Australia were the better team throughout the series except for the Perth Test. Indian batters struggled to win the early battle and as a whole team failed to win the minor battles in crunch situations. Be it letting Lyon and Boland play nearly 100 balls for 11th wicket in MCG or those rash shots from middle order batters throughout the series, Indian team failed in important times.

Rohit Sharma as a leader failed as well, both with the bat and with game plan as well. Meantime, Pat Cummins was just on point every time and with the backing of bowlers like Starc, and Boland, had had the options to play around.

Jasprit Bumrah was the lone hero and needed support from another end, which he did not get most of the times. India, did try to fight back many times, but Australia deserved to reach the World Test Championship Final. They will face South Africa in the final on June 11 at Lord's. 

Heartbreak for Team India as they suffer back-to-back Test series losses for the first time in 10 years 🇮🇳🥲

A tough phase, but every setback is a setup for a stronger comeback! 💪#TeamIndia #TestCricket #Cricket #rohitsharma #rohitsharma #GautamGambhir #jaspritbumrah #BGT2024 pic.twitter.com/ETdlTBLzP0

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) January 5, 2025

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir opens up about the future of senior players in Test cricket 🇮🇳🗣️.#IndianCricket #GautamGambhir #TestCricket #TeamIndia #BGT2024 #RohitSharma𓃵 pic.twitter.com/fDxhb6w0HQ

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) January 5, 2025

32 wickets in the series at an outstanding average of 13.06 and a wicket in every 28.37 ball, Jasprit Bumrah rightfully won the Player of the Series Award. 

He has now became the first Asian player to win the Player of the Series award in Tests across three different SENA countries. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Scott Boland, who claimed his first-ever 10-wicket haul in test matches, was awarded the Player of the Match award. He took 31/4 and 45/6 in the test match.

India could only add 15 runs to their overnight total. Pat Cummins removed Washington Sundar's (12) stumps while Siraj (4) and Bumrah (0) were cleaned up in two balls gap. Scott Boland returned with 45/6. 

Though Jasprit Bumrah came out to bat, he did not come out to bowl with a back injury and with the ICC Champions Trophy coming in a few months time, this was probably the correct decision. 

With only 162 needed to win and reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Sam Konstas gave Australia a flying start. Konstas went back to dressing room after a quick 22 from17 balls. Australia till then had already added 39 runs in 3.5 overs.

Prasidh Krishna then followed up with two quick wickets. He first removed Marnus Labuschagne on 6 from 20 balls. A short of a length and Labuschagne could not ride on the bounce as he tried to play it towards the point. Jaiswal took a sharp catch to remove him.

Smith then on 9999 test runs, faced a vicious short ball from Krishna. Around off-stump and at the chest area, Smith could not control the ball and got and edge. Jaiswal took a diving catch at gully to make things interesting. Australia 58/3 and things were getting interesting. 

But, the 46 runs partnership between Travis Head and Usman Khawaja threw India out of the contest. Khawaja, on 41 from 45 balls, tried to pull a short of a length ball from Siraj. But, he could only manage an inside edge straight to Pant. They still needed 58 runs to win.

Post that, it was all about the debutant Beau Webster and Travis Head. Both played at nearly a run-a-ball strike rate and Indian bowlers could not find a solution to get him out. Stand-in captain Virat Kohli kept on bowling Siraj and Krishna but eventually it was an easy win for the Aussies.

They won the test match by 6 wickets and reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years. 

Day 3 of the test match starts and this can be the final day of the test match as well 

Another great day of test cricket comes to an end. India produced another fight with the ball. Though the openers tried their best, Scott Boland's four wickets helped Australia come back in the match.

Rishabh Pant tried his best with a 33-ball from 61 runs and India now lead by 145 runs. Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja are at the crease for India now. 

Round the wicket from Beau Webster. He hits the right area and produces the edge from Jadeja. The catch was going straight to Usman at first slip. But. Steve Smth from the second slip dived to his right to take the catch and missed it. 

Jadeja gets a life. Can he take advantage of that?

India 138/6. 

No strike rotation, no boundaries and we knew a shot would come. From nowhere, Nitish Kumar Reddy (4) looked to go over mid-off and only managed to get the toe of the bat. Cummins at mid-off takes a good catch. 

India are 129/6 and lead by 133 runs. 

• 28 Rishabh Pant vs SL Bengaluru 2022
• 29 Rishabh Pant vs Aus Sydney 2025 *
• 30 Kapil Dev vs Pak Karachi 1982
• 31 Shardul Thakur vs Eng The Oval 2021
• 31 Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Ban Kanpur 2024

The Aussie captain brought him into action and got the big fish.

Short, outside off stump and it was leaving Pant. Pant went for a big cut shot and the bounce got the better of him. Carey with the catch and Pant goes after 61 from 31 balls. He gave the injection the Indian team were looking for.

India 124/5, lead by 128. 

Rishabh Pant nearly broke his own record of fastest fifty in test cricket by an Indian. He gets this in 29 balls and the previous record was 28 balls. 

He smashed Boland and Beau Webster for fun from the first ball and now took the game against Mitchell Starc. Two huge sixes over mid-wicket and he was everyone on their feet. Do not know who had stopped him from not playing his natural game. 

India 124/4.

It was quite evident with the amount of help seamers were getting, that the Indian top order would struggle against the Aussie pacers. However, Rahul and Jaiswal gave India a good start with a 42-run opening partnership. Rahul, batting on 13, wanted to play the inswinger from Boland towards mid-wicket. But, he could not touch the ball. 

Five runs later, Boland cleaned up Jaiswal's stumps with a peach of a delivery. From round the wicket, the ball pitched on the middle and off-stump and left Jaiswal just enough to clip his pad and then hit the off-stump. There is nothing Jaiswal could have done with that. He went after a good-looking 22 from 35 balls.

Post Jaiswal's wicket, Virat Kohli came in running and looked positive from the first ball. An aggressive pull shot went for four and looked better defending the ball as well. But, it was Boland again who had the better of him. Around the off-stump, and Kohli (6) pushed at it again. Smith took a good catch to dismiss him as well. Kohli was livid with himself. 

Pant then came down the crease and hit Boland for a six, over long-on to clear his intentions. The southpaw batter did not hold himself up and wanted to disturb Boland's length. But, it was the slow medium pace of Beau Webster that enticed Shubman Gill to do a Pant. However, he only managed to get an inside edge and Carey took a brilliant catch to remove him.  

India struggling at 78/4 and lead by 82. 

Bumrah left the stadium in his training kit and probably went for a scan. He had bowled more than he thought he would have to throughout the series. And, if he has pulled up something, India will struggle in the second inning. 

Jasprit Bumrah has left the SCG: https://t.co/0nmjl6Qp2a pic.twitter.com/oQaygWRMyc

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 4, 2025

India were at best from the word go on Day 2. Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian captain started the fight for India as he nicked behind Marnus Labuschagne. Marnus was squared up and the snicko said he had touched the ball. DRS worked for India and Australia were 15/2.

Full and on the money. A perfect enticing outswinger from Mohammed Siraj and he had Sam Konstas caught out at gully. Jaiswal held on to the catch and Australia lost their third for 35.

Siraj was on a roll as he dismissed Travis Head early in his inning. Siraj cramped Head up with an inswinger and just wanted to on the on side of the ball. However, he just managed to produce a nick and Rahul took a good catch at second slip. Australia 39/4. 

Prasidh Krishna then joined the party as he broke the partnership between Steven Smith and Beau Webster. Around off-stump and a bit fuller from Krishna and the ball just moved enough to get the edge as Smith wanted to drive the ball. Rahul with another catch at second slip. Australia 96/5.

Krishna then cleared Alex Carey's stumps post lunch with an inswinger and the gap between Carey's bat and ball helped Krishna to use that inswinger well. Second wicket for him. Australia lost their sixth for 137.

The debutant Beau Webster then completed his fifty and he kept on fighting a lone battle for the home side. A fifty of 92 balls for the youngster. But soon, he lost his other partner Pat Cummins. This time it was Nitish Kumar Reddy who pitched a bit short around off-stump and Cummins just pushed at it to get the edge. Australia 162/7. 

Reddy struck again in his next over. A short ball from around the wicket and Starc threw his hands at the ball. A good diving catch from KL Rahul and it is at this time it looked like India will get the lead. 

Krishna then got the better of the debutant. A bit shorter in length and Beau Webster did not expect the ball to bounce that much. He only managed to produce the nick for Jaiswal to latch on at gully. 

Boland again added 9 runs batting at No. 11, while Australia added 15 for the last wicket. Siraj created an angle from over the wicket and Boland could not judge the inswinger. It went straight through him and India earned a lead of 4 runs. 

Siraj returned with 4 wickets for 51/3 while Krishna took three for 42. Burmah and Reddy took two wickets each for India. 

Here we go! Day 2 starts! 

Sam Konstas, playing only his second match, wanted to slow down the game from the bowler's end as India wanted to have an extra over at the end of the day. Konstas' behaviour made angry someone like Jasprit Bumrah, who is mostly cool with his actions. 

Bumrah returned the treatment with a wicket in the last ball of Day 1.

Round the wicket, Bumrah pitched the ball a bit up and made Usman Khawaja play the ball. The ball took the outside edge and KL Rahul took a low catch to give the momentum India needed at the end of the day. 

Australia 9/1. Konstats 7* (8), Khawaja 2 (10).

Rishabh Pant's dismissal made sure India will have another collapse in the middle. Pant, who was looking good on 40, went for a big pull shot against Boland but only managed to get a top edge. Cummins did the rest to grab the catch. India at that time were 120/5. 

Boland got rid of Nitish Kumar Reddy, the centurion from the last match in the next ball. On and around the off-stump, from a length the ball bounced a bit high and Nitish tried to follow the the ball and got the edge. India 120/6 and in trouble.

A few overs later, Ravindra Jadeja (26) also fell prey to an inswinger from Mitchell Starc. It was full and coming in and Jadeja wanted to play around his front pad. He had his head falling already and could not manage to get a touch to the ball. Jadeja went for the review but the ball was hitting the middle of the middle stump. India were 134/7 after that.

After that, a terrific DRS from Pat Cummins off his own bowling dismissed Washington Sundar on 14. A short ball from the Australian captain and Sundar wanted to hook the ball and got a faint edge while doing that. On-filed decision was not out but Australia went upstairs and got the wicket.

Bumrah then added a valuable 22 from 17 balls to take India to something honourable. For the last two wickets, India added 37 runs, which helped India to get to 185. Prasidh Krishna and Siraj added 3 each. 

For Australia, Boland was the pick of the bowlers, returning with 31/4. Starc took three wickets for 49.

Wait, what? 

Steve Smith, who is just three short of Ricky Ponting's record for most catches as a non-wicket-keeper, drops a straight one. 

Boland, round the wicket, bowled a bit fuller and Jadeja wanted to play towards the midwicket and got a thick edge. But, Smith could not judge the ball and missed it completely. 

Jadeja gets a life. 

India 76/4. 

Scott Boland gets the big fish. Pant had denied a single in the last ball and Kohli now poked one to the third slip. 

After showing a lot of discipline, Kohli now goes for the ball and gets a big edge. The debutant Webster moved to his left sharply to take a good catch. Kohli is back in the dressing room after a defensive 17 from 69 balls.

India 72/4. Can Pant and Jadeja rescue India?

Virat Kohli's stance in MCG vs SCG

Notes: In MCG, Kohli had an extensive open stance. The front foot is nearly the fifth stump down the leg side. That stance did not allow him to cover the off-stump, going across the stump.

1/2 pic.twitter.com/NKLDcmQ2eG

— Koushik Biswas (@kbofficial25) January 3, 2025

India started the inining just like the most of the test matches, losing the openers early.

KL Rahul was dimissed on 4 off 14 balls while trying to flick a half-volley. A soft dismissal and Sam Konstas with the catch. Mitchell Starc struck early. 

Post Rahul's dismissal, Yashasvi Jaiswal recieveda peach of a delivery from Scott Boland. Just around the off-stump, leaving him, and he edged that to the debutant Beau Webster. Jaiswal went for 10 from 26 balls. 

Virat Kohli was nearly gone on duck. But, Steve Smith despite making a great effort, could not hold on to the catch in slips. Post that, Kohli showed discipline, leaving the ball and playing odd shots against half-volleys. Shubman Gill on the other end also looked solid, except for one time when he nicked an inswinger from Pat Cummins. 

But, against the run-of-play, he tried to come out against Nathan Lyon and only managed to nick the ball to first slip at the stroke of lunch. Gill went after another good looking 20 from 64 balls. India 57/3 at lunch. 

India win the toss and decided to bat first.

In a shocking report, Sportz Point got to know that, Rishabh Pant might have to leave his place to young Dhurv Jurel who played in the first test at Perth, which India won. 

Gautam Gambhir and management were not happy with the way Pant got dismissed in the last two test matches, especially in the MCG test and he might lose his place despite being one of the best batters for India in the last two seasons. 

Shubman Gill will come back to the team. Gill was the first batter to enter the nets while Jurel was the last one to leave. 

Mitchell Marsh, who has not got going with bat and ball, will be replaced by Tasmanian Beau Webster. 

From many reports, we can hear that Indian captain Rohit Sharma has "opted out" from the Sydney test match and Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team. 

However, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir, who attended the press conference today, said that India will decide their playing XI after watching the pitch.

As is a tradition at the SCG, the away changeroom features the original calico rolls from the SCG scoreboard that stood at the back of the hill from 1924 to 1984.

Bedi and Yadav are the two names on display in the Indian dressing room for the New Year’s Test 🏏 pic.twitter.com/HucIujDcpn

— Sydney Cricket Ground (@scg) January 2, 2025

#PinkTest... officially launched 💗

It's the 17th Pink Test at the SCG, and it's made even more special this year with the news that the @McGrathFdn is taking their care to all cancers.

Buy a Virtual Pink Seat today: https://t.co/lly8d1fSOp pic.twitter.com/rSrfhEfGhy

— Sydney Cricket Ground (@scg) January 1, 2025

India have only won a lone test match at Sydney Cricket Ground. Bishan Singh Bedi was the captain of the India team as India managed a victory by an innings and 2 runs in 1978. 

Erapalli Prasanna took eight wickets in that match for India.

The Sydney Cricket Ground, which now hosts Cricket and Rugby. was established in 1851. One of the most iconic stadiums in cricketing history, SCG is known for its history and atmosphere. The ground now has a capacity of 48,000 people. 

Every year, this ground hosts the Pink-Test to create awareness about Brest Cancer, supported by the McGrath foundation. 

Fans from India can watch the match LIVE on Sony Sports Network Channel. Moreover, they can also stream the match LIVE on Disney+Hotstar with a paid subscription. 

Match: Australia vs India, 5th Test, India tour of Australia 2024-24

Date: 3rd January 2025- 7th January 2025

Time: 10.30 start, Lunch 12.30-13.10, Tea 15.10-15.30, Close 17.30 (Local time)

Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia

"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.