 runs
Most Wickets (Overall)	Shane Warne	64 wickets
Most Wickets (Current)	Nathan Lyon	48 wickets

Australia Recent Results at the SCG

Year	Match	Result
2024	Australia vs Pakistan	AUS won by 8 wickets
2023	Australia vs South Africa	Match drawn
2023	Australia vs England	Match drawn
2021	Australia vs India	Match drawn
2020	Australia vs New Zealand	AUS won by 279 runs

Related Top 10 Performances by Indian Cricketers in BGT Trophy

India’s Probable XI

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal: India’s leading run-scorer this series with 359 runs at an average of 51. 
2. Rohit Sharma (C): Rohit Sharma has struggled for form but will keep his place at the top of the batting order.
3. KL Rahul: KL Rahul has had a successful stint at the top of the batting order but he will continue to bat No. 3.
4. Virat Kohli: Virat Kohli has scored a hundred in the series and would look to add another in this IND vs AUS test.
5. Rishabh Pant (wk): Rishabh Pant has memorable performances at this venue – 159* in 2019 and 97 in 2021. 
6. Ravindra Jadeja: The experienced all-rounder is likely to keep his place in the side despite modest performances in the BGT series so far.
7. Nitish Kumar Reddy: Nitish has been a consistent performer with the bat lower down the order and would be brimming with confidence heading into the Sydney test.
8. Washington Sundar: Washington Sundar has shown value with both bat and ball.
9. Akash Deep: Akash Deep can play as the third seamer for Team India.
10. Jasprit Bumrah: With 30 wickets at an average of 12.83 in the bag, Jasprit Bumrah would look to another match-winning performance here.
11. Mohammed Siraj: Siraj has had a mixed bag on the tour so far but with limited options, he will be India’s second seam bowler.

Related The Best Border-Gavaskar Matches of All Time

Australia’s Probable XI

1. Sam Konstas: The youngster impressed everyone with his fearless approach on debut and is one to watch out for here.
2. Usman Khawaja: Usman Khawaja has had an average series but he would look to draw confidence from a stellar record at this venue. 
3. Marnus Labuschagne: Marnus Labuschagne looked in good touch in the last match and would look to build on the recent return in form.
4. Steve Smith: Steve Smith the in-form Aussie batsman and would look to cash in at his home ground.
5. Travis Head: India’s nemesis in recent years, Head is the leading run-scorer in the BGT 2024-25 series with 443 runs at a batting average of 58. 
6. Mitchell Marsh: Mitchell Marsh has not had the best of series but would keep his place in the side for the balance he provides to the XI.
7. Alex Carey (wk): Alex Carey has been reliable with the gloves and has put in some vital performances. 
8. Pat Cummins (C): Pat Cummins has led from the front, contributing with both ball and lower down the batting order.
9. Mitchell Starc/Jhye Richardson: There is a question mark over Mitchell Starc’s fitness and if deemed unfit, Jhye Richardson or Sean Abbott is likely to come in.
10. Nathan Lyon: Nathan Lyon is Australia’s most successful bowler at the SCG and would look to exploit bowling conditions.
11. Scott Boland: Scott Boland has not let Aussie miss Josh Hazlewood and remains as big a threat for the tourists.

How Can India Qualify for the World Test Championship Final?

India’s road to the World Test Championship (WTC) final is still open. For India to secure their place in the WTC 2025 final at Lord’s, the team must secure a win in the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. At the same time, India would root for Sri Lanka to defeat Australia in their upcoming series so that Australia drops WTC points for India to move up the WTC points table.

The stage is set for the high-stakes encounter! With pride to salvage and a spot in the WTC final to secure, expect a hard-fought battle between the two evenly matched teams at the SCG. 

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What a game of Test cricket India vs Australia 4th Test at MCG turned out to be! In the end, it was Australia delivering a thrilling win and seizing the final day to clinch the match. After the fourth test of India’s tour of Australia 2024-25, the hosts AUS take a 2-1 lead in the series.

On the fifth and final day, cricket fans were glued to their seats as India battled out of their skins to save the match. However, Indian resistance fell apart after the team as they lost seven wickets for just 34 runs to concede the test match.

Melbourne Test was a great advertisement for test cricket as it produced a rollercoaster matchup between the two evenly matched sides, with both battling fiercely over five days.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be on the line in the fifth test match of the series at Sydney Cricket Ground, starting on 3 January 2025. Australia has not won a Test series against India in a decade, and they would fancy their chances with winning momentum on their side. With everything to play for both sides, expect a thriller finale to the BGT.

Brief scorecard of IND vs AUS 4th Test, India’s tour of Australia 2024-25

AUS 474 (Steven Smith 140, Jasprit Bumrah 4/99) & 234 (Marnus Labuschange 70, Jasprit Bumrah 5/57) 

IND 369 (Nitish Reddy 114, Scott Boland 3/57) & 155 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 84, Pat Cummins 3/28)

Match result – Australia won by 184 runs

Related Top 10 Performances by Indian Cricketers in BGT Trophy

Top 5 performances in AUS vs IND 4th Test at MCG

1. Pat Cummins: What an inspired performance from the Aussie captain, with both bat and bowl! Pat Cummins led from the front with 6 wickets in the match and handy batting exploits (49 & 41).
2. Steve Smith: One of the best test batsmen of this generation, Steven Smith set the game up for the hosts with a swashbuckling 140 in the first innings. It was his efforts that helped Australia dismantle the Indian spirit posting a mammoth 474.
3. Jasprit Bumrah: The Indian fast bowler is built differently. Match after match in BGT 2024-25, Jasprit Bumrah has produced fantastic performances. His nine-wicket haul in the match (4/99 & 5/57) will go down as one of the best performances by touring fast bowlers in Australia. With three 5-fers, Jasprit Bumrah now has 30 wickets in the series so far (second best is 20).
4. Nitish Reddy: Nitish Reddy has emerged as the find of India’s tour of Australia 2024-25 for the Indian National Cricket Team. He backed his performances so far in the series with a maiden test hundred that will be remembered for ages.
5. Yashasvi Jaiswal: The Indian opening batsman, Yashasvi Jaiswal had the most run aggregate in the match (82 & 84). He is now second on the most runs in the BGT 2024-25 tally, with 359 runs at a batting average of 51.29.

Related The Best Border-Gavaskar Matches of All Time

India vs Australia 4th Test Post Match Reactions

Pat Cummins (Australia captain and Player of the Match): What an amazing Test match, one of the best to be part of, the crowd has been ridiculous and cricket has been just as good, pretty happy change room at the moment, pretty happy to contribute. Marnus helped me out in the second innings big time, never really know what you going to get with our batting, fortunately it came off in this game. Happy to contribute, amazing innings from Smith to hold the first innings together. Getting more than 400 in the first innings set the game for us. You always think anything can happen. We bowled well in the first session to have them 3/30. They batted well in the middle session. We knew that we had to get one breakthrough and anything can happen and that proved to be the case. We had plenty of runs to play with, we had plenty of fielders with the helmet around. We talk about a lot about us as a lower order, we put a lot of work into it. We know it can be the difference in a lot of Test matches and we work on ourselves a lot, to try and contribute a few more runs. (On whose idea was to give Head a bowl right after Tea) I give the coach the credit for that one, we were also behind on the over-rate so we thought let’s get Travis in there and he might get a breakthrough. (On Smith’s knock in the first innings) Amazing, it wasn’t an easy wicket, he showed how to bat on it. He got an opportunity and he pounced and really upped the ante with the tailenders. He also took some catches which often go unnoticed. We are really happy with the way we played, we will savour this one before we head on to Sydney.

Rohit Sharma (India captain): Pretty disappointing. Not that we went with the intent of not putting up a fight, we wanted to fight till the end but unfortunately couldn’t do it. It will be tough to assess just the last session. We have to look at the overall Test match, we had our opportunities, we had our chances, but we didn’t take them and we let Australia come back into the game when we had them 90/6. I know things can get difficult but that is what we are here for, we wanted to be in tough situations and play hard cricket, I just don’t want to look at one incident in the game. I went back to my room and thought about it, what else we could have done as a team but we tried everything we could, we threw everything we had but they fought hard with the last wicket partnership, we had our chances and we didn’t grab them, probably cost us the game little bit there. We know 340 wasn’t going to be easy for us. We tried everything we could, if we have wickets in the final two sessions then we could go for the target, but they bowled really well. We wanted to set the platform but that didn’t happen. There are ways to win games and we are falling short. He (Nitish Reddy) is coming here for the first time, these conditions can get tough but he has shown lot of character and fight, showed solid technique as well. He has bright future ahead of him and he has all the skills to be successful. We know the quality of him, we have been watching him for a number of years now, coming here and getting the job done for the team, he is not a statistical person, wants to just come out there and play for the country, that is what he has been doing on this tour, unfortunately he needs little more support from the other side as well. The way he has managed himself is outstanding.

Related Top 5 Test Matches Between India and Australia (in the 21st Century)

Can India qualify for World Test Championship final?

Yes, India can still qualify for the World Test Championship final. However, the equation is a lot tougher after the defeat in AUS vs IND 4th test. To qualify for the WTC final 2025, India must win the fifth test of BGT 2025 at Sydney. In the event of a loss or draw in Sydney, their WTC hopes will finish. Moreover, they would root for Sri Lanka to beat Australia at least 1-0 to keep their WTC final hopes alive. 

Meanwhile, Australia’s strengthened their case to play the World Test Championship final 2025 at Lord’s. With South Africa already securing their spot, there is only one spot vacant for either India or Australia to grab. 

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The fourth test (Boxing Day Test) of the India-Australia Test series starts on 26 December 2024 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. And, the fans can’t wait!

There is no dearth of entertainment in the BGT 2024-25 series thus far which remains tied at 1-1 after a drawn third test match in Brisbane.

Indian Cricket Team made a strong start to India’s tour of Australia 2024-25 after a resounding win in the first test match at Perth. However, the hosts came back and avenged the loss in the second test at Adelaide.

With this edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy evenly poised, let’s get right into an in-depth Australia vs India 4th test preview, prediction, and what to expect from the MCG test.

Match Details

Fixture: India vs Australia 4th Test Match of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 

Start Date: 26 December 2024 (Thursday)

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Melbourne Pitch Report and Bowling Conditions

The MCG pitch is known to offer a good balance for an even contest between the bat and the ball. The quicks get bowling assistance at the start of the match. Thereafter, batters have their time as the stroke-making gets easy. In the later part of the match, the pitch does offer some help to the spin bowlers. In a nutshell, the surface has something for everyone out there.

Last Test Match result at Melbourne Cricket Ground

Australia 318 & 262 beat Pakistan (Target: 317) 264 & 237 by 79 runs

MCG records and stats

Total Matches	117
Matches won batting first	57
Matches won bowling first	42
Average 1st innings Score	307
Average 2nd innings Score	312
Average 3rd innings Score	252
Average 4th innings Score	172
Highest total recorded	624/8 – AUS vs PAK
Lowest total recorded	36/10 – SA vs AUS
Highest score chased	332/7 – ENG vs AUS
Lowest score defended	83/10 – AUS vs IND

Related Top 10 Performances by Indian Cricketers in BGT Trophy

India Playing XI, Expected Changes and Team Analysis 

India did well in patches in the third test but the performances of most of the players have been underwhelming in the last two test matches. The batting looked vulnerable with only KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja getting among the runs in the last test match. However, the Indian side is likely to remain unchanged but can bring Washington Sundar for Mohammed Siraj or Akash Deep since the surface may offer help for slow bowlers later in the game.

Probable India Playing XI for the fourth Test

1. KL Rahul
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Shubman Gill
4. Virat Kohli
5. Rishabh Pant
6. Rohit Sharma
7. Nitish Reddy
8. Ravindra Jadeja
9. Washington Sundar
10. Akash Deep/Mohammed Siraj
11. Jasprit Bumrah

Related Top 10 Performances by Indian Cricketers in BGT Trophy

Australia Playing XI, Expected Changes and Team Analysis 

Barring the first test match of the BGT 2024-25 series, Australia has done well in both batting and bowling departments. Except for the opening combination, batters have made valuable contributions. In the bowling department, the trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood have been too hot to handle for the tourists of late. The lineup looks balanced and they would want to stick to the same XI unless there is a forced change.

There is not much clarity on Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head’s availability for the fourth test as of now.

Probable Australia Playing XI for fourth Test

1. Nathan McSweeney
2. Usman Khawaja
3. Marnus Labuschagne
4. Steve Smith
5. Travis Head
6. Mitchell Marsh
7. Alex Carey (wk)
8. Pat Cummins (c)
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Josh Hazlewood/Scott Boland
11. Nathan Lyon

5 Players to Watch Out For in IND vs AUS 4th Test

1. Jasprit Bumrah (India): Jasprit Bumrah has been a standout performer with 21 wickets in 3 matches. The Indian fast bowler has proved again why he is the best all format bowler going around.
2. Mitchell Starc (Australia): Mitchell Starc is bowling at great pace and with excellent control. He has challenged Indian batsmen the most in BGT 2024-25. The Australian bowler has 14 wickets so far in the series, the most by an Australian bowler.
3. Yashasvi Jaiswal (India): The Indian opening batsman has been the best batsman for Men in Blue in 2024. Yashasvi Jaiswal would be kicking himself with the dismal performances in the last two outings but can make amends with a strong performance. 
4. Pat Cummins (Australia): The Australian captain is bowling with venom and can be a threat at MCG again. In his last 10 test matches, Pat Cummins has 44 wickets in the bag.
5. Travis Head (Australia): Travis Head has given Indian bowlers and fans a headache in all three matches so far. The aggressive left hander has racked 400+ runs in the series so far. 

Related The Indian Players Who’ve Shone on Australian Soil: Border-Gavaskar Trophy Legends

Most Runs in BGT 2024-25

Player	Runs	HS	Ave	SR	100	50	0
Travis Head (AUS)	409	152	81.80	94.23	2	1	–
KL Rahul (IND)	235	84	47.00	50.00	–	2	–
Yashasvi Jaiswal (IND)	193	161	38.60	55.94	1	–	2
Nitish Kumar Reddy (IND)	179	42	44.75	72.17	–	–	–
Alex Carey (AUS)	162	70	40.50	70.74	–	1	–

Most Wickets in BGT 2024-25

Player	Overs	Runs	Wickets	Best Figures	Bowling Average	Economy	SR	4	5
Jasprit Bumrah (IND)	88.0	229	21	6/76	10.90	2.60	25.14	1	2
Mitchell Starc (AUS)	90.2	320	14	6/48	22.85	3.54	38.71	–	1
Pat Cummins (AUS)	89.4	336	14	5/57	24.00	3.74	38.42	1	1
Mohammed Siraj (IND)	83.1	311	13	4/98	23.92	3.73	38.38	1	–
Josh Hazlewood (AUS)	40.0	79	6	4/29	13.16	1.97	40.00	1	–

India vs Australia 4th Test Winner Prediction 

Looking at the form of the two teams, Australia looks more assured and strong. But, that doesn’t mean Aussies are favourites to win Australia vs India fourth Test at the MCG.

India has been battered and bruised! However, the Men in Blue have playing conditions that suit their style more than the hosts.

The fourth test will put forth a battle for the ages for sure with evenly matched sides locking horns with one eye on the series and the other on WTC final qualification. 

Where to watch India vs Australia 4th Test Match Live?

Stay tuned for Boxing Day Test live match updates. Catch the India vs Australia match live on TV on Star Sports Network TV channels. For those who are looking for online and live streaming options, download the Disney+ Hotstar app to enjoy the coverage.

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India vs Australia 3rd Test match at the Gabba in Brisbane ended in a draw due to relentless rain over the course of five days.

India was set a 275-run target on the last day and fans were glued to their seats awaiting an exciting finish. Rain played spoilsport once again on the final day of the Brisbane Test match of the five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, and the series still stands at 1-1.

India were on the backfoot for the most part of the match but made a sensational comeback on Day 4 to avoid a follow on first and later pegged Australians back with a top bowling effort. The hosts declared their second innings at 89/7 after 18 overs and setting a target for India with 50 overs remaining. 

The Indian Cricket Team will be pleased with the result, as the draw means that the series remains alive. The remainder of the test matches will be held in Sydney and Melbourne, with conditions slightly better for the touring Indian side to win the series. 

For now, the BGT Series is evenly poised, and there is a lot to play for. 

Brief Scorecard:

AUS 445 (Travis Head 152, Steve Smith 101 Jasprit Bumrah 6/76) & 89/7 d (Jasprit Bumrah 3/18)

IND 260 (KL Rahul 84, Ravindra Jadeja 77, Pat Cummins 4/81) & 8/0

Result – Match drawn

Let’s now look at the notable performances from the IND vs AUS third test.

Related The Rivalry Unfolded: India vs Australia in Numbers

AUS vs IND 3rd Test Key Performances

From the Indian Cricket Team’s point of view, the performances were not up to the mark barring a few individual performances. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were good with the bat to lead India’s resistance in the first innings but the team total was nowhere close to Australia’s 445. However, India will be pleased with the fight the lower batting order had put to avoid the follow on.

With the ball, Jasprit Bumrah was the lone ranger in the first innings with a 6-fer. In the second innings with the ball, Bumrah received good support from Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. 

Australia, on the other hand, were excellent with the bat in their first innings after being put into bat by the tourists. Two of their batsmen – Travis Head and Steve Smith – scored hundreds and punished Indian bowlers. They ended with a total of 445 to set up the game.

In the bowling department, the experienced duo of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were on the money. At one point, India was staring at a follow on but the tail wagged to save the embarrassment for the Indian Cricket Team.

There were plenty of positives from the game for the Aussies than the tourists. If it was not for the rain, India would have suffered a hammering.

Related Best Border-Gavaskar Matches of All Time

Can India qualify for the World Test Championship Final?

India’s third Test against Australia ended in a draw, making the India cricket team’s path to the World Test Championship (WTC) Final a bit complicated. To qualify for the WTC final, the Indian National Cricket Team must win both remaining matches. If they win the ongoing IND vs AUS test series 2-1, Sri Lanka must beat Australia 1-0 or draw 1-1. In the event of a 2-2 series result in BGT 2024-25, India can still make it if Sri Lanka wins 2-0 against Australia or Pakistan to beat South Africa 2-0.

WTC Points Table after IND vs AUS 3rd Test

Position	Team	Matches				Points Played	Points	PCT
		P	W	L	D
1	South Africa	10	6	3	1	120	76	63.33
2	Australia	15	9	4	2	180	106	58.88
3	India	17	9	6	2	204	114	55.88
4	New Zealand	14	7	7	0	168	81	48.21
5	Sri Lanka	11	5	6	0	132	60	45.45
6	England	22	11	10	1	264	114	43.18
7	Pakistan	10	4	6	0	120	40	33.33
8	Bangladesh (E)	12	4	8	0	144	45	31.25
9	West Indies (E)	11	2	7	2	132	32	24.24

Post-match Reactions

Rohit Sharma (India Captain): I mean, we will take that. Obviously to have interruptions like that wasn’t great, but going to Melbourne at 1-1 pretty much gives us that confidence to go out there and pull things towards us. The situation we were in just after lunch (on Day 4), needed someone to stand up and take us through, we knew with the weather, we knew it wasn’t going to be a full game. Credit to Jadeja, the way he played, and Rahul, the way he played was magnificent at the top of the order. the fight that Akash Deep and Bumrah was great to watch, we have seen them work so hard at the nets (on their batting). Coming to the bowling, Bumrah was outstanding, Akash Deep is a feisty cricketer, always wants to be involved in the game, very new to international cricket, he has worked hard at the nets, still new to international cricket, but he has put in the hard yards, there are people in the group to put their hand across and help him going forward. As he showed with the bat, these are the sort of characters we needed in the team.

Pat Cummins (Australia Captain): Would be better to be 2-1, lot of rain, nothing we can do about it. We set a huge total and felt like we were right ahead of the game throughout. Poor Josh (Hazlewood), one of those things, few rain breaks probably helped, Starc and I were able to push through. Day 5 here can be up and down, there wasn’t much cricket played on it, felt challenging when the ball was new and hard. Smith and Head’s innings’ were fantastic, Alex Carey too. Lyon looked really good, Starc got wickets, just about ticked off every box. (On the full-house expected at the MCG on boxing-day) That will be amazing, one of those things here in Australia that you wake up and can’t wait for.

Travis Head (Player of the Match): Feels like I batted quite a while ago to be honest. Happy to contribute, nice to get some runs and set us up in the first innings. Challenging wicket, worked through the gears well, pleased I was able to get through and set the team up. Was trying to sum up the conditions, feel like I’ve done that well in this series so far, very happy with the tempo I’m batting with. Pretty relaxed communication, feel like he (Smith) was in great rhythm, gives me great confidence when batting with him, was a nice partnership, really enjoyed it. When I first get out there, I try and navigate different challenges, solve different problems. Just a little sore but I should be fine (before the next game).

Related Top 10 Performances by Indian Cricketers in BGT Trophy

India vs Australia Test Series 2024 Results

Match No.	Match Details	Venue	Date	Time (IST)	Result
1	India vs Australia,	Perth Stadium, Perth	Nov 22-26	7:50 AM	India won by 295 runs
2	India vs Australia, 2nd Test	Adelaide Oval, Adelaide	Dec 06-10	9:30 AM	Australia won by 10 wkts
3	Australia vs India, 3rd Test	The Gabba, Brisbane	Dec 14-18	5:50 AM	Match drawn
4	Australia vs India, 4th Test	Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne	Dec 26-30	5:00 AM	Match starts on Dec 26
5	Australia vs India, 5th Test	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney	Jan 03-07	5:00 AM	Match starts on Jan 03

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Cricket fans can’t wait for India vs Australia 3rd Test to get underway! We are in for a treat as the high-octane third test of the India-Australia Test series starts on 14 December at the Gabba, Brisbane.

The BGT 2024-25 series is tied at 1-1 after hosts Aussies made a strong statement with a 10-wicket win in the second match of the five-test series.

Without any further ado, let’s get right into an in-depth Australia vs India third test preview, prediction, and what to expect from the Gabba test.

Match Details

Fixture: India vs Australia 3rd Test Match of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 

Start Date: 14 December 2024 (Saturday)

Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane

Match Time: First Session: 5:50 AM IST to 7:50 AM IST, Lunch Break: 7:50 AM IST to 8:30 AM IST, Second Session: 8:30 AM IST to 10:30 AM IST, Tea Break: 10:30 AM IST to 10:50 AM IST and Third Session: 10:50 AM IST to 12:50 PM IST

Pitch Report and Bowling Conditions

The Gabba pitch in Brisbane has a reputation for being fast and full of bounce. The chief curator of the venue has hinted that it is just the start of the season and the surface will be spicy. That being said, a challenging test match awaits for the batters. The bowling conditions will suit fast bowlers.

Related Top 10 Performances by Indian Cricketers in BGT Trophy

India Playing XI, Expected Changes and Team Analysis 

India will be under tremendous pressure after a humiliating defeat in the Perth Test and a lot to prove. The onus will be on top 5-6 batsmen to come good. Another misfiring batting performance could push them out of the World Championship final 2023-25 race.

The senior batsmen – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – must step up for the visitors to put up a fight and battle the odds stacked in favor of Australia’s fiery bowling attack. Besides, others need to chip in as well to put on a total.

A few changes are expected in India’s Playing XI – like R Ashwin who struggled with injury concerns in the last match. Also, there is a chance that Akash Deep may get the nod over Harshit Rana for the Brisbane Test. 

Probable India Playing XI for Brisbane Test

1. KL Rahul
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Shubman Gill
4. Virat Kohli
5. Rishabh Pant
6. Rohit Sharma
7. Nitish Reddy
8. Ravindra Jadeja/Washington Sundar
9. Akash Deep/Harshit Rana
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Mohammed Siraj

Related 3rd Test IND vs AUS: 3 Changes India Should Make to Return to Winning Ways

Australia Playing XI, Expected Changes and Team Analysis 

Australia would be brimming with confidence after a mauling in the last test. With bowling conditions to their advantage and the batting order looking better than their counterparts, Australia would look to cash in on the winning momentum.

There is not much clarity on Josh Hazlewood’s availability for the third test for now. However, Aussies won’t be too fussed after the replacement Scott Boland’s clinical performance. Barring the Hazlewood-Boland swap, the hosts are likely to go in with the same team.

Probable Australia Playing XI for Brisbane Test

1. Nathan McSweeney
2. Usman Khawaja
3. Marnus Labuschagne
4. Steve Smith
5. Travis Head
6. Mitchell Marsh
7. Alex Carey (wk)
8. Pat Cummins (c)
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Josh Hazlewood/Scott Boland
11. Nathan Lyon

Related 5 Young Guns to Watch in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025

5 Players to Watch Out For

1. Jasprit Bumrah (India): Jasprit Bumrah has had a terrific series so far. The premier bowler could once again be the difference between the two sides. The fast bowler has troubled the hosts, with 12 wickets at an astounding bowling average of 11.25.
2. Virat Kohli (India): Virat Kohl thrives under pressure. Back King Kohli to come good with India looking up to senior batsmen after a dismal batting performance in the last game. The run machine Virat Kohli has scored 123 runs so far in the series at a batting average of 41.
3. Steve Smith (Australia): Steve Smith is a prolific run-getter in Test cricket. He has had a quiet series (19 runs at a batting average of 6.33) thus far but a quality player like him can’t remain silent for long. He is due for runs. 
4. Mitchell Starc (Australia): Mitchell Starc is bowling with great control and was one of the architects of Aussie win in the second test. With pace and bounce on offer at the Gabba pitch, the left-arm fast bowler could be too hot to handle. He is the leading wicket-taker in the series for the hosts with 11 wickets in 2 matches.
5. Yashasvi Jaiswal (India): The Indian opener is the best batsman for his side in 2024. After a superb ton in the first test, he showcased what he brings to the table. Jaiswal has 185 runs in the series so far at an average of 46.25.

Related The Indian Players Who’ve Shone on Australian Soil: Border-Gavaskar Trophy Legends

Which team is the favorite to win the 3rd Test at the Gabba?

For sure, the India vs Australia 3rd Test at the Gabba is going to be full of exciting cricket and edge-of-the-seat entertainment. Who holds the edge in the third test?

Australia is slightly in front with a more potent bowling attack, bowling conditions, and a winning momentum. 

For India to do well and come out on top, the biggest challenge would be negating the bowling conditions to neutralize their counterparts. Don’t rule India out just yet! India came out victorious in their last test match at the Gabba and can do it again with the right mindset.

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India lock horns against Australia in the third Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Gabba in Brisbane, starting on 14 December 2024. The Gabba is one of the most successful venues in Test Cricket for the Australian Cricket Team. India comes into the test on the back of thumping defeat have an uphill task at their hands. 

Indian National Cricket Team gears up for the high-octane WTC fixture with a lot at stake looking ahead to the World Test Championship final. Here’s a look at how challenging pitch conditions will be, records of Australia and India at the venue, and stats.

India’s Record at Gabba

The Gabba has been a challenging Test venue for almost all touring nations and it’s the same for the Indian Cricket Team. 

Team India has played seven test matches at Brisbane Cricket Ground (Woolloongabba). India has managed just one solitary win here, suffered five defeats, and one match has ended in a draw.

Team	Matches	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	Highest Score	Lowest Score
India	7	1	5	0	1	409	58

Related 3rd Test IND vs AUS: 3 Changes India Should Make to Return to Winning Ways

India’s last match at The Gabba in 2021

This is a silver lining! India’s last match at The Gabba was the fourth Test of the 2020-21 series which remains one of the greatest Indian cricket test wins overseas. 

Against all odds, India was starting at a certain defeat with Aussies setting a daunting target of 328 runs on the final day.

To make matters worse for the Indian team, regular captain Virat Kohli missed out due to personal reasons while the squad was plagued with injuries.

Rishabh Pant’s counterattacking unbeaten 89 came at the right time as India registered their win at The Gabba and also sealed the series 2-1. 

Match Summary: Australia 369 & 294 lost to India 336 & 329/7 (T:328) – 4th Test, Brisbane, January 15 – 19, 2021, India’s tour of Australia 2020-21

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Australia’s Record at The Gabba, Brisbane

Australia loves playing Test Cricket at this venue. In the 66 matches played here, Aussies have won 42 matches, losing only 10. 13 matches have ended in a draw while one has been a tied test.

Team	Matches	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	Highest Score	Lowest Score
Australia	66	42	10	1	13	645	58

Curator provides insight into The Gabba pitch for AUS vs IND 3rd Test

Now that all the focus is on pitch conditions, David Sandurski (the Gabba pitch curator) has shared his thoughts on what to expect in the Australia vs India third test.

Speaking to The West Australian, Sandurski said, “Generally speaking, we still prepare the pitch the exact same way every time to try and get the same good carry, pace, and bounce that the Gabba is known for. We are just trying to make a traditional Gabba wicket like we do each year”.

He stressed the fact that early-season pitch tends to be “fresher” which offers more assistance to bowlers than the ones being played on later in the summer.

This is the reason Australia schedules Test matches at The Gabba before Christmas, as a spicy pitch gives an advantage to their fast bowlers.

Basis these insights, expect the IND vs AUS 3rd Test pitch to be pacy and bouncy. 

The Gabba Brisbane Test Records

Last 5 Test Match Results at The Gabba, Brisbane

Team 1	Team 2	Winner	Margin	Match Date
Australia	West Indies	West Indies	8 runs	Jan 25-28, 2024
Australia	South Africa	Australia	6 wickets	Dec 17-18, 2022
Australia	England	Australia	9 wickets	Dec 8-11, 2021
Australia	India	India	3 wickets	Jan 15-19, 2021
Australia	Pakistan	Australia	inns & 5 runs	Nov 21-24, 2019

Highest Totals in Test at The Gabba, Brisbane

Team	Score	Opposition	Result	Match Date
Australia	645	England	AUS Win	29 Nov 1946
Australia	607/6d	New Zealand	AUS Win	3 Dec 1993
Australia	602/9d	England	AUS Win	23 Nov 2006
Australia	601/8d	England	AUS Win	26 Nov 1954
Australia	585	New Zealand	AUS Win	18 Nov 2004

Lowest Totals in Test at The Gabba, Brisbane

Team	Score	Opposition	Result	Match Date
India	58	Australia	AUS Win	28 Nov 1947
Australia	58	England	ENG Win	4 Dec 1936
New Zealand	76	Australia	AUS Win	18 Nov 2004
England	79	Australia	AUS Win	7 Nov 2002
West Indies	82	Australia	AUS Win	23 Nov 2000

Related The Rivalry Unfolded: India vs Australia in Numbers

Most Runs by Batsman in Test at The Gabba, Brisbane

Player	Matches	Innings	Runs	HS	Batting Average	100	50
Ricky Ponting (AUS)	17	26	1335	196	63.57	4	10
Michael Clarke (AUS)	10	13	1030	259*	103.00	5	2
Gregg Chappell (AUS)	7	11	1006	201	111.77	5	4
David Warner (AUS)	11	19	963	163	56.64	4	2
Steve Waugh (AUS)	17	26	915	147*	41.59	3	5
Mark Taylor (AUS)	10	18	912	164	57.00	2	6
Matthew Hayden (AUS)	9	15	901	197	60.06	4	1
Steve Smith (AUS)	10	17	821	141*	54.73	3	3
Allan Border (AUS)	15	22	779	152*	37.09	3	2
David Boon (AUS)	12	20	750	143	37.50	2	4

Most Wickets by Bowlers in Test at The Gabba, Brisbane

Player	Matches	Wickets	BBI	Ave	SR	4	5	10
Shane Warne (AUS)	11	68	8/71	20.30	48.82	7	3	2
Glenn McGrath (AUS)	13	65	6/17	21.75	49.81	6	4	1
Nathan Lyon (AUS)	13	51	4/69	28.31	60.58	2	–	–
Mitchell Starc (AUS)	11	47	4/52	28.93	49.02	4	–	–
Pat Cummins (AUS)	7	40	6/23	18.22	38.92	2	3	1
Craig McDermott (AUS)	8	40	6/53	22.62	47.17	4	2	–
Josh Hazlewood (AUS)	8	37	5/57	23.75	52.16	1	2	–
Mitchell Johnson (AUS)	7	34	5/39	25.08	44.00	3	2	–
Dennis Lillee (AUS)	6	31	6/53	20.16	37.90	2	2	–
Brett Lee (AUS)	6	29	5/30	21.55	40.96	2	2	–

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The race to the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 (WTC) final is intensifying with each test match. The WTC final qualification scenario keeps changing every day. Here’s a complete analysis of India’s World Test Championship final qualification scenario and what India must do to seal a spot in the WTC final.

Can India Qualify for the WTC Final?

The answer is yes! India is still in contention and can qualify for the 2023-25 World Test Championship final. Currently, India is sitting at the third spot in the WTC points table with a win percentage of 57.29%.

The third position does indicate that Team India has to get to one of the first two positions to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship. It will be a challenge looking at the fixtures ahead but certainly a possibility. India will rely heavily on how they perform in the ongoing AUS vs IND BGT Series and their prowess will tell if they can qualify or not.

Related Indian Players Who’ve Shone on Australian Soil: Border-Gavaskar Trophy Legends

How can India qualify for the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 Final?

1. Winning Two Out of Three Remaining Tests: Every match of the ongoing India vs Australia Test series is like a do-or-die. India must win at least two of the three remaining Tests against Australia if not all three. If the India National Cricket Team manages to win two tests, their win percentage will be 58.77%.
2. Other Results should be favourable: First things first, a 3-2 or 4-1 series win against Australia would consolidate India’s position on the WTC points table. However, there are certain uncontrolables that must go India’s way. The other contenders vying for spots are Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. Their results can impact the final standings.
3. Losing BGT Series 2-3 can still help qualify: In case of a 2-3 BGT 2024-25 series loss, India can still make it to the final. In the event of a 2-3 loss in the Australia vs India Test series, India’s win percentage will drop to 53.51%. India can still make it the basis of several outcomes and permutations like South Africa losing both of their Tests against Pakistan.

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WTC Points Table 

(As of December 10, 2024)

Position	Team	Played	Won	Lost	Draw	Points Deducted	Points	Win Percentage
1	South Africa	10	6	3	1	0	76	63.33
2	Australia	14	9	4	1	10	102	60.71
3	India	16	9	6	1	2	110	57.29
4	Sri Lanka	11	5	6	0	0	60	45.45
5	England	21	11	9	1	22	114	45.24
6	New Zealand	13	6	7	0	3	69	44.23
7	Pakistan	10	4	6	0	8	40	33.33
8	Bangladesh	12	4	8	0	3	45	31.25
9	West Indies	11	2	7	2	0	32	24.24

Points System

12 points for a win

6 points for a tie

4 points for a draw

Teams are ranked according to the percentage of points won

The Top two teams progress to the final at Lord’s in 2025

Point Deductions: Points are deducted for slow over rates

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Besides India, who are the other WTC final contenders?

1. South Africa 

South Africa has comprehensively beaten Sri Lanka at home recently and now sits atop the WTC 2023-25 points table. The clean sweep of the islanders has boosted South Africa’s chances to play the WTC final with a win percentage of 63.33%. 

For SA to qualify, they must win one of the two tests against Pakistan. In case of a 1-1 draw or a 0-2 loss in the series, they will still be in contention. However, the South Africa Cricket Team will give an opportunity for India or Australia to surpass them with strong performances.

Remaining matches: Pakistan (Two Tests at home)

2. Australia

Australian Cricket Team is second on the points table with a win percentage of 60.71%. A 4-1 or 3-2 series win against India will guarantee the Aussies a spot in the WTC final. In case Australia loses the series 2-3, they have to win both Tests in Sri Lanka and hope that other outcomes come in their favour.

Remaining matches: India (home, three Tests), Sri Lanka (away, two Tests)

3. Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan Cricket is another team that is in contention for the spot in the final. The chances are bleak though after a humiliating 2-0 loss to South Africa recently. They have a win percentage of 45.45% at the moment and must win all their remainder games to stand a chance.

Remaining matches: Australia (home, two Tests)

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The Border-Gavaskar Trophy battle has intensified after Australia’s dominant win in the second test at Adelaide to draw the series level 1-1. The manner of defeat is worrying for Indian cricket and they must make a few tweaks to strike the right balance for the Gabba Test in Brisbane.

After the dismal performance in the second test, there is a lot to ponder for the Team India think tank. Here are the three possible changes that can work in favor of the Indian National Cricket Team as they gear up for the 3rd Test IND vs AUS.

1. Akash Deep in place of Harshit Rana

Harshit Rana was good in the first test but was as bad in the second test. Yes, he should be backed but these are dire circumstances and there is a need to fix it!

Akash Deep, who has picked up 10 wickets at an average of 25.80 in his short test career so far, is one of the options before India. The fast bowler has impressed in the home tests and has a strong domestic record to back it.

Akash Deep has scalped 123 wickets in first-class cricket at a stunning average of 22.98. His ability to bowl tight lines from difficult angles with pace and accuracy makes him an excellent prospect in fast-bowling-friendly conditions.

Can he make an impact? Well, only time can tell. At this moment, India is looking for a third fast bowler who can support Jasprit Burmah and Mohammed Siraj. If Akash Deep makes an impact, he will do a world of good for the workload of Bumrah-Siraj. 

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2. Ravindra Jadeja or Washington Sundar for R Ashwin

There is no denying the fact that Ravichandran Ashwin is India’s best spinner at the moment. However, the offie was not at his best in the second test and failed to make any sort of impact. Add to that, the injury concerns he dealt in the match. So, for that reason, Team India may turn to either Ravindra Jadeja or Washington Sundar for the Brisbane Test.

Washington Sundar was favored in the first test basis of the red-hot form he was in the recent home series against New Zealand. However, it means not much since these are different conditions back home.

On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja boasts a wealth of experience and a proven all-rounder record. India may factor that in and pick a spinner with experience. 

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3. Rohit Sharma at the top of the batting order

Rohit Sharma’s last 11 Test Innings scores read 6, 5, 23, 8, 2, 52, 0, 8, 18, 11, 3. The Indian captain is struggling big time but at the same time batting out of position can make matters worse. 

In the ongoing BGT 2024-25 series, he missed the first Test and KL Rahul did well batting at the position he vacated.

In the second test, he didn’t have a great outing batting in the middle order and neither KL Rahul had a good time at the top of the batting order.

India’s think tank may consider reinstating Rohit as an opener — a batting spot where he contributes the best. As an opening batsman in 64 innings, Rohit Sharma has amassed 2,685 runs at an average of 44.02, including nine centuries.

Rohit Sharma is the kind of batsman who sets the tone of the match. And, India is looking to do that – an impactful knock at the top of the order.

Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal are India’s most successful opening pair in recent times – 1,236 runs in 26 innings.

In a nutshell, India needs Rohit Sharma at the top of the batting order more than any other position.

Related The Indian Players Who’ve Shone on Australian Soil: Border-Gavaskar Trophy Legends

India’s Probable XI for Brisbane Test

1. Rohit Sharma
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Shubman Gill
4. Virat Kohli
5. Rishabh Pant
6. KL Rahul
7. Nitish Reddy
8. Ravindra Jadeja/Washington Sundar
9. Akash Deep
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Mohammed Siraj

India’s BGT 2024-25 Squad

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Nitish Reddy, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep

Australia takes on India in the 3rd Test at The Gabba, Brisbane, on 14 December 2024. The Australia vs India 3rd test live action starts at 5:50 AM IST.

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