"All week the crowd has been ridiculous, and it's been amazing to be part of. Marnus helped me out in that second innings big time, happy to contribute. Amazing innings from Steve, winning the toss, it wasn't easy on the first day, but to get up to high 400s was terrific."

"We wanted to take an India victory out of the equation [on batting on and not declaring]. We had plenty of runs to play with, and as many helmets around the bat as we could."

"It is pretty disappointing. It's not that we went in with the intent of giving up the fight. We wanted to fight till the end and unfortunately, we couldn't do it. It'll be tough to assess just the last two sessions. If you look at the overall Test match, we had our chances, but we didn't take them. We had Australia 90 for 6. We know things can get tough, but we want to play tough cricket in hard situations."

"I don't want to look at one situation. We were not good enough. I went back to my room and thought about what else we could have done as a team, we threw everything we had, but they fought hard, especially that last-wicket partnership, which probably cost us the game there:" Rohit Sharma said in the post-match presentation. 

6 crucial wickets, and 90 valuable runs with the bat, Australian captain Pat Cummins wins the Player of the Match award.

What a thrilling finish! 💥

Australia take seven wickets in the final session to defeat India in the 4th Test and take a 2-1 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

One match left—who's ready for the decider? 🔥🇦🇺🇮🇳#BGT2024 #AUSvIND #YashasviJaiswal #RishabhPant #rohitsharma pic.twitter.com/M8EsFQGRiR

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) December 30, 2024

"A fantastic way to finish the week. Fantastic week for us," Mitchell Starc while talking to Isha Guha post-match. 

Scot Boland and Nathan Lyon played 117 balls for the last wicket in the second innings. 

Australia win by 184 runs in a record-breaking Boxing Day test match at the iconic MCG. Sundar again was not able to take the single the last ball of the last over. 

Siraj, facing Lyon was always vulnerable. The ball kept a bit low and hit Siraj below the knee roll on the off-stump. Siraj went upstairs but the on-field decision stayed. 

Australia take a 2-1 lead in the series. 

Washington Sundar could not take a single in the last over and Bumrah had to face Boland. After negotiating two deliveries, he edged the third one. A top-class catch from Steve Smith, diving forward. 

India 154/9, with 13.3 overs to play. 

Scot Boland comes into the attack and attacks the pad of Akash Deep. It thumps the pad and goes straight to the short-leg fielder. Umpire Joel Wilson gives it not out and Cummins goes for DRS again. 

The snicko shows a bit of murmur on the screen and Akash Deep has to depart. 

India 150/8. India still have to 16 overs to play. 

Is that now Australia's game? Is that out? 

A slow bouncer from Pat Cummins and Yashashvi Jasiwal, batting on 84 from 208 balls, went for the hook. Australians appealed for the catch but the on-field umpire decided to give not out.

Cummins went for the DRS but after nearly watching the replays for 10 minutes, TV Umpire Sharfuddoula gave it out. There was nothing in the snicko but yet the TV umpire thought it was good enough to overturn the decision. 

Jaiswal has some words with the umpires too. But, he will have to and India have 21 overs to draw the match. 

India 140/7.

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔#AUSvINDonHotstar #AUSvINDIA #INDvsAUS #YashasviJaiswal pic.twitter.com/OzEEovguQ2

— Disney+ Hotstar (@DisneyPlusHS) December 30, 2024

OH MY, MY! Nathan Lyon has Nitish Kumar Reddy, the centurion from the first inning. Australia now need 4 wickets to win. 

On and around off stump from Lyon and Nitish Kumar Reddy tried to defend and only managed to get a thin edge. That was a brilliant catch from Steve Smith in the slips too. 

India 130/6. Nitish is out after 1 from 5 balls.

Double strike for Australia. Terrific from Scot Boland. From a length, the ball jumped a bit higher and caught Jadeja's bat. Is there another collapse for India?

India 127/5. Jadeja goes after 2 from 14 balls. 

Rishabh Pant makes a mistake for the second time in this test match. A short ball from Travis Head and Pant took it on. He went for the big shot but managed to give a catch to Mitchell Marsh at long-on. India 121/4.

Due to technical glitch, we were not been able to send any updates.

At the stroke of lunch, Starc gets the better of Kohli's patience. In the last  over, Starc brought a few back into Kohli and this time Kohli goes for a big expensive drive. 

He gets the edge and Australia get their guy. 

India 33/3, need 307 runs to win. Australia need 7 wickets to win. 

KL Rahul goes for a duck. Australia are on a roll now. 

In the corridor of uncertainty from Captain Cummins. And, Rahul just hoped that the ball would leave him. But, it held his line to get the edge and India are two down now. 

India 25/2.

Rohit's long waiting game is over. Cummins and Mitch Marsh were brilliant in getting the first wicket. 

A fuller outswinger and Rohit wanted to play it towards the square of the leg side. A thick edge and it went fast towards the slip. Marsh juggled twice but hold on it.

Rohit goes after 9 from 40.

Finally, Bumrah has his five-wicket haul. He cleans up Lyon's stumps and Australia are bowled out for 234. India need 340 runs to win.

The final pair added 55 and Australia recovered well to keep the fight. They lead by 333 runs. Lyon added 41 from 54 balls while Boland scored 10 off 65 balls. 

In the last over, Bumrah managed an edge off Lyon. Rahul somehow managed to grab the catch in between his knees. But it is a no-ball.

The partnership now crosses 50!

The partnership now crosses 40 from 100 balls as India took the new ball.

The final wicket has caused a few problems for India. Boland has already played 59 balls and Lyon has added 22 from 40 balls.

Australia's last three wickets have already added more than 100 and their lead now crosses 300!

Frustrating times for India. The 11th wicket has already added 16 and these are some valuable runs. Australia lead by 293 runs now.

A very well-played inning comes to an end. Jadeja replaced Bumrah as the Indian pacer left the field. 

The change of pace worked out for India here. In and around the off-stump, the ball turned just a little bit. Cummins tried to open the face of the bat and got an edge. 

Good, sharp catch at slip from Rohit Sharma. Australia are now 173/9.

Great work from Pant. Massive mix-up. Starc played the ball towards the square leg and then wanted a second run. 

However, Cummins was not interested. Pant with a direct throw at the bowler's end and Starc is gone for 5. 

Australia 156/8 and lead by 251. 

A big, big, wicket for India. Labuschagne was looking to somehow take Australia to a total where it would be tough for India to chase down the runs. 

Length ball from Siraj nipped back sharply and caught Labuschagne on the crease. Labuschagne went upstairs but it was Umpire's call on clipping the bails. 

Australia 148/7

We are watching a once-in-a-lifetime bowler. Round the wicket to Carey, Bumrah pitched the ball in an around off-tump and the ball came back slightly. Carey tried to force a shot but could not manage to get his bat to the ball. 

Bumrah hits the stumps and he is one wicket away from another five-wicket haul.

Australia 91/6.

This might be it for Mitchell Marsh. He has not got going in this series and against a red-hot Bumrah, he did not stand a chance as well. 

From a length, the ball was rising and clipped the glove, going straight to the slip cordon. 

Australia 161/8. 

Jasprit Bumrah gets his 200th test wicket. 

For the second time in a row, Bumrah gets Travis Head very early in the inning. India are on a roll now. 

Round the wicket, Bumrah hit the pitch hard and angled it towards the middle stump and Head picked out the short mid-wicket fielder.

Australia 85/4.

Full, wide and nicked. Smith tried to get on with the game but only managed to get an edge. He threw the bat at it and he will not have his 10000th test run today.

Australia 80/3.

Very good session for India with the ball. They were able to stop the run flow and dry things up. Akash Deep was impressively tight but could not get a wicket. Bumrah got Sam Konstas and Siraj dismissed Usman Khawaja. 

Smith and Marnus are there at the crease and Australia lead by 158 runs.

Man, he needed that so much. Mohammed Siraj, who was sending the ball across Usman Khawaja for most of the time, makes the ball come in from over the wicket. 

Khawaja, who struggled for most of his inning, could not gauge the line and missed the ball completely. Siraj hits the off-stump and gets the wicket.

Another frustrating decision and umpires call saving Australians!

Labuschagne survives! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/gaAsvJH9aJ

— Koushik Biswas (@kbofficial25) December 29, 2024

So India want to have Bumrah in action for as long as they can. Siraj replaced Bumrah and after three overs from him, Bumrah comes back to action. 

Akash Deep has already bowled 7 overs in his spell and I believe Siraj will replace him on the other end.

A brilliant spell from Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep. After the first 10 overs of the inning, Australia struggled their way to 23 and if the luck had been there, India could have had a few more wickets.

It ain't that easy my boy 😉

Bumrah rattles Sam Konstas' stumps!#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/kFy2J7xeTV

— Koushik Biswas (@kbofficial25) December 29, 2024

Jasprit Bumrah proves why he is the best bowler in the world. Konsats, who had taken the game to India and Bumrah, rattles the stumps and India get their first.

From the top of the popping crease, the ball jagged back in and Konstas had no idea of that. It came in back at speed and rattled the stump. 

Australia 20/1 and lead by 125.

Khawaja nearly had fallen into the perfect trap set by Bumrah. Round the wicket, around the off stump, the ball left him for the first five balls and made the ball come in a bit and Khawaja went for his favourite flick shot. 

But, Jaiswal, who was very close to the bat at leg gulley, could not hold on to the catch.

After a few orthodox shots in the first over, Sam Konstas decided to come down the crease against Jasprit Bumrah. Akash Deep takes the new ball alongside Bumrah.

118 Matt Prior Sydney 2011
114 Nitish Reddy Melbourne 2024
113 Yasir Shah Adelaide 2019
110 Adam Parore 2001
108 Gerry Alexander 1961

Though Cummins was not able to get Siraj, Lyon gets Reddy. He had to take his chance to go big but only managed to mis hit it. Reddy is dismissed after a stunning 114-run inning. Australia take a lead of 105 runs.

The umpires went for a bump ball check and decided to give not out.

Cummins, who was not happy with the decision, wanted to use DRS. But was not allowed.

What are your thoughts?#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/73uNDG1vzc

— Koushik Biswas (@kbofficial25) December 28, 2024

Nitish looking to score as much as possible. But after scoring 9 off Lyon, he was unable to take a single in the last ball.

Pat Cummins starts things off against Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Day 4 of the match will start 30 minutes earlier to make up the lost time.

The rain came hard at the end of today's play and we could not have any game after that. India finished the day at 358/9 and trailing by 116 runs. India will look to add as many as they can tomorrow morning. 

"For our family, it's a special day and we cannot forget this day in our life. He has been performing well since the age group of 14-15 and now in international cricket, it's a very special feeling. (On what were his emotions when Nitish was on 99 with one wicket remaining) I was very tense. Only the last wicket was remaining. Thankfully Siraj managed to survive," Mutyala Reddy, Nitish's father told Adam Gilchrist during an interview after the hundred. 

𝐖𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘 💯

A special ton from a special player!

Nitish Kumar Reddy becomes the third youngest Indian to score a test ton in Australia.

And, what a special occasion to do it in front of his father and 60 thousand people. #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/VayQacQH0v

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) December 28, 2024

It was already dark and now the umpires have decided to tell the players to leave the field. 

18y 256d Sachin Tendulkar Sydney 1992
21y 92d Rishabh Pant Sydney 2019
21y 216d Nitish Reddy Melbourne 2024
22y 46d Dattu Phadkar Adelaide 1948

What a remarkable hundred! A lofted straight drive over mid off and he gets the boundary to take him over 100. His first test ton and in a very demanding situation. 

His father is in tears and so are we! He becomes the third youngest Indian to score a test ton in Australia! 

With tension all over India and ground, Mohammed Siraj plays out the rest of the three balls from Pat Cummins. NKR now has the chance to score his maiden ton.

Nitish Kumar Reddy on 97 decided to take a double in the last ball of the last over. But, Cummins gets Bumrah and India are 9 down now with Reddy on 99 waiting on the other end.

129 S Tendulkar - Harbhajan Sydney 2008
127 N Reddy - W Sundar Melbourne 2024
107 A Kumble - Harbhajan Adelaide 2008

Nathan Lyon gets Washington Sundar and India lose their 8th with 126 needed in the first inning. 

Sundar goes after a solid 50 from 162 balls.

Playing only his 8th test, Washington Sundar shows why he has been rated so highly in India. This is his 4th test fifty and he is already averaging over 55 in his career. So underrated.

India keeps on fighting. 

India 345/7

Well, well, the conditions were overcast since a while and it has started drizzling. The umpires take the players off as the groundsmen rush in with the covers. The main pitch has been covered. Early tea has also been taken. Brilliant session for India. They have scored 82 runs in 24 overs without the loss of a wicket.

India 326-7

Washington Sundar 40(115), Nitish Kumar Reddy 85(119).

Australia will be pleased to get rid of Pant and Jadeja this morning. Cummins and Boland started off well and bowled in disciplined channels. The pitch played well - Jadeja adopted a circumspect approach while Pant kept the scoreboard ticking. It was looking good for the visitors but a poor shot from Pant resulted in his downfall to Boland. 

He attempted a scoop on the previous ball without any success and he tried it again but only to get a leading edge down to the third man's throat. Lyon came in and troubled Jadeja from round the wicket angle - getting some to turn and skidding some with the angle. The southpaw was hurried by one that skidded on to get trapped in front.

India trail by 230 runs.

A brilliant start by the batters was diminished with a collapse late in the day for India. Jaiswal, how was looking great, was run out and since then India lost two more wickets leaving Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease at the end of the day.

India trail by 310 runs. 

Batting collapse from India! Boland gets Virat Kohli, nicked to Alex Carey, right after Jaiswal’s run out! 

Kohli went for 36. In his next over, Boland dismissed Akash Deep and India are in deep trouble now! 

India 159/5. 

What an unfortunate way to get out! Jaiswal on 82, looked for a single and Kohli was not keen for it! 

Cummins gets him and India lose their third! 

The 102-run partnership ends in a sad way! 

Akash Deep comes in as a night watchman! 

India 154/3

Well made fifty from Yashashi Jaiswal, his 9th in test format!

He has looked good so far and needs to build on this to get a big score. 

The partnership crosses 50 as well! 

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have been trying to attract Kohli to poke at deliveries outside off stump! 

However, till now, Kohli has been good choosing the ball and shot! 

He is batting on 15 from 34! 

Just at the stroke of tea, the Australian captain gets the best better from the Indian side. 

Rahul who was looking solid, was completely bamboozled by Cummins’s leg cutter which pitched in around off middle and off stump and the moved just a little bit to hit the off stump!

Any batter in the world would have got dismissed by that. 

India 51/2 at tea! 

Amidst all the speculations of him batting at number three, the Indian captain returned to his favourite opening position! 

But even that change did not come any handy for Rohit as he was diminished on three by his counterpart Pat Cummins! 

Rohit could not connect his pull shot and was caught by Scot Boland. 

Australia finished at 474 in the first inning. Steve Smith, just like the last test, was the star of the show with a magnificent 140! 

Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets while Akash Deep took two and Jasp Bumrah got 4 wickets! 

Day 2, First session in numbers 

Overs 27

Runs 143 

Wickets 1

Nothing is happening for the Indian bowlers as the Aussies cross 450!

Smith 137*, Starc 14*

Two smashing boundaries against the pace and a paddle scoop as soon as the spinners came in. Steve Smith is now having fun and Australia have their foot on the paddle. 

How much would they get in the first inning?

Australia 439/7 in 109 overs.

Steven Smith 1st innings scores vs India at home in red ball Tests

162*
133
192
117
0
131
36
0
101
103*

One short of his fifty, Aussie captain Pat Cummins wanted to go over the cover but could only slice the ball up towards long off against Ravindra Jadeja. 

Nitish Kumar Reddy with a good catch, moving to his left. Cummins goes for a well-made 49. Finally, the partnership is broken after a 112-run stand. 

Australia 411/7. 

💯𝐍𝐨. 𝟑𝟒!

Back-to-back test centuries for Steve Smith, his fifth at MCG and 11th against India, the most by any batter in test cricket history.

Is he the greatest test batter of the modern era?#BoxingDay #BoxingDayTest #SteveSmith pic.twitter.com/78B49IIh0h

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) December 27, 2024

Test century no. 34 for Steve Smith! Back-to-back centuries for Steve Smith and this is his 5th test ton at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

He now becomes the batter with the most test tons against India (11).

Siraj and Nitish Kumar Reddy replaced Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled for nearly 55 minutes on Day 2. Smith has already entered the 90s and is looking for his fifth ton at MCG!

Fan jumps in and runs on to the ground, Rohit evades while Kohli handles before security guards take the situation. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/8hPnLfxzni

— Sa. Gomesh | ச. கோமேஷ் (@SaGomesh) December 27, 2024

Three boundaries, one through the fine leg, one towards the third man and one through the covers and Australia crosses their 350. Meantime, Cummins and Smith put up a 50-run stand for the seventh wicket as well. 

Dominating stuff from the home team!

AUS 359/6. 

After the first ball of the over, Rohit put a short mid-wicket to let Akash Deep bowl more stump to stump. He tried a short ball as well, which went past Smith's ears. Then, he pitched it up which nearly procured the edge.

Good from Akash. 

Australia 342/6.

Man, he looks like a different bowler than all the other bowlers. In and around off stump, a few more plays and misses, two short balls to make Cummins uncomfortable, and another near-perfect over from the No. 1 Test bowler in the World.

A few plays and misses nearly produced an edge twice in the over, and even Steve Smith acknowledged the greatness of Jasprit Bumrah. In the fifth ball, after playing and missing, Smith said, "Well bowled, Jassi."  

"WELL BOWLED, JASSI"

Steve Smith acknowledged the greatness of Jasprit Bumrah after nearly edging a ball in the 91st over of the inning on Day 2. #BoxingDay #BoxingDayTest #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/EtVXKy8aDV

— Koushik Biswas (@kbofficial25) December 26, 2024

A no ball to start and Pat Cummins was ready to tap one for a single in the next ball. After leaving a few balls, Steve Smith punched through the cover-point to get a boundary. He moves to 78 and looks ominous now. 

Australia 332/6. 

Jasprit Bumrah replaces Mohammed Siraj straightaway. A single in the first ball and then an edge from Steve Smith down the third man to get a four. 

He bowled at low 130s and surely will look to warm the engine with time.

Good start from Akash Deep. He was on the money like he has throughout the test match.

Not so good start from India! 1, 4, 3, and a single to finish!

Siraj has bowled all of over the place and Australia have a great fast start! 

Australia 320/6

Hell and welcome! Good morning to everyone following the LIVE blog from India! 

We are minutes away from starting the second day of Boxing Day Test match! 

Well, a great day of cricket ends! 

We had everything! Sam Konstas going bang, bang against the likes of Bumrah and Siraj and India then keeping things tight in the second session with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith trying to play cautiously. 

In the third session, Australia tried to score some quick runs and lost four wickets as well. Bumrah, again was the star of the show taking three wickets including the important wicket of Travis Head for a duck.

Steve Smith is unbeaten on 68 from 111 balls with captain Pat Cummins on 8 from 17 batting at the other end.

And there you go! The discussion in the last test was that should Akash Deep take the new ball! This time Rohit gave him the new ball and he gets his first wicket of the match.

Hits a length hard in the corridor, and he gets it to bounce disconcertingly and also leave Carey. The line is so close to off stump that Carey can't pull his bat away quickly enough, and the ball kisses his edge through to Pant. 

Australia 299/6!

Australia lose their third wicket in a quick time. Mitchell Marsh's poor form continues and Bumrah gets him while pulling. It's not quite genuinely short, and he dragged it from outside off. 

He's through the shot early and ends up edging it behind off the outside edge, very near the toe end for an easy catch to Pant.

Australia 246/5.

WHAT A DELIVERY! Bumrah gets Travis Head for a duck. Head is not happy with the way he got out after dominating the last two test matches.

From a perfect length to hit the top of off, the perfect line to induce the leave, and wicked inward seam movement with a ball that's into its 67th over.

Australia 240/4

Taken at mid-off! Labuschagne has given it away. Came down the pitch, connected with a skimming drive and doesn't have the height to clear the field. Neat catch above the head by Kohli 237/3

Usman went for the pull and only was able to get a top edge and Australia lost their second. Khawaja goes after a well-made 57!

Siraj was able to "open up" Marnus a few times in last over and Akash Deep was good against Usman before going for two boundaries in his last over. So, Rohit decides to brin medium pacer Nitish Kumar Reddy from the end Akash Deep was bowling.

Remind you he had dismissed Marnus Labuschagne in the last test.

Khawaja scores his 15th fifty of his test career, the first of the series. He had to fight for this. Thanks to Konstas, who allowed him to have some lose balls early in the inning.

But, post lunch, he left the balls well and waited for the half-vollyes and short balls from the Indian bowlers.

A half-volley from Akash Deep, followed by an edge through the slips, Khawaja got to a much-needed fifty. 

Australia 127/1 after 34 overs.

Both Akash Deep (against Usman) and Bumrah (against Marnus) have been able to get the edges. But, both the times the edges have fall infront of the slips. 

Looks like the pitch does not have the carry it used to have. However, both the batters played those balls with softer hands.

Good start from Indian bowlers post lunch. Nothing but juts good areas on and around that off stump. Akash Deep started with a maiden and Bumrah continuted it. And now we have seen four back-to-back maidens. 

Wicket around the corner?

Australia win the first session of the test match and all thanks to Sam Konstas for an entertaining 60 from 65 balls on his debut in front of nearly 80000 people at the iconic MCG.

Bumrah went for plenty, and so did Siraj. Akash Deep troubled Usman for a bit but it was Ravindra Jadeja who trapped Sam Konstas in front of the wicket.

India did not have any answer to Konstas' unorthodox game and it looked like the youngster had fun entertaining everyone.

Nice and quick from Australia as they cross 100 in just 22 overs. Marnus is 9 from 9 and Usman is 32 from 58 balls.

As we had thought Ravindra Jadeja gets the better of Sam Konstas. In the last over, Jadeja was unlucky to not get a nod from the umpire. 

This time, he pitched the ball a bit further up and within the stump. Konstas wanted to go upstairs but Usman advised against it.

He goes for 60 from 65 balls. Australia 89/1. 

𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐃. 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄. 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆.

That is everything about debutant Sam Konstas, who took the game to Indian bowlers and smashed 60 from 65 balls in the first session of #BoxingDayTest

Describe the youngster with one word. #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/YyZf9G1EF5

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) December 26, 2024

This would be fun! Jadeja against Konstas! 

But, it was Usman Khawaja, who pulled Jadeja for a four early in the over and then took a single in the fifth ball. Konstas only had to face one ball of spin before the umpires called for the drinks.

Konstas 55* (59), Usman 27* (37).

Fifty on debut for Sam Konstas. He reaches the landmark in just 52 balls!

Jasprit Bumrah has now conceded his most expensive over (18) in Test cricket to Sam Konstas. Konstas is also only the second batter after Jos Buttler to hit Bumrah for two sixes in an innings. #INDvsAUS

— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal) December 26, 2024

A boundary down the ground for a four and then a slog over mid-wicket to get the second six of the day. 

India do not have any answer to the question Konstas has thrown at them. They cross the fifty in just the 11th over. 

AUS 62/0 after 11 overs.

SAM KONSTAS BECOMES THE FIRST BATTER TO SIX AGAINST BUMRAH IN TESTS SINCE 2021 🥶 pic.twitter.com/wfUkEG8RD7

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 26, 2024

He did bring out the shot twice earlier in the inning. But, this time he is successful.

A scoop to get the second boundary of his test career. Then a reverse scoop to get his first six of his test career in the next ball. 

He stepped down the crease in the next ball and went for another reverse scoop in 5th ball of the over. 

After going away from the batter in his first over, Mohammed Siraj tried to bring a ball back into the batter in his second over. Usman Khawaja was out of his crease and though the ball hit the pad in and around the middle stump, the height was always the question.

Rohit took the DRS and the decision stayed with the umpires' call.

Sam Konstats, after scoring his first run in test cricket, stared down the wicket upon missing a ball and then went for a reverse scoop against Jasprit Bumrah. Interesting!

Usman Khawaja on the other hand, has a big smile on his face.

Sam Konstats went for a reverse scoop against Jasprit Bumrah!

Brave or foolish?#BoxingDayTest pic.twitter.com/HvtiBbSo6M

— Koushik Biswas (@kbofficial25) December 25, 2024

17y 239d Ian Craig vs SA Melbourne 1953
18y 193d Pat Cummins vs SA Joburg 2011
18y 232d Tom Garrett vs Eng Melbourne 1877
19y 85d Sam Konstas vs Ind Melbourne 2024
19y 96 Clem Hill vs Eng Lord's 1896

It is Sam Konstats, the debutant against probably the best cricketer in the world, Jasprit Bumrah to start the proceedings. 

Usman Khawaja decided to stay at the other end and the youngster took the opening ball in front of 90000 people at the MCG.

A near-perfect maiden from Bumrah, with all six balls leaving the batter and Konstats played and missed four times in that over.

Mohammed Siraj takes the new ball from the other end.

"We would have batted as well, looks like a good wicket. The series is 1-1, a lot to play for, it gives us a perfect opportunity to show what we are as a team."

"We gonna have a bat today. There's a bit of a grass like an old MCG wicket, looks nice and firm. It's been a great series so far. 

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma(c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep

After all the speculations and rumours, it is Shubman Gill who makes way for Washington Sundar in India's playing XI. Rohit Sharma is listed to bat at number three with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul to open for India.

19-year-old opener Sam Konstats became the 468th Australian test player. 

Pat Cummins won the toss and decided to bat first. Rohit Sharma says he wanted to bat as well.

Indian fans can watch the test match LIVE on Disney+Hotstar with a paid plan. Moreover, the match will also be televised LIVE on Star Sports TV Channels on Indian Televisions. 

Toss - 4.30 am IST.

First session - 5 am to 7 am IST.

Second session - 7.40 am to 9.40 am IST.

Third session - 10 am to 12 pm IST.

Match: Australia vs India

Date: 26 December - 30 December, 2024

Time: 5 am IST

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia.

Breaking: Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket.

Who else than Travis Head? He is the player of the match for his 152 in the first inning that nearly threw India out of the match. However, the news from the centre is that he has sustained a groin injury and his participation in the next test match is under question. 

The umpires have decided to call it a day as it does not look like it to be getting better anytime soon. It stays 1-1 at the Gabba!

It could have been an interesting last session of test match but the weather does not allow that. 

We will see you during the boxing day test.

There won't be another ball bowled in the game. The covers have been nailed down. It's raining heavily now.

Bad light stops play and here comes the covers as well. The tea has been taken and we will have an update soon.

That's it from Australia. Off they running! 

They declare at 89/7 and the target for India is 275 runs in 54 overs.

A slower ball from Bumrah does the crease and gets Pat Cummins. It was like they were about to declare but decided against it. 

Cummins wanted to go big again and got the top edge only. Good catch from KL Rahul at mid-on.

Australia 85/7 and lead by 270 runs.

Captain Pat Cummins doing what he has asked the other batters to do. He has now hit two huge sixes and now batting at 21 from 8 balls. 

A rash shot from Travis Head and surely the Aussies have some target in their mind. Otherwise, we would not have seen these kinds of shots from them.

On a shortish good length from Siraj and Head wanted a piece of that. He only managed to get a top edge and Rishabh Pant again took a good catch, running behind to dismiss him.

Australia 60/6 and lead by 245 runs.

ARE WE? ARE WE MOVING FORWARD TO A SPECIAL FIFTH DAY?#INDvAUS

— Koushik Biswas (@kbofficial25) December 18, 2024

Australia looking to get going and Smith just had come down the crease to get a four over the mid-off the ball before now has edged it down the leg side.

Blunder of a catch from Rishabh Pant to remove the centurion from the last inning.

The wicket belongs to Pant for the catch.

Australia 35/5 and lead by 220 runs. 

Akash Deep removes Mitchell Marsh. The tough time continues for the all-rounder and India have their fourth wicket.

In and around the sixth stump, moving away from Marsh and he just wanted to play it towards the covers and he gets a nick and Pant has a regulation catch. 

Australia 28/4, lead by 213 runs. 

Steve Smith comes to bat at number six. Can India break the Head-Smith partnership this time?

No Steve Smith at the number for Australia. It is Mitchell Marsh who walked in at that position. Marsh has not had any success with the bat this series and looks like the home wants him to have some confidence before the Boxing day test. 

Dreamy start for India although there will not be any results from this match, this would do good for Akash Deep.

A few vital runs with the bat and now a wicket in his first over. It was short and wide from Akash and McSweeney looked to cut it hard. But, that was nothing shot from the opener. 

Australia 16/3 and lead by 201 runs. 

Bumrah gets his 20th wicket of the series. Marnus Labuschagne looked to poke at a ball outside the sump and could not reach the bat's middle. 

Australia 16/2 in the second inning.

Jasprit Bumrah gets Usman Khawaja with the first ball he has bowled to the left-handed. Around the wicket, the ball came back in with the angle and after an inside edge, the ball hit the stump after a deflection from his pads. 

This is the third time Bumrah got Usman's back in this series. His 19th wicket of the series and we have not completed the third test yet.

Six outswingers were coming from the edge of the popping crease, creating an angle, and then moving away. Bumrah made sure he forced McSweeney to watch the ball close and play.

However, the pace was a bit down at 126km, 128kmph and 131kmph, before he fired up his engine.

I am pretty sure we will only see one spell from Jasprit Bumrah. 

We will have a game soon and the pitch is getting rolled now at the moment.

The batters were ready to come out but there was lightning near the stadium and the play was halted. It is dark and gloomy and it looks like we will have no game played soon.

Travis Head gest Akash Deep. An important 31 off 44 from India's no.11

Head had dragged him forward for a defence but Akash had dragged his right foot and a smart stumping from Alex Carey as well.

India all-out for 260 and despite being behind by 185 runs, Australia will have to bat again.

India avoids follow-on! 

A fighting 33-run partnership for the 11th wicket by Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep helps India avoid the follow-on.

Akash Deep 21*, Jasprit Bumrah 10*

Akash Deep 17, Bumrah 10

If India can score this 11, they certainly will save the test match! 

Bumrah and Akash Deep doing their best!

Akash Deep 10 and Bumrah 9. 

Pat Cummins gets his fourth. Ravindra Jadeja tried to go for another big shot against the short ball and this time he found the man on the boundary line. 

A wonderful inning from Jadeja comes to an end. He goes for 77 off 123. 

India 213/9, train by 232. 

India 8 down as Mitchell Starc gets  Siraj, edged to Alex Carey! 

Siraj goes for 1. India 201/8. 

India 201/7; Jadeja 65; Siraj 1. 

Australia break the partnership. It is their captain Pat Cummins who goes through the defences of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Australia have their 7th wicket.

Reddy goes for 16 from 61. India 194/7. 

A steady 50-run partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja! 

India getting close to that follow-on mark! 

IND 191/6. Jadeja 59, Reddy 13. 

Both Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja looking under control at the moment against Starc and Lyon!

India 187/6 and trail by 257 runs 

We have a maximum of 38 overs to be played before the end of today’s play.

Here comes the rain again! IND 180/6

Ravindra Jadeja completes his 22nd test fifty in the first over after lunch! 

He looked better as the innings progressed and surely now would look to score runs whenever there is an opportunity! 

The rain has stopped and the play will resume at 9.40 at IST

It has been raining for quite a time now and looks like there will not be any balls played soon! 

This would be frustrating for Australia as they would like to get these four wickets as soon as possible and enforce a follow on. 

Good news for India though! 

Nitish Kumar Reddy survived a DRS review from Australia just one ball before the break and India’s struggle continues at 167/6 with Ravindra Jadeja being not out on 41! 

India still trail by 278 runs and 78 runs to avoid follow-on! 

A top class inning from KL Rahul comes to end. Nathan Lyon from over the wicket, with his loop and revolution made Rahul thought the ball was short enough to go for a cut shot.

But, he only was able to get an outside edge and Steve Smith at first slip dived to his right and took a stunner to dismiss him.

Rahul goes for 84. The partnership between him and Jadeja is broken now. 

India lose their 6th! IND 141/6

In case you missed it, KL Rahul was dropped by Steve Smith on 33! 

KL Rahul’s lone fight continues for India s he completes his 17th test fifty!

 He has been the best batter technically from India and has shown the mix of good defence and attacking shots throughout the innings! 

Loose, very loose and the Indian captain falls. Probing line and length from Cummins, pitched up in that channel just outside off and draws Rohit forward, he's very tentative, the feet is rooted to the crease and he only manages a thin edge, straight into the gloves of Carey and he doesn't drop those.

Rohit goes for 10 from 27. India lose their 5th! 

It was a frustrating day for all the players and fans as well. No more balls were played and we had nearly about 6 breaks in the day and players had to come in and out of the dissing room at regular intervals.

KL Rahul Looked really good while other Indian battles struggled to get going after playing some poor shots. India currently are struggling at 51 for 4 with Captain Witch Sharma and Kill Rahul on the crease.

India trail by 394 runs.

With bad light not allowing fast bowlers to have a go at Rohit and Rahul, Nathan Lyon and Travis Head start the bowling for the Aussies. And after two overs of play, the drizzle comes again.

 The rain is back and so are the covers!

Frustrating for the players and fans. The rain came again as KL Rahul hit a beautiful cover drive and had to leave the field disappointedly. 

IND 48/4 (14.1)

Aussie captain Pat Cummins strikes post the break. He gets Rishabh Pant nicking around the off stump. 

A good length delivery going across Pant and the Indian keeper-batter just poked at it, getting an edge to Alex Carey.

India 44/4 and are in deep trouble. 

The sun is out and the game resumes again.

The difference between Indian bowlers' pitch map and Australian bowlers' pitch map.

Australian bowlers always looked to be a bit fuller with pitching it short every now and then.

Meantime, Indian bowlers bowled short while bowling fuller every now and then. #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/5K9s8LRDGw

— Koushik Biswas (@kbofficial25) December 16, 2024

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant looked good before the rain interrupted the game again. Rahul, who might have been India's best batter at the top of the order, looked in control of everything and punched on everything short and on leg stump.

Meantime, Rishabh Pant took his time and focused on his defence while playing a cover drive when Starc pitched it up. 

India 39/3 in 13 overs, trailing by 406 runs. 

Rahul is unbeaten on 21 from 47 balls. Pant is unbeaten on 9 from 11 balls.

The second session of Day 3 starts as Rishabh Pant joins KL Rahul in the middle.

Another Indian batter gets out fetching for the ball outside the off-stump. On a fullish length, way outside the off-stump, Virat Kohli again went for a big drive and got the outside edge.

He did not learn from the mistake he made in the first ball of his inning and now goes back to the pavilion for 3 from 16 balls.

India struggling at 22/3 and trail by 423 runs.

The rain halted the game again as Kohli went back to the dressing room and lunch has been taken.

The same line, going across the batter from a close angle and Kohli, playing his first ball went for a big drive searching for an early boundary.

He nearly got the edge and it is a very poor shot selection from Kohli when your team are at 6/2.

Mitchell Starc has Shubman Gill now. Very, very poor shot from the Indian No.3. But, a top-class catch from Mitchell Marsh in the gully. 

Fullish, outside off stump and the length induced Gill to go for the big, expensive drive. He gets the outside edge and Mitchell Starc dives in the air to grab the catch. 

Shubman Gill is gone for 1(3).

India really struggling now. India 6/2. 

9 innings
158 balls
104 runs
6 dismissals
17.33 avg.

Brilliant start for Australia and Micthell Starc. 

139kph, half-volley on middle and leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal flicks and chips it straight to Marsh at short midwicket.

Just the second ball of the inning and India lose their first wicket. 

Jaiswal goes for 4(2). India 4/1. 

Australia finishes their first inning at 445, and off they run as the rain halts the game. Carey falls for 70 while going for a pull shot, and Akash Deep finally has a wicket. 

So, Bumrah finishes with 76/6, Siraj with 97/2, Akash Deep 95/1, and Nitish Reddy 65/1. 

Most not-in-control shots induced by a bowler in a Test innings for 1 or 0 wickets since 2014:

57 - Graeme Cremer vs WI, Bulawayo, 2017 (1 wicket in 2nd inns)
56 - Mohammed Shami vs ENG, The Oval, 2018 (0 wickets in 1st inns)
53 - Akash Deep vs AUS, Brisbane, 2024 (1 wicket in 1st inns)
50 - R Ashwin vs ENG, Chennai, 2016 (1 wicket in 1st inns)
50 - Mitchell Swepson vs PAK, Karachi, 2022 (0 wickets in 4th inns)

A dominating day from the Australian batters' end. Australia finished the day at 405/7 with Alex Carey unbeaten 45 from 47 balls with Mitchell Starc unbeaten on 7 from 7 in the other end. 

But it was all about Steve Smith and Travis Head who dominated Indian bowlers for fun. Head scored his third test ton in six tests against India and second of the series. He single-handedly took the game to India and scored a 152 from just 160 balls before Jasprit Bumrah made his return to the dressing room.

Meantime, Steve Smith scored his 33rd test ton and equalled the record for most test tons against India (10). Smith toiled hard at the beginning and was a bit lucky as well but it all paid off as he looked more confident with time.

For India, it was Jasprit Bumrah fighting against the Australian team. Another five-wicket haul for the modern-day great. He collected his 12th test five-for and became the Indian bowler with the most test five-wicket hauls in SENA countries (8).

Everyone thought Australia might declare before the end of the day, but it looks like they want to score as much as they can and throw India out of the test match completely. 

Mohammed Siraj finally gets the reward for the heart he has put into his bowling. He ran in hard and hit the deck hard around the off stump from a good length and Cummins knicks it off to Pant for Australia's seventh wicket.

Cummins goes after 20 from 33 balls.

How long will they bat? 

Alex Carey and Pat Cummins looking to add some quick runs as we head into the final hour of the day. Australia crossed 350 and might look anything close to 400 before calling India to bat.

Most five-wicket hauls in Tests for Indian Pacers:

Kapil Dev - 23
Jasprit Bumrah - 12
Zaheer Khan - 11
Ishant Sharma - 11

Jasprit Bumrah at his best first gets Mitchell Marsh (5). On a good length and holding its line outside off - Marsh is tentatively forward in defence, the ball holds its line and finds the edge, goes at a good height to second slip where Kohli clutches it reverse cupped.

Three balls later he got the better of Travis Head. Pitched up full and outside off, just a hint of movement away, Head throws his hands at it looking to nail it through cover, feet didn't move and he could only manage a thick outside edge that flew to Pant who made no mistake.

Head went to a standing ovation after a remarkable 152 off 160 balls. Bumrah has his 12th test five-wicket haul.

Finally, Jasprit Bumrah gets the better of Steve Smith. A sharp catch by the Indian captain Rohit Sharma in the first slip. It was a bit fullish and Smith went for the drive with a hard hand. 

Smith goes for a well-made 101 from 190 balls. 

Australia 316/4.

Most Test hundreds against India

10 in 41 inngs: Steven Smith
10 in 55 inngs: Joe Root
8 in 30 inngs: Gary Sobers
8 in 41 inngs: Viv Richards
8 in 51 inngs: Ricky Ponting

A standing ovation from the Gabba crowd as Steve Smith gets to his 33rd Test ton. This one was tough. Struggled early and gave himself time to settle in. 

A century that included 12 boundaries. This is Steve Smith's 10th test ton against India.

Rohit Sharma decides to opt for the new ball as they keep on searching for a way to dismiss Travis Head and Steve Smith 

Rohit Sharma drops Travis Head in the slips. Head tried to play the ball on the leg side and got a thick edge towards the second slip. Rohit noticed it late and even after a dive, could not grab the ball. 

130 runs. 27 overs. No wickets. 

Australia dominated the second session and have taken the game away from India. From 75/3 to 234/3, Travis Head and Steve Smith have dominated India in every way possible.

Rohit again missed the trick by not bringing Jasprit Bumrah back immediately when Head came to the crease. 

Steve Smith is now back in form as well and India need to take wickets before Australia throw India out of the third test. 

Back-to-back test tons for Travis Head. His 9th test ton, second here in Brisbane and third in the last six tests against India! 

He just keeps on bashing India. A bit unorthodox, and flashy and scores plenty of runs at a quick rate.

Might not be his best or most fluent, but Steve Smith toils hard to another test fifty. A hard-fought fifty in 128 balls, with many plays and misses. 

This might be the start of a great comeback for the former Aussie captain. 

Travis Head's last seven innings vs India in Tests

• 90(163)
• 163(174)
• 18(27)
• 11(13)
• 89(101)
• 140(141)
• 51*(72)

This partnership between Travis Head and Steve Smith now have started looking ominous for India. Steve Smith played and missed a few times but looked to be positive in the second inning. 

Meantime, Travis Head continued from where he left in Adelaide and has not allowed Indian bowlers to settle in. He completed his 18th test fifty in just 71 balls including six boundaries.

Know which team need how many wins to qualify for the World Test Championship final. 

Akash Deep may have bowled over the second session but could not manage to get Steve Smith out. He went a bit fuller and Smith drove him down the ground for him. In the next two balls, he brought the length a bit back and missed the outside edge by a few centimetres. Ever Smith told him "Well bowled"

In the next ball, he pushed an inswinger and missed the leg stump as we got to see the replay during the DRS review. 

A very good morning for India and Indian bowlers. They did not allow any of the Australian batters to dominate, except for Travis Head. 

Jasprit Bumrah struck early with two wickets of both the openers and the Nitish Kumar Reddy dismissed Marnus Labuschagne to make it India's session. Steve Smith survived a few times against Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy. 

Meantime, Travis Head tried to take on the bowlers and missed quite a few balls as well. 

Mohammed Siraj had left the field with pain in the hamstring but returned later as well. 

Australia 104/3 at lunch break on Day 2. Steve Smith 25 (68) and Travis Head 20* (35) are at the crease for Australia. 

With Mohammed Siraj already outside the field with pain in the hamstring, Jasprit Bumrah now receives treatment on his right foot.

If he is out, India's hopes would be gone.

Luckily for India, he is out bowling the next over.

Akash Deep came to complete Siraj's over and with his first ball, he hit Smith on front. But, it was given not out by the onfield umpire. India did not take the DRS as well. 

Edge? No edge?
Out? Not out?#AUSvIND #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/EHMxqHX5XK

— Koushik Biswas (@kbofficial25) December 15, 2024

Mohammed Siraj left the field with hamstring pain. Worries for India?

Steve Smith was caught on the crease by a bit fullish ball from Mohammed Siraj. Smith let it go and the ball came back in to hit the front pad. 

On field call was Not Out and Rohit Sharma went upstairs to check. The DRS went in favour of Steve Smith and Australia. 

Australia 75/3; Smith 18 from 46.

A big, big, wicket for India. Nitish Kumar Reddy gets Marnus Labuschagne. 

A fullish-length ball that had lured Marnus to go for the drive. But, the ball had moved enough to get the outside edge and Virat Kohli was there to take the flying edge.

A crucial wicket for India. 

Marnus goes for 12 (55). Australia 75/3.

Mohammed Siraj tries to do a Stuart Board and changes the bails on the batter's end. As Siraj turned around and started going back to his bowling line, Marnus changed the bails again. 

A bit of banter? Mind tricks? Superstitions? 

 

 

 

 

 

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Both Bumrah and Akash Deep did not give Australians to run away with the game. With their first spell ending, Mohammed Siraj and Nitish Kumar Reddy will look to be tight and build on the momentum Bumrah and Akash had built. 

Siraj was top-class with his maiden over against Marnus and nearly got him out with an LBW shout as well. NKR needs to back him now. 

Bumrah bowling to Labuschagne this series #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/64bYey06r3

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 15, 2024

In three tests of the series, Steve Smith has there different stances!

Freak!

In Perth, he was starting around outside off-stump. In Adelaide, he changed it to the middle stump and now in Brisbane, he has been starting from leg stump.

Image: Disney+Hotstar.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/8w2yxAkfQt

— Koushik Biswas (@kbofficial25) December 15, 2024

Akash Deep has bowled well since the start of the morning but he needs to be fullish to get the edge. Predominantly he has been a bit short and both Marnus and Smith have been able to leave the ball easily. 

This time, he had Smith come forward and had the edge as well. But, it went to the third-man area and Australia get their fifty. 

Bumrah does it again. On a hard length, coming in from an angle, from wide of the crease gets the outside of McSweeney. It is an easy catch for Virat Kohli in the second slip and India get their second of the morning. 

Nathan McSweeney goes for 9 from 49 balls. 

Australia 38/2. 

Jasprit Bumrah gets Usman Khawaja. In his first over of the day he had set him up beautifully with the ball missing the edge quite a few times and thudding on the pads once. This time, the ball had come in creating an angle and straightened just a bit to get the edge.

Rishabh Pant takes the 150th catch of his test career. Usman goes for 21 from 54 balls. 

Australia 31/1 after 16.1 overs.

Finally, Akash Deep resumes his over. Straightaway he finds the line and length and Nathan McSweeney lets it go. 

We are ready to start early on Day 2 to make up for yesterday's lost time due to rain. Only 13.2 overs were bowled on Day 1 before rain halted the game and became so heavy that no more balls were bowled. 

Indian bowlers took time to find their line and length. It will be interesting to see how they start today. There was no rain yesterday night in Brisbane, and hopefully, we will have a full day of play today.

Rain became the villain as there were no more balls played during Day 1’s play! 

Australia 28/0 after 13.2 and we will resume updates tomorrow morning!

The second session of Day 1 gets washed out as no balls were bowled during lunch period. 

Tea has been taken. 

As per a few reports from Brisbane, the roads outside the ground has become a “river”. 

Surely, with the rain we had, there will be no game played before tea. 

Frustrating for the players and the fans!

The umpires have decided to take an early lunch due to rain. 

The drizzle halted the game again as Australian openers tried to go slow and steady while Indian bowlers waited for the early mistake from the batters. Jasprit Bumrah was on target with his line and length as he went for only 8/0 in 6 overs including 3 maidens in his first spell. 

Akash Deep, who is playing his first test of the series, replaced Mohammed Siraj in bowling and looked good too. He hit McSweeney quite a few times on the pad, but maybe he needs to push the length a bit front to get things going for him. Akash Deep bowled two maidens in 3 overs and went for only 2.

Siraj came back from the end Bumrah was bowling and bowled a maiden as well.

Khawaja 19 from 47 and McSweeney 4 from 33 are batting at the moment for Australia as the groundsmen ran in hard to cover the pitches. 

It is dark at the moment and we will have to wait till the sky gets clear and the rain stops.

The rain has halted the game. India would be disappointed to be unable to take the advantage of early moisture of the pitch. As the batters head out of the ground, we see Morne Morkel having a word with Rohit Sharma.

Only one delivery from the 33 balls would have hit the stumps and Morne, the bowling coach might have been conveying the same thing to the captain. 

Usman 13 (22), McSweeney 2 (11); Siraj 9/0; Bumrah 6/1.

We will be back once the game resumes. 

HANG ON! 

It has been a good, steady start for Aussie openers. A few down the leg side from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj and Usman Khawaja was ready to pounce on them. 

Bumrah started from over the wicket and then changed to around the wicket for Usman and trying to be around that off-stump, creating an angle. However, he has erred in line a few times. Meantime, Siraj has been good except for once when he tried to go short against the southpaw and Usman pulled it for the first boundary of the match. 

McSweeney played out a few dot balls and took his time to settle in. 

A fit Josh Hazlewood replaced Scot Boland for Australia. The rest of the playing XI remained the same for the home team.

Akash Deep and Ravindra Jadeja replaced Harshit Rana and Ravichandran Ashwin for India in the playing XI. 

Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain team won the toss and decided to bowl first.

Rohit: "We're going to bowl first. Little bit overcast and little bit of grass, looks a bit soft as well, want to make best use of the conditions. Lot of cricket to be played, both teams have played good cricket in the last two games. Big game for us here, we'll do what is expected of us. We'll play good cricket, we understand we have to capture some moments, we didn't do that in the previous game which is why we lost."

Cummins: "We would've bowled first too. Been a fantastic series so far. Really happy with last week, just about everyone got into the series, been a good lead-up. Preperations have been pretty good. Early finish in Adelaide allowed us to come up here early and get settled. Just one change, Scott Boland is out for Hazlewood."

Matches: 7

Australia: 5

Draw: 1

India: 1

• Toss on Day 1 at 5:20 am IST
• Start of Play: 5:50 am IST
• 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
• Final session: 10:50 am IST to 12:50 pm IST

Match: Australia vs India

Date: 14 Dec 2024 - 18 Dec 2024

Time: 6 am IST

Venue: Gabba, Brisbane