In the absence of Pat Cummins, former Australian captain Steven Smith is set to return to the baggy greens’ leadership role for the upcoming away Test series against Sri Lanka. 

Currently, Pat Cummins-led Australia are hosting India in the five-match Test series Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, while the last Test will begin on Friday (January 3) at Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia are leading the Test series by 2-1, whereas the visitors India can only draw the series with their best possible result in the Sydney Test.  

Australia tour of Sri Lanka

While a draw result in the Sydney Test will end India’s hope to reach the ICC World Test Championship Final for the third straight time, Australia need only a win or two draw results in their last three Tests of the cycle. After completing the ongoing home Test series, Australia will travel to Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series and a solitary ODI. Galle will host both the Tests from January 29 and February 6, respectively.  

The two-match Test series in Sri Lanka will also be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. It is only valuable if Australia fail to win the Sydney Test, as the Sydney Test win will help them to secure their place for the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship Final, even if they lose the Test series in Sri Lanka by 2-0. 

See Also: Pat Cummins Reveals Australia’s Strategy to Tackle Jasprit Bumrah in Sydney Test

Pat Cummins likely to miss Sri Lanka tour

Australian captain Pat Cummins is likely to miss the Sri Lanka tour due to the birth of his second child. In the absence of a regular skipper, the Test vice-captain Steven Smith is likely to take the leadership role of the team for the upcoming tour. 

Steven Smith's last Test captaincy was in India

While Smith last time led the Australian side in the Bristol ODI last September, his last Test captaincy was during the 2023 Ahmedabad Test against the hosts India. After the controversial 2018 Cape Town Test, where the Sandpapergate incident happened, Smith has led the Aussie Test team in four games.​

The thrill of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 continues on the fourth day of the fourth Test in Melbourne. On the fourth day, the former Indian captain Virat Kohli showed his leadership brain once again, which led to Steven Smith’s dismissal at a crucial time. 

By bowling out the visitors India for 369 runs in the second innings of the Melbourne Test, the hosts Australia have earned a healthy lead of 105 runs before beginning their second innings of the Test match. 

However, the Australian batters struggled against the Indian pacers on the fourth-day pitch of the Melbourne Test as the Aussies were struggling at 91/6.

Also Watch: Rishabh Pant brilliantly runs out Mitchell Starc

Steven Smith scored 13 runs

Steven Smith, who scored crucial 140 runs in the first innings of the Test match, was dismissed for 13 runs off 41 balls in Australia’s second innings. While he was an important name in the Test match, the Indian players were desperate to take his wicket very quickly. 

Virat Kohli: Kone se Kone se

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli shouted to instruct the bowlers how to deliver Smith. It worked really well as Smith lost his wicket cheaply. 

The stump mic took Kohli’s voice where he was instructing the bowler, “Kone se Kone se, Har ball kone se, usko pasand hain kone se.” It meant that using the corner of the crease. 

Later, the former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta clarified that it helped to deceive the batter as it was generally meant for coming into the wicket. However, Siraj produced a widish delivery to Smith, and the former Aussie captain fell into the trap by losing his wicket. 

Virat 🤝 Siraj

Kohli's "𝙆𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙚" plan worked like magic as Siraj sent Smith back to the dugout! 🤩#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 4th Test, Day 4 | LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/xNP2jCXMrM

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 29, 2024

From 80/2 to 91/6

This important dismissal triggered a crucial batting collapse in the Aussie middle order. Before that dismissal, Australia were at 80/2. Suddenly, the hosts were struggling at 91/6 as they lost four wickets for just 11 runs. 

The second day of the Melbourne Test was once again full of action between the hosts Australia and the visitors India. After Steven Smith’s memorable century, the hosts have set the game nicely for them by picking late wickets. 

The second day of the Test match started Australia’s first innings total of 311/6. Former Aussie skipper Steven Smith, who started the day at 68 not out, got strong support from the present skipper Pat Cummins. 

Also Watch: Virat Kohli fights with fan after out vs Australia in 4th Test at MCG

Steven Smith scored 140 runs, Pat Cummins fired with 49 runs

Smith and Cummins had a crucial 112-run partnership for the seventh wicket to grip the game. Smith completed his 34th Test century in 167 balls. Cummins scored 49 off 63 balls with the help of seven fours before Ravindra Jadeja dismissed him.

Mitchell Starc also had a good cameo of 15 runs off 36 balls (one six) and, more importantly, added another 44-run partnership for the eighth wicket. 

In the first two overs of the second session of the second day, Starc was bowled by Jadeja, and Steven Smith lost his wicket unluckily against Akash Deep after scoring 140 off 197 balls with the help of 13 fours and three sixes.

Also, Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland (6*) had a 19-run partnership for the last wicket as Jasprit Bumrah ended the innings with a four-wicket haul (4/99) after dismissing Lyon for 13 runs.

India lost two quick wickets

As expected, captain Rohit Sharma opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, the Indian skipper was caught out in the second over of the innings after scoring only three off five balls. Aussie skipper Pat Cummins picked up that wicket. 

Then, KL Rahul and Jaiswal had a 43-run partnership before Cummins bowled Rahul for 24 runs. Virat Kohli then set up a solid partnership with Jaiswal for the third wicket.

Jaiswal and Kohli had century partnership before late collapse

Jaiswal and Kohli already built up a century partnership as they were almost ending the day confidently with two set batters. Jaiswal was going strongly after completing his half-century in 81 balls. 

However, in the late moment of the day, Jaiswal was run out horribly due to a complete misunderstanding with Kohli. Aussies dismissed Jaiswal for 82 runs off 118 balls, who hit 11 fours and one six.

While Akash Deep came as a nightwatchman, Kohli lost his wicket to Scott Boland after seven balls of Jaiswal’s dismissal. Kohli scored 36 off 86 balls with four fours. Boland then dismissed Akash Deep (0) in his next over.

India ended the second day of the Melbourne Test at 164/5. While Rishabh Pant was not out for six runs, Ravindra Jadeja scored four runs. At the stumps of the day, India were trailing by 310 runs.

Australian batter Steven Smith hit centuries in back-to-back Test matches. With the help of a century in the Melbourne Test, Smith set up a new all-time Test record for a batter against India. 

After scoring 101 runs in the first innings of the Gabba Test, where Steven Smith also scored four runs in the third innings of the Test match, the Aussie right-handed batter scored 140 runs off 197 balls in the first innings of the Melbourne Test with the help of 13 fours and three sixes. 

Watch: Centurion Steven Smith bowled in rare unlucky way

Steven Smith records most Test centuries against India

The century in the first innings of the Melbourne Test was Smith’s 11th Test century. With this Test hundred, Smith set a new record for most Test centuries by any batter against India. English cricketer Joe Root was the first batter to reach the 10 Test centuries milestone against India.

Most Test centuries against India

Joint fifth most Test centuries against a team

With his 11th Test century against India, Steve Smith reached the joint fifth place of the most Test centuries record by a batter against one team. Smith himself has the record of 12 Test centuries against England.

Most Test centuries by a batter against one team 

Steven Smith recorded 34th Test century

With his 34th Test century, Steven Smith is in second place for most Test centuries by any Australian batter. Only the legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has more Test centuries with 41 Test hundreds. 

Most Test centuries by an Australian batter

On the other hand, Smith’s 34th Test hundred helped him to move into the joint seventh place in the list of most Test centuries record.

Most Test centuries

Former Australian captain Steven Smith’s century guided the Australian team to a big first innings total against India in the Melbourne Test. However, Smith was bowled in a bizarre fashion, which we haven’t experienced before. 

It was the only third ball of the second session of the Melbourne Test, where Steven Smith lost his wicket for 140 runs. The right-handed batter stepped down against the Indian pacer Akash Deep and played a shot, which hit his pad and traveled to the wicket to knock off a bail. It was one of the unluckiest dismissals, and it happened to the best batter of the innings. Clearly, he was disappointed with that dismissal.

It was Akash Deep’s second wicket of the innings, who dismissed the wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey for 31 runs with the second new ball.

Watch: "Gully cricket khel raha hain kya", Captain Rohit Sharma hilariously scolds Jaiswal

Steven Smith's dismissal

Oh dear Steve Smith!

That is as bizarre as it gets 😳 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ZDUWggwBq4

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2024

Steven Smith recorded centuries in back to back Test match

While the first four Aussie batters scored 50+ runs in the first innings of the Melbourne Test, Smith is the only one of them to score a century. After some poor batting performances, the right-handed batter has finally found his form as he scored centuries in back-to-back Test matches. After scoring 101 runs in the Gabba Test, where he also scored four runs in the third innings, Smith completed his 34th Test century in style. 

Smith completed his 34th Test hundred in 167 balls. In his 140-run knock from 197 balls, which helped the hosts to score 474 runs in the first innings of the Melbourne Test, Smith hit 13 fours and three sixes. 

While Smith is now in joint seventh place in the most Test centuries list, his latest Test century was his 11th Test hundred against India, which is also a new record for most Test centuries against India. The right-handed batter is just 51 runs away from completing 10,000 Test runs, which has been achieved by 14 players, including three Australians. 

The fourth day of the Brisbane Test was thrilling and entertaining despite multiple rain interruptions. At the end of the day, India just managed to avoid the follow-on, which pushed the game toward a lame draw, except for any big surprises on the rain-forecast fifth day. 

In the reply to Australia’s first innings total of 445 runs, India started the fourth day at 51/4. The drama started from the first ball of the sunshine fourth day as the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins generated an edge from the opener KL Rahul’s bat, but Steven Smith dropped that simple catch at the slip. It hurt the hosts as Rahul played a memorable knock. 

KL Rahul scored 84; Josh Hazlewood can't bowl more in the Test

Although the Indian captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 10 runs after setting a 30-run partnership for the fifth wicket, Rahul got strong support from experienced Ravindra Jadeja, who is playing his first Test of the series. 

Also, Australia soon hit hard with massive injury news as Josh Hazlewood only managed to bowl one over of the day. While he went back to the dressing room early, it was later confirmed that he would miss the remainder of the Test match due to a right-sided calf strain. It has forced the hosts to carry on with one key bowler short. As a result, Mitchell Marsh delivered two overs, and Travis Head bowled one over. 

Rahul and Jadeja had a 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket. After completing his half-century in 85 balls, Rahul continued his incredible controlled innings. In the long first session, Rahul was ultimately dismissed after an incredible catch by Steven Smith at slip in Nathan Lyon’s over. 

Ravindra Jadeja scored 77 runs

After Rahul was dismissed with 84 off 139 balls (eight fours), Jadeja controlled the innings with the in-form lower-order batter Nitish Kumar Reddy. Once again, Nitish showed his presence of mind in the difficult game situation by supporting Jadeja with his patient batting. Before he was bowled by Cummins for 16 runs, which he scored after facing 61 balls, he had a valuable 53-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Later, Mohammed Siraj lost his wicket for one run, while Jadeja fought hard. After completing his 50 runs off 82 balls, Jadeja scored 77 off 123 balls (six fours and one six) before he was caught out at deep square leg. When Jadeja went to the dressing room, India were struggling at 213/9, and they were still 33 runs short to avoid the follow-on. 

Bumrah and Akash Deep surprised with the bats

While the vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah held the wicket patiently, the no.11 batter Akash Deep stunned by his batting performance. The last batter hit a four at the crucial time, which ultimately became the last over of the day, and confirmed India’s avoidance of the follow-on. After rescuing the visitors, Akash Deep slammed a sixer to Cummins, and after the next ball, bad light stopped the game. Soon, the day was also called off. 

Watch: Kohli-Gambhir celebrate together after Akash Deep's heroic save

India scored 252/9 at the end of the day. While Bumrah scored 10 not out off 27 balls with one sixer, Akash Deep scored 27 not out off 31 balls with two fours and one six. They already set a 39-run partnership in 54 balls for the unbroken 10th wicket. 

Among the Australian bowlers, skipper Pat Cummins took four wickets (4/80), while Mitchell Starc bagged three wickets (3/83). Josh Hazlewood (1/22) and Nathan Lyon (1/54) have also taken one wicket each.

Indian opener KL Rahul played a memorable knock during India’s first innings of the Brisbane Test. However, the right-handed batter’s unforgettable innings ended after the former Australian captain Steven Smith’s stunning catch. 

In reply to Australia’s first innings total of 445 runs in the Brisbane Test, under pressure India started the crucial fourth day at 51/4. Starting the day at 33 not out, Rahul was dropped on the first delivery of the day as Steven Smith dropped a sitter on the skipper Pat Cummins’ delivery. That drop cost the hosts heavily as Rahul played one of his memorable Test innings.

After the first delivery on the fourth day, Rahul looked solid with the bat. Although captain Rohit Sharma was out for 10 runs, Rahul had a 30-run partnership with the skipper. Then, Rahul had a crucial sixth-wicket partnership with Ravindra Jadeja. 

Watch: Anurag Thakur got a life in a friendly match against Kiren Rijiju

KL Rahul completed his half-century in 85 balls

While the Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has brought fresh injury concerns, Rahul and Jadeja controlled most of the first session of the fourth day. Rahul completed his half-century in 85 balls. 

Rahul completely controlled the innings while Jadeja provided the perfect support to him. Sadly, Rahul was out as Smith took a blinder to deny Rahul’s special Test hundred.

Rahul scored 84 runs before stunning dismissal by the fielder Steven Smith

In the 43rd over of the innings, while the off-spinner Nathan Lyon was bowling, Rahul set up a tough catch for the only slip fielder Smith. While the reaction time was tiny, Smith dived to successfully grab that opportunity. The Indian right-handed batter scored 84 off 139 balls with the help of eight fours. 

WHAT A CATCH FROM STEVE SMITH!

Sweet redemption after dropping KL Rahul on the first ball of the day.#AUSvIND | #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/d7hHxvAsMd

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2024

At lunch, India scored 167/6 as they were still 79 runs behind to avoid the follow-on. At the end of the first session, Jadeja was not out at 41 off 77 balls with four fours, and Nitish Kumar Reddy was not out at seven runs. 

Despite a good start, the visitors India are under pressure at the stumps on the second day of the Brisbane Test as Steven Smith and Travis Head’s centuries set the full control of the game for the hosts Australians.   

After the rain-interrupted opening day of the Gabba Test, which experienced only 80 balls, Australia started the second day at 28/0. 

India controlled the first session

In the first half an hour, both the Aussie openers Usman Khawaja and newcomer Nathan McSweeney were dismissed by the Indian star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Nitish Kumar Reddy picked up the third wicket by dismissing Marnus Labuschagne, which came after the Aussie batter’s hilarious bails swap moment with Mohammed Siraj. At that moment, Australia scored 75/3. 

Steven Smith and Travis Head replied strongly

Hosts dominated in the second session, where Steven Smith and Travis Head added 130 runs in 27 overs without losing their wickets. After Head’s naturally aggressive batting, Smith came out from the pressure and set a great example with his familiar batting. 

After completing his half-century in 71 balls, Head scored his ninth Test century in 115 balls. It was his second century in this Test series, which came in consecutive innings. 

Meanwhile, Smith completed his first 50 runs in 128 balls and then completed his century in 185 balls. It was his first Test century after 24 innings. While it was his 33rd Test century, he surpassed legendary Steve Waugh to record the second most Test centuries by an Australian batter. While Smith recorded the joint most Test centuries against India with English legend Joe Root by recording his 10th Test hundred, he also set a new record for most international centuries against India with his 15th international century. 

See Also: Mohammed Shami included in Bengal squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy

Jasprit Bumrah shined once again

However, Jasprit Bumrah once again put the visitors in the game by taking wickets with the second new ball. While Smith lost his wicket for 101 runs (12 fours) as he produced a thick edge to the slip, captain Rohit Sharma grabbed a superb catch to end the frustrating partnership. Before that wicket, Smith and Head had a partnership of 241 runs for the fourth wicket.

Soon, Bumrah dismissed Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head in a single over. While Marsh only managed to score five runs, Head lost his wicket only after scoring valuable 152 runs off 160 balls (18 fours). It was Head’s 140+ runs in back-to-back Test innings. 

Alex Carey and the skipper Pat Cummins had a 58-run partnership for the seventh wicket before Cummins was caught behind in Mohammed Siraj’s over after scoring 20 runs. 

Australia scored 400+ total after 16 Test innings

Australia ended the second day of the Gabba Test at 405/7. While Carey scored 45 not out off 47 balls with five fours and one six, Mitchell Starc was not out at seven runs. They have set up a 20-run partnership for the unbroken eighth wicket. It was Australia's first 400+ total after 16 Test innings, including 12 completed or declared innings.

Jasprit Bumrah completed his 12th Test five-wicket haul by ending the day with the bowling figures of 25-7-72-5. 

While the in-experienced Indian batting has been struggling, Australia have the headache of poor weather forecast for the next three days of the Test match. As the series is in the 1-1 level position, this third Test of the five-match Test series is very crucial for both teams, who can afford a draw but not a defeat.

Australian star Steven Smith has finally found his form by scoring a memorable Test century against India in the first innings of the Brisbane Test.

After Indian captain Rohit Sharma chose to bowl first in the Brisbane Test, the hosts Australia were once struggling at 75/3 as the Indian pacers got control of the match. However, once the ball got older, Steven Smith and in-form Travis Head enjoyed the batting as the Indian bowlers had a hard day.

Smith and Head had a 241-run partnership for the third wicket, where both the batters scored valuable centuries to put the hosts into a commendable position. 

Although Smith was struggling in the initial moment, Head eased the situation by playing his natural innings. Once the ball became old, Smith confidently batted and returned to his familiar form. While he scored his first 50 runs in 128 balls, he completed his hundred in 185 balls.

Watch: Mohammed Siraj's bails swap trick brings Marnus Labuschagne's wicket quickly

Steven Smith surpassed Steve Waugh

After failing in 24 innings, Smith finally added one Test century to his tally. His previous Test century was recorded in June 2023, when the Australian batter recorded his 32nd Test century at Lord's. 

It was Smith's 33rd Test century, which helped him to surpass the former star Steve Waugh (32 Test centuries) and climb to the second place in the list of most Test centuries by an Australian batter. Only the legendary batter Ricky Ponting is on top of him with 41 Test centuries. 

Smith equaled the record for most Test centuries against India

Also, it was Smith’s 10th Test century against India. After the English cricketer Joe Root, who already recorded 10 Test centuries against India, Smith became the second batter to record 10 Test hundreds against India. 

Smith set a new world record against India

It was Smith's 15th century in international cricket against India. With his latest hundred, Smith set a new world record for most international centuries against India. Former Australian batter Ricky Ponting previously held the record with 14 international hundreds against India.  

While the key pacer Josh Hazlewood has already been ruled out from the upcoming Adelaide Test against India, the tense Australian camp has got new major headaches.   

Adelaide Oval is set to host the important day-night pink-ball Test match between Australia and India from December 6. It will be the second Test of the five-match Test series of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where the visitors India are leading the series by 1-0 after winning the Perth Test by 295 runs.

Pacer Josh Hazlewood has already been ruled out from the Adelaide Test due to a low-grade left-side injury. Moreover, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh’s fitness has raised questions about his availability for the upcoming Adelaide Test.  

See Also: Travis Head names one of the greatest pacers of the game

Steven Smith was injured at practice

Now, according to the media reports, the experienced Australian batter Steven Smith got an injury during a recent practice. In the net practice, Smith was reportedly batting with Marnus Labuschagne when one ball stuck on Smith’s right hand. Soon, the team physio attended to check the former Aussie captain’s issue. Smith's net session was cut at that moment. 

Later, Smith returned to the net only for a short period. However, there is no official news or assessment about Smith’s new injury. Australia are surely hoping for no more major injury issues. 

Marnus Labuschagne was also hurt

On the other hand, Marnus Labuschagne, who is under pressure for his poor batting form, also got an injury when the assistant coach Daniel Vettori’s one rising delivery hit him. However, soon he prepared himself to continue his batting practice. 

The upcoming Adelaide Test will be the day-night pink ball Test match. It will be Australia's 13th pink-ball Test match. After winning all their first 11 pink-ball Tests, Australia finally suffered their first pink-ball Test defeat last January when West Indies beat them by eight runs in the Gabba Test.