Australia vs India 4th Test Betting Tips - Can India live up Boxing Day hype at the MCG?

By Nikhil Kalro

23 Dec 2024

Nikhil Kalro 23 Dec 2024

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Australia vs India series tied 1-1 after rain interrupts 3rd Test
Australia gains confidence from strong batting performances
India aims to improve batting consistency for 4th Test

Australia and India clash at the MCG (Getty Images)

Australia vs India 4th Test Preview
Australia Form
Australia Team News
India Form
India Team News

Australia vs India 4th Test Preview

Rain dominated the third Test between Australia and India in Brisbane as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy remained tied at 1-1 after a draw.

In the little play that was possible in Brisbane, Australia were on top of the visitors but India clinched some key moments that would give them plenty of confidence going into the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

First, Australia scored 445 after being sent in to bat first, led by dominant hundreds by Travis Head (152 off 160 balls) and Steven Smith (101 off 190 balls), whose return to form would boost the morale of a shaky batting order.

Alex Carey also found some form and momentum with 70 off just 88 balls with seven fours and two sixes. Jasprit Bumrah continued his fine run of bowling form in Australia with another five-for as he finished with figures of 6 for 76.

India’s batters struggled against the precision and accuracy of Australia’s bowlers as they were restricted to 74 for 5. However, the visitors were buoyed by fighting, spirited fifties from KL Rahul (84 off 139 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (77 off 123 balls).

In trouble of being asked to follow on in tricky conditions, India were reliant on No. 11 Akash Deep to take them out of the mire. His 31 helped India avoid the follow-on to raucous cheers from the Indian camp.

Even though Australia declared their second innings at 89 for 7, there was not much play after as rain had the final say in Brisbane.

Australia Form

As this series has progressed, more of Australia’s problems have become decreasingly apparent. Even Australia’s batting concerns have now been eased with Smith’s hundred in Brisbane.

With the bowlers in fine rhythm, you would expect Australia to be lifted by the tradition and culture of the Boxing Day Test in front of a packed Melbourne crowd.

"Can't say I've ever been scared of momentum," Australia captain Pat Cummins said. "Don't really care about that. Think we can take a lot from this week. A couple of great partnerships.

"To be sent in on a wicket and score 450 and then be a bowler down and manage to bowl India out for 250 when the wicket was probably a bit better, think we can take a lot from that."

Australia Team News

A recurrence of an injury to Josh Hazlewood has ruled him out for the remainder of the series. Scott Boland is expected to slot straight in as his replacement.

Nathan McSweeney was omitted from the squad for the fourth Test with Sam Konstas expected to take his place.

India Form

India have some problems going into the fourth Test, particularly with their batting order. There has not been much from the top order, apart from a few performances.

While Virat Kohli, Rahul and Yashaswi Jaiswal have scored runs in this series, there have been too many faltering performances in between. Yet, India will back themselves to fight out of their batting worries.

"With Australia being ahead in the game, they didn't manage to get the result," India’s captain Rohit Sharma said. "For us to celebrate that, it was a little victory for us. There is no harm.

"We enjoy each and every moment. We saw two guys who were fighting for the team and we were really happy with that. So, we were celebrating how these two guys batted at the end.”

India Team News

With R Ashwin now having retired from international cricket, India will have only two spin-bowling options to choose from: Washington Sundar and Jadeja.

Still, India are unlikely to tinker too much with their playing XI from Brisbane.

Verdict

Australia v India 4th Test

India have got through the more tricky phase of this series. With games in Melbourne and Sydney, India will back themselves on pitches that may suit their batters a tad more.

They will also take plenty of confidence and momentum from that match-saving performance by the lower order in Brisbane.

India Win

Match Result

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