BGT 2024-25: After a sensational draw outcome in the Brisbane test that leveled the series at a 1-1 scoreline, Australia and India are set for another high-voltage clash. The 4th test match of the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 is scheduled to commence on Boxing Day. Both teams are striving to secure a massive lead in the 5-match test series to improve their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.
The head-to-head stats prove that India’s record in Boxing Day tests at MCG (Australia’s traditional venue) has been nothing special with a mix of wins and losses. However, you can expect few changes in the playing XI of both teams compared to the previous game.
Let’s delve deeper into this preview by exploring the session timings to watch the live action of the match from your convenient location through the best online streaming and TV channels. Also, it would be interesting to find out the head-to-head stats, weather forecast, and pitch conditions that would help predict the winner of the upcoming test match.
Schedule and Venue for AUS vs IND Boxing Day Test BGT 2024-25
| Date and Day | December 26 (Thursday) to December 30 (Monday) |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) |
| Timings | 05:00 am IST |
| 10:30 am LOCAL | |
| 11:30 pm GMT (December 25) | |
| Seating Capacity | 1,00,000 |
Session Timings for Australia vs India Boxing Day Test BGT 2024-25
| Session | Starting and Completing Time | |
| IST | AEDT | |
| First Session | 05 am to 07 am | 10:30 am to 12:30 pm |
| Lunch Break | 07 am to 07:40 am | 12:30 pm to 01:10 pm |
| Second Session | 07:40 am to 09:40 am | 01:10 pm to 03:10 pm |
| Tea Break | 09:40 am to 10 am | 03:10 pm to 03:30 pm |
| Third Session | 10 am to 12 pm | 03:30 pm to 05:30 pm |
Head-to-Head Stats of Australia vs India at MCG
Out of 110 test matches, 30 of them concluded with draw outcomes whereas India secured 33 wins and Australia 46 wins, and it would be interesting to delve deeper into the head-to-head stats of AUS vs IND tests at MCG:
| Overall Test Matches Played Between Australia and India at MCG | 14 |
| Matches Won by India in Melbourne | 4 |
| Matches Won by Australia in Melbourne | 8 |
| Draw Result | 2 |
| Highest Total of IND vs AUS at MCG | AUSTRALIA: 575-8 (declared) in 128 overs (in February 1948) |
| Lowest Total of IND vs AUS at MCG | INDIA: 67-10 in 24.2 overs (in February 1948) |
| Leading Run Scorer in IND vs AUS tests in Melbourne | Ricky Ponting (AUSTRALIA): 505 Runs |
| Leading Wicket Taker in IND vs AUS tests in Melbourne | Bruce Reid (AUSTRALIA): 18 wickets |
| Highest individual Score at IND vs AUS tests in Melbourne | Ricky Ponting (AUSTRALIA): 257 runs out of 458 balls with 25 fours (on 28th December 2003) |
| Best Bowling Spells of IND vs AUS tests in Melbourne | Garth McKenzie (AUSTRALIA): 7-66 in 21.4 overs (on 1st January 1968) |
Weather Forecast for 4th Test BGT 2024-25
Here is the weather forecast report for the 5-day test match between Australia and India for the 4th test of BGT 2024-25 starting from Boxing Day on December 26 that indicates the possibility of rain interrupting the sessions frequently:
| Match Day | Date and Day | Temperature | Wind Speed | Chances of Rain |
| Day 1 | December 26 (Thursday) | 30 °C to 34 °C | 35-50 km/hr | 50% |
| Day 2 | December 27 (Friday) | 18 °C to 21 °C | 20-30 km/hr | 70% |
| Day 3 | December 28 (Saturday) | 19 °C to 24 °C | 15-25 km/hr | |
| Day 4 | December 29 (Sunday) | 18 °C to 25 °C | 10% | |
| Day 5 | December 30 (Monday) | 21 °C to 28 °C | Less than 5% |
Pitch Conditions at MCG for 4th Test BGT 2024-25
The MCG curator Matt Page recently revealed that the pitch conditions would be more pacer-friendly than spinner-friendly. Mainly, fast bowlers are benefitted from the new ball provided with the 6 mm grass on the pitch. At the same time, spinners have the chance to play a crucial role as the game progresses.
Toss Winning Captain’s Expected Decision in Boxing Day Test BGT 2024-25
The toss-winning captain would certainly decide to bowl first at MCG and restrict their opponent’s total as low as possible with the new ball having the possibility to grab wickets instantly in the early sessions.
Possible Playing XI Combination for AUS vs IND 4th Test BGT 2024-25
Here is the list of Indian and Australian cricket team’s predicted playing XI for the 4th test in the BGT 2024-25:
India’s Predicted Playing XI for Boxing Day Test BGT 2024-25:
| S.No | Player | Role |
| 1. | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Right-Handed Batters |
| 2. | KL Rahul | |
| 3. | Virat Kohli | |
| 4. | Dhruv Jurel | Right-handed batter and Wicketkeeper |
| 5. | Rishabh Pant | Left-handed batter and Wicketkeeper |
| 6. | Rohit Sharma (Captain) | Right-Handed Batter |
| 7. | Ravindra Jadeja | All-Rounder (Left-Handed Batter and Spin Bowler) |
| 8. | Nitish Kumar Reddy | All-Rounder (Right-Handed Batter and Fast Bowler) |
| 9. | Mohammed Siraj | Fast Bowlers |
| 10. | Jasprit Bumrah | |
| 11. | Akash Deep |
Australia’s Predicted Playing XI for Boxing Day Test BGT 2024-25:
| S.No | Player | Role |
| 1. | Usman Khawaja | Left-Handed Batter |
| 2. | Sam Konstas | All-rounder (Right-Handed Batter and Spin Bowler) |
| 3. | Marnus Labuschagne | Right-Handed Batter |
| 4. | Steven Smith | |
| 5. | Travis Head | Left-Handed Batter |
| 6. | Mitchell Marsh | All-rounder (Right-Handed Batter and Fast Bowler) |
| 7. | Alex Carey | Left-handed batter and Wicketkeeper |
| 8. | Pat Cummins | Fast Bowler |
| 9. | Mitchell Starc | |
| 10. | Nathan Lyon | Spin Bowler |
| 11. | Scott Boland | Fast Bowler |
Where to Watch AUS vs IND Boxing Day Test BGT 2024-25 Live? Online Streaming Platforms and TV Channels
Cricket fans from India and Australia can prefer these best live-streaming platforms and TV channels to catch the live action of the Boxing Day test in the BGT 2024-25:
- INDIA:
- Live Streaming Platform: Disney + Hotstar
- TV Channels: Star Sports Network
- AUSTRALIA:
- Live Streaming Platform: Fox Cricket, Channel 7
- TV Channels: Kayo Sports, 7Plus
Who will win the India vs Australia 4th Test BGT 2024-25? Final Prediction
Despite losing several test matches to Australia at MCG, India has a strong chance of winning the forthcoming 4th test match of the BGT 2024-25. This is because the visitors have been successful in their last three tours during the Boxing Day Tests having won two of them in 2018 and 2020 as well as a draw outcome in 2014. Moreover, they haven’t lost any test to Aussies in Melbourne since 2012.
On the other side, the Australians would be cautious not to face hattrick of test losses to India at MCG and would be keen to continue with their powerful batting performance.
Finally, the stage is perfectly set for an electrifying IND vs AUS battle that promises to open a new chapter in test cricket history.