Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne (L) inpects the wicket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on December 25, 2024, ahead of the fourth cricket Test match between Australia and India starting December 26
| Photo Credit: AFP

Gurgling babies clinging to their mothers, children running with abandon, a group of women sitting on the grass and having a chat, and seasoned cricketers becoming all melting chocolate with their partners and off-spring, constituted a slice of utopia on Christmas Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). However, once Thursday (December 26, 2024) dawns, sport’s metaphor of a battle without guns will be on view as a packed venue witnesses the commencement of the fourth Test.

Pat Cummins and his men had a relaxed vibe on match-eve and as their families converged and they all got together for their annual Christmas lunch, cricket’s angst was temporarily kept at bay. The positivity was further reinforced when Travis Head, India’s nemesis so far in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, was declared fit for the contest. Head was grinning while sitting next to Marnus Labuschagne, and the latter played the chauffeur, and drove some of his teammates to the hotel.

The Indians, meanwhile, opted to rest but were also conscious about the series being at its tipping point at 1-1. The next fortnight that features two Tests will determine the outcome of a tussle that has acquired a distinct halo over the years even if it may not have the emotional resonance of the Ashes or the ones involving India and Pakistan.

Australia steps in with a comeback wind rustling through its ranks. Having put behind the Perth debacle, the host seized the Adelaide game and was holding the reins in Brisbane too before persistent rains and the Indian lower-order proved to be an insurmountable obstacle. But with mostly Head scoring the runs while Steve Smith and Labuschagne have belatedly joined the party, worries linger even if there are expectations over debutant Sam Konstas throwing some punches.

The bowling, though, has been incredible with Mitchell Starc and Cummins leading the way and even if Josh Hazlewood is out with injury, Scott Boland can be a handful as was evident in Adelaide. Countering this attack and piling on the runs is mandatory for Rohit Sharma’s men to prosper. So far, K.L. Rahul’s consistency and Bumrah’s potency have influenced India’s fortunes. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli scored tons at Perth but after that the two have been lukewarm, an attribute that has also derailed Shubman Gill, Rohit and Rishabh Pant.

Indian Test squad without Ashwin

This game at the MCG will mark a mini transition for the visitors. Rare is an Indian Test squad that does not have R. Ashwin. A regular presence since his debut against the West Indies in Delhi in 2011, the great off-spinner’s retirement after the third Test, marks the end of an era.

Washington Sundar and newly drafted Tanush Kotian get a chance to prove their mettle. Whether Ravindra Jadeja would be the lone spinner in the eleven or have company remains to be seen. A heat wave predicted for Thursday and a surface with its tinge of green would keep the rival captains mulling over their options at the toss.

The teams (from):

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, K.L. Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dhruv Jurel (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Tanush Kotian.

Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Travis Head (vice-captain), Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Sean Abbott, Jhye Richardson and Beau Webster.

Match officials: Umpires: Joel Wilson and Michael Gough; Third umpire: Saikat; Match referee: Andy Pycroft.

Match starts at 5 a.m. IST.

Sam Konstas and Beau Webster of Australia A walk from the ground after the game between Australia A and India A at Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 09, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. File
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Young Australian opener Sam Konstas cannot wait to take on the Indian bowlers in the Boxing Day Test and says he already has a “few plans” for Jasprit Bumarh and Co if he gets the nod in the fourth game of the Border-Gavaskar series here.

Teenage sensation Konstas was handed a maiden call-up as Australia dropped rookie opener Nathan McSweeney for the final two Tests against India.

Konstas’ inclusion follows a series of disappointing performances from the Australian top-order in the first three Tests, especially McSweeney.

“I’ve got a few plans against those (Indian) bowlers. Feeling like I’m moving really nice and hopefully I get that opportunity,” Konstas told Fox Cricket.

“I’m just going to react to the ball and show a bit of intent and put a bit of pressure back on the bowlers,” he added.

If Konstas, who turned 19 on October 2, is selected in the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test, he would become Australia’s youngest Test debutant since captain Pat Cummins, who was 18 years and 193 days old when he made his debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2011.

“It will be a huge honour debuting. A dream come true. I think it’s a sellout already (at the MCG),” he said.

“I’m very excited (to take on India). I want to be challenged.” Konstas was in the nets when Australian chairman of selectors George Bailey called him to break the news of his inclusion for the final two Tests.

“I was so thrilled. Called my parents straight away… Mum was in tears so I was telling her not to cry. Dad was super proud.

“It’s been an amazing journey. All the ups and down – very grateful for their sacrifices. They’ve been great support to me.” Konstas said McSweeney, the player he replaced in the squad, had congratulated him after hearing the news of his inclusion.

“Nathan McSweeney is a very good player in all three formats – he actually congratulated me this morning so we’re very close mates. I wish him all the best.” McSweeney has admitted to feeling “devastated” after being dropped for the last two Tests of the BGT Tests but vowed to work hard to reclaim his spot in the national team.

Konstas cannot recollect when he started playing cricket but admitted his father had played a huge role in his success in the sport.

“I think from memory (I started playing) maybe four or five years old. Dad would always train me with my older brother Billy and Johnny my twin.

“He’s retired now my dad. I think I’ve hurt his shoulder!” said Konstas.