Series Tied at 1-1: India and Australia Gear Up for Crucial Melbourne Test
The fourth Test of the India-Australia series, tied at 1-1, begins tomorrow in Melbourne. Both teams aim for dominance in what promises to be a pivotal match in the series.
- India’s Recent Dominance in Melbourne: India has won the last two Tests at this venue and remains undefeated here for the past decade. Victories in 2018 and 2020 and a drawn Test in 2014 highlight India’s recent supremacy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
- Australian Home Advantage: Melbourne has traditionally been a fortress for Australia, with 67 wins out of 116 Tests played here. However, Pat Cummins and his team will need to overcome India’s momentum and their own challenges with injuries, including the absence of Josh Hazlewood.
- Key Players to Watch:
- India: Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj are expected to lead the charge with the ball. Indian batsmen will look to deliver long innings to support their bowlers.
- Australia: Scott Boland, Melbourne’s local hero, may return to the XI. Boland’s remarkable 6/7 performance in the 2021 Boxing Day Test against England still resonates among fans.
- Historical Significance: If India secures a win, it will be their third consecutive Test victory at Melbourne, matching feats achieved in 1977-81 and 2018-20. This would further cement India’s dominance in recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy encounters.
- Series Context: India won the first Test in Perth by 295 runs, while Australia bounced back in Adelaide with a 10-wicket victory. The Brisbane Test ended in a thrilling draw, setting the stage for a high-stakes Melbourne clash.
With both teams fighting hard for supremacy, the upcoming Test will be a critical decider in the series. India’s confidence is high, but maintaining focus and avoiding complacency will be key.