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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