Big picture: Border-Gavaskar Trophy at stake
But they have also been curious days for visitors. Virat Kohli had a run-in with a journalist at Melbourne airport; Ravindra Jadeja only answered questions in Hindi at a press conference, which upset some people; and there were suggestions of a conspiracy when India was given pitches used for training at the MCG.
Meanwhile, in terms of the important things, they are still trying to find enough support for Bumrah and more runs from a failed top order. It doesn’t look like India can do much about the batting order in terms of personnel; instead, they hope that someone can follow KL Rahul’s example.
Australia’s top order remains under scrutiny amid the decision to drop Nathan McSweeney in favor of Konstas at such a crucial time in the series, while senior batsmen Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne remain short of runs. Travis Head, who will have a problem in the Test after modifying his quad in Brisbane, has been a game-changer, while Steven Smith’s hundred was timely and he was playing very fluidly in the end.
The fact that Scott Boland can return to a pitch where he has had so much success (led by his 6 for 7 against England in 2021-22) shows the depth of pace Australia have in their bowling. It may be what makes the difference, although don’t rule out Bumrah being able to win it almost alone for India, who haven’t lost a Test at the MCG since 2011.
forms guide
(last five matches completed, most recent first)
Australia DWLWW
India DLWLL
In the spotlight: Usman Khawaja and Virat Kohli
Team news: Konstas debut, Boland return; The question of India’s balance
Konstas’ debut was confirmed on Christmas Eve, while Boland will return in place of the injured Josh Hazlewood. Head passed a fitness test on Christmas Day after leaving the Gabba with a quadriceps strain.
Australia: 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Sam Konstas, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Alex Carey (week), 8 Pat Cummins (captain), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Scott Boland
Rohit Sharma’s batting position remains a hot topic and he did not confirm where he would be placed before the game, but India seems unlikely to break the opening pair. The other key debate is what to do at No. 8: stick with Nitesh Kumar Reddy, pick another fast specialist (which would lengthen the queue) or play Washington Sundar as an all-round alternative and opt for a 3-2 balance of pace and spin. ?
India (possible): 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Rohit Sharma (captain), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Nitesh Kumar Reddy/Washington Sundar, 9 Akash Deep, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed Siraj
Pitch and conditions: sweltering temperatures on Boxing Day
Statistics and curiosities
- Bumrah needs six wickets for 200 in Tests. If he did it at the MCG, in his 44th Test, he would be India’s second-fastest behind R Ashwin.
- Since the 2018-19 season, six Test centuries have been scored at the MCG, the fewest of any Australian venue to host more than one match.
- Australia’s current average in their top three is the lowest ever recorded for a home series of at least three Tests (note: includes Pat Cummins as nightwatchman in Perth)
Quotes
“Every game starts anew… different teams, different structures. I think both teams have similar challenges at the moment. How do you find the runs? Both bowling attacks have been on top. I don’t believe much in history being repeat.
australian head coach andres mcdonald I wasn’t reading much into past Boxing Day results
“After three Test matches, if you were to look at it as a whole, it’s a fair reflection of how both teams have played. Both teams have played solid cricket.”
Rohit Sharma about the status of the series
Andrew McGlashan is deputy editor of ESPNcricinfo