Boxing day India vs Australia 4th Test Match 2024 Live updates -Scores and Day 01 Stumps!
Stay updated with live ball-by-ball updates and highlights of the India vs Australia 4th Test match at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. Get real-time scores and live commentary of the pink-ball clash. Don’t miss the action-packed Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 live coverage!
Published Dec 26, 2024, 2:44 am IST
- Share on
Be winner today!
Get the latest cricket updates, Join our community
The fourth Test match between India and Australia is set to commence on December 26, 2024, at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This Boxing Day Test holds significant importance as the five-match series is currently tied at 1-1 after three matches, with valuable World Test Championship points at stake.
Pitch Report:
The MCG pitch has been a focal point in the lead-up to the match. Observations indicate a hint of green on the surface, suggesting that fast bowlers might find early assistance. However, as the match progresses, the pitch is expected to offer opportunities for batsmen, making it a balanced contest between bat and ball.
Historical Context:
The MCG has been a venue of mixed fortunes for both teams. In the previous series, the fourth Test at the MCG ended in a draw, with both sides showcasing formidable performances. Notably, Virat Kohli scored a century, and Ravichandran Ashwin achieved a five-wicket haul, highlighting the competitive nature of encounters at this ground.
Key Players to Watch:
-
India: Captain Rohit Sharma, who recently surpassed 17,000 international runs, will be pivotal at the top of the order. Additionally, the bowling duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin, both in exceptional form, are expected to challenge the Australian batting lineup.
-
Australia: Travis Head, coming off a stellar 140-run innings in the previous Test, will be a key figure in Australia's batting lineup. On the bowling front, the trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood have been in formidable form, posing significant threats to the Indian batsmen.
Match Significance:
A victory in this Test for either side would ensure they cannot lose the series, adding immense pressure and excitement to the contest. Both teams are expected to field their strongest XIs, aiming to gain an unassailable lead in the series.
Broadcast Information:
Cricket enthusiasts can catch the live action of the fourth Test match between India and Australia from December 26 to December 31, 2024. The first session for all matches is scheduled to begin at 5:00 AM IST.
As the cricketing world turns its attention to Melbourne, fans anticipate a thrilling encounter between two of the sport's powerhouses, each striving for supremacy in this closely contested series.
Dec 26, 2024, 12:42 pm IST
Day 1 Stumps Summary: Australia vs India, 4th Test, Melbourne
Australia finished Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test in a strong position, reaching 311/6 after 86 overs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Winning the toss and opting to bat, the hosts capitalized on a solid opening partnership of 50+ for the first time this series, courtesy of debutant Sam Konstas' fearless approach. Konstas attacked India's spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, laying a confident foundation.
Key contributions came from the experienced middle order, with Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steven Smith registering important half-centuries. Smith remains unbeaten on 68 (111), anchoring the innings alongside skipper Pat Cummins on 8 (17) at stumps.
India struck back in patches, with Akash Deep (2/59) and Bumrah (2/75) being the pick of the bowlers. However, the bowling unit struggled to string together consistent pressure, and Australia's batters took advantage.
Key Moments:
- Sam Konstas’ confident debut, taking on Bumrah.
- Middle-order stability provided by Khawaja, Labuschagne, and Smith.
- Alex Carey's dismissal late in the day (31 off 41), caught by Pant off Akash Deep.
Current Standings:
- Steven Smith (68) and Pat Cummins (8)** will resume Day 2.
- Australia will aim to push beyond 400, while India needs early breakthroughs to stay in the contest.
Key Stats:
- Partnership: 12 (24) - Smith & Cummins
- Last 10 overs: 30 runs, 1 wicket
- Bowling Highlights:
- Jasprit Bumrah: 21-7-75-2
- Akash Deep: 19-5-59-2
Australia takes the honors on Day 1. Can India turn the tide on Day 2? Stay tuned!
Dec 26, 2024, 9:46 am IST
Australia is 176/2 at Tea.
Washington Sundar takes the ball for the first time today and beats Labuschagne with a loopy delivery. Labuschagne responds brilliantly, coming down the track and driving the ball past mid-off for four runs. And that's Tea.
Dec 26, 2024, 9:46 am IST
Australia is 168/2 after 51 overs.
Bumrah maintains a consistent length, with Labuschagne defending the ball back to him. Labuschagne then pulls for a single, and Smith also adds a single to the total
Dec 26, 2024, 9:46 am IST
Australia is 165/2 after 50 overs.
Jadeja bowls, and Smith effortlessly pulls the ball past mid-on for a boundary. Just that four runs come from the over, as Jadeja continues to bowl at a quick pace
Dec 26, 2024, 9:46 am IST
Australia is 161/2 after 49 overs.
Bumrah squares up Labuschagne with a delivery on the third ball. Rohit looks ready to appeal, but Bumrah shakes his head. Bumrah then bowls a yorker, and Labuschagne manages a thick outside edge, sending the ball over gully for a double.
Dec 26, 2024, 9:46 am IST
Australia is 157/2 after 48 overs.
Jadeja bowls, and Smith gets off the mark with a well-timed drive toward cover for two runs. The over ends with just two runs added to the total.
Dec 26, 2024, 9:46 am IST
Dec 26, 2024, 9:46 am IST
Australia is 154/2 after 45 overs.
Bumrah is back into the attack and strikes! OUT! Khawaja is dismissed for 57, playing a soft shot to a half-tracker and hitting it straight to short midwicket. Bumrah shares a laugh as Khawaja walks back to the pavilion, giving India a crucial breakthrough.
Steve Smith walks in, with his trademark exaggerated movement across the stumps. Bumrah tests him with a delivery that induces an edge, but the ball falls short of the slips.
Dec 26, 2024, 9:46 am IST
Australia is 154/1 after 43 overs.
Siraj continues his bail-changing antics against Labuschagne but stays silent this time. Labuschagne responds in style, smashing a beautiful straight drive for four. He follows it up with another classy shot—a flick of the wrists guiding the ball toward midwicket for three runs.
Dec 26, 2024, 9:46 am IST
Australia is 146/1 after 42 overs.
Jadeja bowls a tidy over, conceding just three runs—Khawaja picks up a single, while Labuschagne adds two with a well-placed double.
Dec 26, 2024, 9:46 am IST
41st Over:
Siraj to Khawaja: Around the wicket, on the pads, clipped toward square leg for a single. Switching to over the wicket for Labuschagne, wide of the crease, targeting the stumps—solidly defended. A single comes off the fifth delivery. Khawaja retains the strike with another single off the final ball of the over
Dec 26, 2024, 2:44 am IST
Australia is at 140/1 after 39 overs.
Siraj continues. Australia has managed two consecutive fifty-plus partnerships today. The duo is comfortably rotating the strike, adding two more singles to the total in this over.
Tags:
BGT 2024-25BGT
