IND vs AUS, 4th Test: What is India’s record in Boxing Day Tests at MCG?

New Delhi: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia is levelled at 1-1. The Men in Blue won the first Test in Perth by 295 runs but the Aussies made a stunning comeback and won the second Test at the Adelaide Oval by 10 wickets while the third Test match of the series ended in a draw at the Gabba in Brisbane.

The Boxing Day Test match is set to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 26. The fourth Test of the series is expected to break all records of attendance for non-Ashes match. Rohit and Co. will be looking to make a strong comeback in the last two matches of the series and they will also look to retain the Border-Gavaskar by winning the fourth Test.

Rohit and Co. also need to win the remaining two matches of the series to directly qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Team India had a good record at the MCG in recent years. The Men in Blue won the Boxing Day Test on the last two Australia tours. Overall, Team India has played 14 Test matches at the MCG and lost 8 out of them. They won 4 matches while two games ended in a draw.

India’s recent performances at MCG

Australia vs India, 2014-15: Asked to bat first, Australia scored 530 runs in the first innings. Steve Smith notched up 192 runs off 305 balls. In reply, Rahane and Kohli scored crucial centuries as India scored 465 runs in the first innings. Australia declared their second innings at 318/9 after which Pujara and Dhoni helped India draw the match.

Australia vs India, 2018-19: Under the leadership of Virat Kohli, India won the Boxing Day Test match in 2018-19. Pujara and Kohli delivered stunning performances with the bat as India scored 443 runs. In reply, Australia struggled to bat against Jasprit Bumrah who picked up 9 wickets in the match. India won the match by 137 runs.

Australia vs India, 2020-21: Jasprit Bumrah and Ajinkya Rahane shined in the first innings. Bumrah picked up 4 wickets while Rahane also notched up a sensational hundred as India took a 100+ runs lead. The Indian pacers delivered a brilliant bowling performance and The Men in Blue won the match by 8 wickets.