IND vs AUS 4th Test Live Update Day 1:
The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy's fourth Test between India and Australia commenced at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 26. The opening day witnessed a thrilling contest between bat and ball. Unlike Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane, Melbourne’s pitch proved favorable for batsmen. This fact led Australia to notch up four half-centuries in the opening day itself.
Australia, winning the toss, opted to bat and reached 311/6 (86 overs) by stumps. Pat Cummins (8) and Steve Smith (68) remained unbeaten. Jasprit Bumrah outshone others as India's most successful bowler, claiming three wickets.
Batting first, Australia started strong as 19-year-old debutant Sam Costanza played impressive shots against Jasprit Bumrah. In the seventh over, Costanza showcased his skills by hitting two fours and a switch-hit six off Bumrah.
Costanza continued his aggressive approach, scoring 18 runs in Bumrah’s eleventh over, completing his fifty in just 52 balls. However, he was eventually spun out by Ravindra Jadeja, scoring 60 runs.
Post Costanza’s dismissal, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the innings with a 65-run partnership. Bumrah, once again proving to be India’s trump card, dismissed Khawaja. After a prolonged wait, Washington Sundar, playing his first match, managed to uproot Labuschagne.
At 237 runs on the board, Labuschagne fell for 72. Travis Head, without troubling the scoreboard, was clean-bowled by Bumrah, taking Australia's tally to 240/4. Shortly after, Mitchell Marsh was also removed cheaply by Bumrah.
Just when Australia seemed to gain momentum, Akash Deep, with the new ball, got Alex Carey to edge to Rishabh Pant when he was on 31.
Australia's Scorecard:
Fall of Wickets:
1-89 (Sam Costanza, 19.2 overs), 2-154 (Usman Khawaja, 44.1 overs), 3-237 (Marnus Labuschagne, 65.1 overs), 4-240 (Travis Head, 66.3 overs), 5-246 (Mitchell Marsh, 68.6 overs), 6-299 (Alex Carey, 82.1 overs)
A Chance for a Hat-trick in Melbourne...
With the five-Test series currently tied at 1-1, India has the remarkable opportunity to achieve a hat-trick of victories at Melbourne. The Indian team triumphed in both their previous matches here in 2018 and 2020, with wins by 137 runs and 8 wickets, respectively. India’s playing XI sees Washington Sundar making the cut, pushing out Shubman Gill. Rohit Sharma will anchor the top order. Scott Boland replaces the injured Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s squad, and Sam Costanza opens in place of Nathan McSweeny. Notably, Costanza and Usman Khawaja have an 18-year age gap in this opening pair.
Costanza, at 18 years of age, is Australia’s youngest debutant in the format since Pat Cummins’ debut in 2011. His debut as a young opener has created buzz with their age difference marking them as historically unique partners in cricket.
Australia’s Playing XI for MCG Test:
Usman Khawaja, Sam Costanza, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
India’s Playing XI for MCG Test:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
India's Results in Melbourne (Against Australia):
January 1948: Lost by 233 runs; February 1948: Lost by an innings and 177 runs; December-January 1968: Lost by an innings and four runs; December-January 1978: Won by 222 runs; February 1981: Won by 59 runs; December 1985: Draw; December 1991: Lost by 8 wickets; December 1999: Lost by 180 runs; December 2003: Lost by 9 wickets; December 2007: Lost by 337 runs; December 2011: Lost by 122 runs; December 2014: Draw; December 2018: Won by 137 runs; December 2020: Won by 8 wickets.
Australia's Record in Melbourne:
Total Tests: 116; Wins: 67; Losses: 32; Draws: 17.
India-Australia Head to Head in Melbourne:
Total Tests: 14; India Won: 4; Australia Won: 8; Draw: 2.
Team India Tour of Australia:
22-25 November: First Test, Perth (India won by 295 runs); 6-8 December: Second Test, Adelaide (Australia won by 10 wickets); 14-18 December: Third Test, Brisbane (Draw); 26-30 December: Fourth Test, Melbourne (ongoing); 03-07 January: Fifth Test, Sydney.
