🏏Australia vs India, 4th Test: Melbourne, 26 - 30 Dec 2024: Day 5 🏏 - Page 5

Interesting call from India to bring in Washington Sundar in place of Gill. Gill was struggling for rhythm in this series and has been left out in this game. The cricketing experts would say that a pacer would have been a better option but let's see. Sundar can make vital contributions with both bat and ball.

We all are in readiness at the MCG. The camera pans towards Sam Konstas and he is having a walk, looking a bit nervous on this momentous occasion. And now, Adam Gilchrist and Irfan Pathan hold the Border Gavaskar Trophy and bring it out to the centre. It is also the 100th Test match for match referee, Andy Pycroft. The players stride out to the middle for their respective National Anthems -

Four years ago, in the corresponding Test of that BGT, Shubman Gill made his debut, had some crucial luck early on and then went onto play a significant part in perhaps the greatest upset of all time. Four years later, he finds himself being dropped for the exact same Test. One of the reasons perhaps is the way he has been getting out. Three innings, two starts of 31 and 28 in the day-night Test, but out to three half-volleys, which is extremely rare for a Test batter. The lengths of the three balls that have got him out are 3.2m, 3.5m and 4.3m. These are proper half-volleys.Do the team management sense a technical issue with him there? Or do they feel they needed an offie should Travis Head be batting against the old ball, which is when he has really damaged India? India have gone at 5.65 an over at an average of 113 in the 20 overs leading to the new ball. And once they decided they needed an offie, did they decide they didn't want to lose neither of Jadeja and Reddy because they have been in the runs?

Here come Konstas and Khawaja. Huge amount of support for India at the MCG. Rohit has his team in huddle. Konstas gets a handshake form umpire Joel Wilson.

We all are in readiness at the MCG. The camera pans towards Sam Konstas and he is having a walk, looking a bit nervous on this momentous occasion. And now, Adam Gilchrist and Irfan Pathan hold the Border Gavaskar Trophy and bring it out to the centre. It is also the 100th Test match for match referee, Andy Pycroft. The players stride out to the middle for their respective National Anthems - India first and it will be followed by Australia. The anthems are done and we are ready to roll. The sun is starting to peep through the high rolling clouds. Bumrah is ready at the top of his mark and set to steam in. Three slips in and a gully in place. Konstas is ready to face the music. Here we go...

Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat first in the Boxing Day Test. Rohit Sharma said he will open again but the team sheet slotted him at No.3 with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal continuing to be at the top.

Australia are batting first in the Boxing Day Test with captain Pat Cummins winning the toss. India have made a big call, dropping Shubman Gill and bringing Washington Sundar as an extra spinner. Rohit Sharma also said that he will open the innings but he has been listed at No.3 in the team sheet. The stage is set for an electrifying encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as India and Australia lock horns in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The series is currently tied 1-1 after the rain-affected draw at the Gabba. The Indian team’s lineup and some key selection decisions are sure to make headlines as India look to regain momentum and stay in the hunt for a historic third-successive series win in Australia...

End of over 1

Maiden

AUS: 0/0

CRR: 0.00

Sam Konstas

0 (6b)

Usman Khawaja

0 (0b)

Jasprit Bumrah

1-1-0-0

Sam Konstas and Khawaja are at the crease. Sam Konstas is on strike. Bumrah will open the attack