India's most awaited Test consignment is less than a month away. India and Australia are scheduled to play the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 starting 22 November. Pat Cummins, the Australian skipper is set to present a welcome to the Indian team in the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy. 



The defending champions, India, won the BGT 2022-23 at home by 2-1, their fourth consecutive trophy win. In the history of the BGT, India has won the series 10 times against Australia's 5 times, with one series ending in a draw. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/03/Border-Gavaskar-series-1.jpg" alt="India Tour of Australia 2024: List of venues announced for the 2024 Border Gavaskar series" class="wp-image-128021" /></figure>



This series marks Pat Cummins' first as Test captain against India. Cummins has had notable success leading Australia against India, dealing India two tough defeats in major tournament finals in 2023. 



Under his leadership, Australia triumphed over India in the World Test Championship final, followed by a victory in the ODI World Cup title clash against Rohit Sharma?s squad in November.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/06/ICC-WTC-Final-2023-1.jpg" alt="ICC WTC Final: Despite Rohit Sharma's criticism, ICC announce World Test Championship 2025 Final to be held in England, WTC 2027 as well" class="wp-image-114524" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: ICC/Twitter</figcaption></figure>



Cummins is well aware of the challenge India brings to the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. When asked about his expectations for the pitch conditions as Australia hosts India, he couldn?t resist making a playful remark, hinting at the intriguing battle that lies ahead.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PAT CUMMINS on Pitches</h2>



During an interview with?The Grade Cricketer, Pat Cummins said; "I wish, if I had my way, the pitches would be looking like those bushes behind you (laughs).?



?Unfortunately, I don't have any say so we will wait and see. Last couple of seasons, the wickets have been awesome. It feels like if someone has scored a hundred, they have batted the house down. Taken them a few sessions whereas my first couple of years, some of those wickets were so flat,? Pat Cummins added.



When asked about his opinion on the competition of bat and ball, he said, "I just hope there is a bit of balance between bat and ball. I think some of those Indian spinning wickets as well, I think that last tour, Delhi we should have won, it just get the teams close to each other if you get the wickets like that, but you don't listen to our players complaining about those types of wickets.?



All and all, India are going to face a tougher challenge this time around in Australia. 



Also read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-nz-india-ends-day-1-on-a-perfect-note-gautam-gambhir-is-a-proud-coach-as-sundar-picks-a-career-best-7-for-59-as-he-spins-out-kiwis/">IND vs NZ: India ends Day 1 on a perfect note</a>



SOURCE- <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/pat-cummins-welcome-present-for-rohit-sharma-if-i-had-it-my-way-the-pitches-would-look-like-those-bushes-behind-you-101729787197065.html">CRICit by Hindustan Times</a>

"If I had my way, the pitches would be..." Pat Cummins Drawing Up for The Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

if-i-had-my-way-the-pitches-would-be-pat-cummins-drawing-up-for-the-border-gavaskar-trophy-2024-25

Jasprit Bumrah bowled the worst spell of his career in the Tests during the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The match between the teams is taking place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. 
Jasprit Bumrah was taken for a lot of runs in the Tests against Australia. The fast bowler returned with the figures of 4/99 in the 28.4 overs. This saw him achieving a wanted record to his name as, for the first time, he gave away more than 90 runs in an innings in his career in Tests. 
Jasprit Bumrah also was hit for four sixes during his spell. It was for the first time in 4562 deliveries that six was hit against him. Sam Konstas slammed the fast bowler for two sixes, while Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc also hit one six each against the premier fast bowler. 
This was only the second time that more than one six in an innings (after England's first innings in 2018 at the Oval) was hit against the fast bowler. This was the first time three or more sixes were hit against the fast bowler. 
<h2>Jasprit Bumrah has been the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25</h2>
Jasprit Bumrah has been the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The fast bowler has looked a class apart in the series. He picked fifer in Perth and followed it up with the four-fer in Adelaide. The pacer picked 6-fer wickets in Gabba and then four-fer in Melbourne.
Jasprit Bumrah, in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, has taken 25 wickets at an average of 13.12 with five-wicket hauls. With the way he is going, he is expected to take more wickets in the series and it won't be a surprise if he goes past 35-mark in the series. 
Coming to the match, Australia had another dominating outing in the ongoing fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, underway at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. 
They came up with a terrific effort with bat and ball on Day two to put India under pressure. The hosts ended their first innings on 474 and then took five Indian wickets. At stumps, India was 165 for five and is still behind 310 runs.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/gautam-gambhir-and-rohit-sharma-ordered-to-drop-mohammed-siraj-following-his-worst-performance-/">Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma ordered to drop Mohammed Siraj following his worst performance</a>

Jasprit Bumrah bowled the worst spell of his career in the Tests during the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Shocking! Jasprit Bumrah bowls the worst spell of his career and achieves two unwanted feats

shocking-jasprit-bumrah-bowls-the-worst-spell-of-his-career-and-achieves-two-unwanted-feats-

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has ordered skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir to drop Mohammed Siraj for the next game of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He said that the team should include Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna in the team at Sydney. 
Mohammed Siraj has been one of the poor performers for India in the ongoing series against Australia. The fast bowler has failed to provide support to Jasprit Bumrah in the ongoing series, which has been the main reason behind the team's struggles with the ball. 
With Mohammed Siraj failing to take wickets and restrict run flow, all the burden has come on Jasprit Bumrah. The fast bowler has been single-handedly carrying the bowling lineup of the team and is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 with 25 wickets to his name. 
Mohammed Siraj has also leaked a lot of runs and his poor effort is the reason why Australia has piled up over 400 runs in the last two games. In the Melbourne Test, he failed to take a single wicket and gave away 122 runs in the 23 overs that he bowled. 
Sunil Gavaskar feels that Mohammed Siraj needs a break and team management needs to tell him that they are dropping him on the basis of his poor performances. While speaking to Star Sports, he explained: 
"I think Siraj, perhaps, needs a little bit of a break. In the sense that, I am not saying a break, he needs to be told that he is left out of the team for non-performance. There has to be a situation where you can’t beat around the bush." 
<h2>If you want to make two changes. Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana to support Jasprit Bumrah - Sunil Gavaskar wants Mohammed Siraj to be dropped </h2>
Sunil Gavaskar mentioned that Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma need to directly say to Mohammed Siraj they are dropping him. The batting great also batted for the inclusion of Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana. He explained: 
"But I think Siraj needs to be told ‘look, you are not bowling as well as we expected you to on pitches that have been helpful’. That is something that needs to be told. If you want to make two changes. Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana to support Jasprit Bumrah. By all means, do that," he concluded.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/yashasvi-jaiswal-went-past-virat-kohli-to-join-sachin-tendulkar-in-an-elite-list-of-indians-with-his-glorious-82-at-mcg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yashasvi Jaiswal went past Virat Kohli to join Sachin Tendulkar in an elite list of Indians with his glorious 82 at MCG</a>

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has ordered skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir to drop Mohammed Siraj for the next game of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma ordered to drop Mohammed Siraj following his worst performance

gautam-gambhir-and-rohit-sharma-ordered-to-drop-mohammed-siraj-following-his-worst-performance-

In the 2nd day of the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-match of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, the Indian Cricket Team has hit the axe on their own feet. In reply to Australia's first inning score of 474 runs, the Indian batters helped their team reach the score of 153-2 at one point and they were on course of reaching a big score in their first-inning. 
However, in the 41st over, young Indian opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal got run out after playing a good knock of 86 runs. Lack of co-ordination with Virat Kohli on the other end meant he youngster missed out on the opportunity to slam his 2nd ton versus the Aussies in the ongoing BGT series. On one hand, the threat of a follow on being enforeced is looming over the Indian Team while on the other hand, the run out of Jaiswal sparked a heated argument between Cricket experts Irfan Pathan and Sanjay Manjrekar and the video of the same has gone viral on social media platforms. 
The Men in Blue ended the 2nd day of the Melbourne test at the score of 164 runs for the loss of five wickets and they are still trailing the Kangaroos by 310 runs. Post the conclusion of the 2nd day, Sanjay Manjrekar and Irfan Pathan were discussing the run out of Jaiswal in the post match show of Star Sports. Manjrekar on one hand was seen criticising Kohli while the opinions of Irfan were completely opposite.
Watch the full video <a href="https://x.com/Musafirr_hu_yar/status/1872543107272806770?t=08VDV_x1Pzgs82fX6qIX2g&amp;s=19">here</a>
<h2>Manjrekar had some harsh words to say about Kohli</h2>
First, Sanjay Manjrekar put forward his perspective and said, 
<blockquote>
"The ball was coming at a slower speed, I don't think that Virat would have got run-out in that situation. It was the call of Jaiswal and this run was probably not a free one but Jaiswal was the one who was running at the danger-end not Virat. It was his (Virat's) childish mistake that he looked back and decided that it was not a run. If Yashasvi's judgement was wrong then he would have got dismissed on the non-striker's end."

</blockquote>
<h2>Irfan Pathan hit back at the comments of Manjrekar</h2>
Initiating a counter attack on the views of his fellow commentator, Irfan said, 
<blockquote>
"He (Kohli) was probably not confident about taking that run because the ball went to fielder in a quick manner. Kohli, who was standing at the non-striker's end also has the right to deny a run call if he feels he's at the risk of getting run-out."

After this, Manjrekar said, "If you don't want to let me talk, then it's okay.
</blockquote>
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/steve-smith-goes-past-sachin-tendulkar-and-kohli-sets-the-record-for-the-most-number-of-centuries-in-border-gavaskar-trophy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steve Smith goes past Sachin Tendulkar and Kohli, sets the record for the most number of centuries in Border-Gavaskar Trophy</a>

Irfan Pathan (L) and Sanjay Manjrekar (C) in the post match show of Star Sports alongside Jatin Sapru (R) | Image: X (Cricket NDTV)

Cricket Experts Irfan Pathan and Sanjay Manjrekar got involved in a heated exchange with each other on live television following the run out of Yashasvi Jaiswal

Watch:Irfan Pathan and Sanjay Manjrekar get involved in a heated argument over the run out of Yashasvi Jaiswal on live TV

watch-irfan-pathan-and-sanjay-manjrekar-get-involved-in-a-heated-argument-over-the-run-out-of-yashasvi-jaiswal-on-live-tv

India batter Virat Kohli has been the centre of attraction in the ongoing fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia. The match between the teams is taking place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. 
Virat Kohli has become the target of Australian media ever since India has reached the Melbourne. He was involved in a fight with Australian media and then, during the ongoing match, was also seen having a heated exchange with young opener Sam Konstas. 
Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas bumped shoulders while moving across the pitch between over, and after that, were seen having a heated argument. This saw Batter facing a lot of criticism for having a go at a young player who was making his debut for Australia. 
The Australian media, along with various Australian experts and former cricketers, went hard at Virat Kohli. Not only this, even the crowd was against the senior India batter as he got boos when the premier batter walked out to bat on the Day Two of the ongoing Test. 
<h2>Virat Kohli looked very solid at the crease and it seemed that he would reply to all the critics in style</h2>
Virat Kohli looked very solid at the crease and it seemed that he would reply to all the critics in style and with his bat. He looked in great touch as he played some crisp shots in his innings and with the way he was going, it was expected that he would get a big score.
Virat Kohli was highly cautious against the balls outside off early on his innings and, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, added over 100 runs partnership. But the demons of the outside off stump came to haunt him again as he was back in the hut after a valuable start. 
Virat Kohli was removed by Scott Boland as he poked at the ball outside off and was caught by Alex Carey behind the stumps. The premier Indian batter was back in the hut after 36 runs, but what caught the attention of many was he fought with the crowd on his way back. 
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/yashasvi-jaiswal-went-past-virat-kohli-to-join-sachin-tendulkar-in-an-elite-list-of-indians-with-his-glorious-82-at-mcg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yashasvi Jaiswal went past Virat Kohli to join Sachin Tendulkar in an elite list of Indians with his glorious 82 at MCG</a>
As he was going inside the dressing room, some of the fans near the entrance told him something. The batter, however, came up back and shared some words with the fans before going back in extreme anger. You can see the video below:

India batter Virat Kohli has been the centre of attraction in the ongoing fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia

Watch: 'Angry' Virat Kohli fights with fans at MCG after getting out for 36 runs

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In what proves to be a massive and a remarkable achievement, Australian Cricket Team's elite batsman Steven Smith has broken the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's prestigious record following his splendid hundred in the ongoing 4th test-match of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Batting at the fourth spot in the batting-order, the former Aussie skipper slammed an incredible ton, helping the Kangaroos gain the upper-hand in the do-or-die encounter at the iconic stadium. 
The 35-year-old who failed to meet the expectations of the Australian fans in the Adelaide and Perth Test-Matches, rediscovered his magic with the bat with the help of a wonderful ton in the Gabba Test-match. He didn't let his good momentum go away, slamming yet another important century and helped the Kangaroos post a huge first inning score in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-match. In this process, the former Australian skipper also broken Tendulkar's record of slamming the highest number of centuries in the history of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
<h3>List of batters to have slammed the highest number of centuries in the history of Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series</h3>
<table id="table-m561o8g4" border="1" style="width: 100.732%; height: 112px;">
<tbody>
<tr id="row0" style="height: 10px;">
<th id="col0" style="width: 46.9242%; height: 10px;">Batter</th>
<th id="col1" style="width: 23.0329%; height: 10px;">Innings</th>
<th id="col2" style="width: 30.0429%; height: 10px;">Hundreds</th>
</tr>
<tr id="row1" style="height: 20px;">
<td id="col0" style="width: 46.9242%; height: 20px; text-align: center;">Steve Smith</td>
<td id="col1" style="width: 23.0329%; height: 20px; text-align: center;">41</td>
<td id="col2" style="width: 30.0429%; height: 20px; text-align: center;">10</td>
</tr>
<tr id="row2" style="height: 20px;">
<td id="col0" style="width: 46.9242%; height: 20px; text-align: center;">Sachin Tendulkar</td>
<td id="col1" style="width: 23.0329%; height: 20px; text-align: center;">65</td>
<td id="col2" style="width: 30.0429%; height: 20px; text-align: center;">9</td>
</tr>
<tr id="row3" style="height: 20px;">
<td id="col0" style="width: 46.9242%; height: 20px; text-align: center;">Virat Kohli</td>
<td id="col1" style="width: 23.0329%; height: 20px; text-align: center;">47</td>
<td id="col2" style="width: 30.0429%; height: 20px; text-align: center;">9</td>
</tr>
<tr id="row4" style="height: 20px;">
<td id="col0" style="width: 46.9242%; height: 20px; text-align: center;">Ricky Ponting</td>
<td id="col1" style="width: 23.0329%; height: 20px; text-align: center;">51</td>
<td id="col2" style="width: 30.0429%; height: 20px; text-align: center;">8</td>
</tr>
<tr id="row5" style="height: 22px;">
<td id="col0" style="width: 46.9242%; height: 22px; text-align: center;">Michael Clarke</td>
<td id="col1" style="width: 23.0329%; height: 22px; text-align: center;">40</td>
<td id="col2" style="width: 30.0429%; height: 22px; text-align: center;">7</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Prior to his inning of 140 runs at the MCG, Smith had scored the same number of BGT tons as Kohli &amp; Tendulkar. So, elite Indian batter Virat Kohli also has an opportunity to go past the little master and match Smith if he slams a hundred in the Boxing-Day Test.
<h2>Steve Smith goes past Joe Root with his century in Melbourne</h2>
Records keep flowing from the bat of Elite Australian batter Steve Smith and with the help of 34th Test ton in Melbourne, he has now become the player who has scored the most centuries in the history of Test cricket versus the Indian Team i.e 11 centuries.
Before Smith, this record was in the name of England's Joe Root who has slammed 10 incredible tons versus the Men in Blue. Apart from him, the likes of Ricky Ponting, Vivian Richards and Gary Sobers have also scored 8 centuries each against India.
Also, Smith has now equalled Brian Lara, Sunil Gavaskar, Younus Khan and Mahela Jayawadene in terms of scoring the most centuries in the history of the five-day format. All of these legendary players had scored 34 centuries in Test cricket. This is also Smith's 46th century in his international career.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/yashasvi-jaiswal-went-past-virat-kohli-to-join-sachin-tendulkar-in-an-elite-list-of-indians-with-his-glorious-82-at-mcg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yashasvi Jaiswal went past Virat Kohli to join Sachin Tendulkar in an elite list of Indians with his glorious 82 at MCG</a>

Steven Smith of Australia celebrates scoring his 34 test ton in the Boxing-Day Test-match versus India at the MCG | Image: Getty Images

Steven Smith of Australia has broken multiple records with the help of his 34th Test century in the Boxing-Day Test-match versus Team India

Steve Smith goes past Sachin Tendulkar and Kohli, sets the record for the most number of centuries in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

steve-smith-goes-past-sachin-tendulkar-and-kohli-sets-the-record-for-the-most-number-of-centuries-in-border-gavaskar-trophy

Yashasvi Jaiswal was leading the Indian batting and brought the visitors back into the game. He stitched an important 102-run partnership with Virat Kohli for the third wicket, and Team India were looking good until there was a miscommunication between the two. Jaiswal was looking good for another big score and was going very well.
But on the last ball of the 41st over, he drove a ball to mid-on and was out of the blocks for a run. Virat, who was watching the ball, didn't respond, and Jaiswal got run out. That was the turning point in the Indian batting innings so far.
That run out also must have broken Virat's concentration, and he got out once again trying to poke at the ball outside off stump. Before that, he was leaving it pretty well. Jaiswal scored his ninth test fifty and made 82 runs off 118 balls, with 11 fours and one six. However, before getting out, he achieved a special feat.
<h2>IND vs AUS 4th Test: Yashavi Jaiswal joins Sachin Tendulkar among the Indian players with most Test runs in a calendar year.</h2>
Jaiswal has had a tremendous year with the bat for India. He has scored the most runs for India in tests this year, and overall, he is the second-highest scorer in 2024. Jaiswal has scored 1394 runs in 28 innings at an average of 53.61 with three centuries and 8 half-centuries. He has hit 36 sixes this year.
Earlier, Jaiswal broke the long-standing record of Brendon McCullum for most test sixes in a year. McCullum struck 34 sixes in 2014, and Jaiswal has already hit 36 in 2024. Apart from that, Jaiswal has joined Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Sunil Gavaskar in an elite list of Indian batters with the most test runs in a calendar year.
In his 82-run innings, he went past Rahul Dravid (1357), Gundappa Viswanath (1388), and Virat (1322). Jaiswal has now scored the fifth-most test runs by an Indian in a calendar year. Sachin holds the Indian record with 1562 runs in 2010. Jaiswal still has one more innings in the MCG test, and he needs another 169 runs to break that record.
Speaking of the game, India finished Day 2 at 164/5. They were at 153/2 at one point and then lost three quick wickets for six runs. The visitors are still 111 runs behind to avoid the follow-on. Rishabh Pant (6) and Ravindra Jadeja (4) are at the crease, and India need a special effort from their lower order to do something.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/how-much-is-virat-kohli-s-match-fee-what-will-he-get-after-a-20-percent-penalty-at-the-mcg-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How much is Virat Kohli's match fee? What will he get after a 20 percent penalty at the MCG?</a>

Yashasvi Jaiswal was unlucky to get run out after a well-made 82 in the first innings of the ongoing Boxing Day Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Yashasvi Jaiswal went past Virat Kohli to join Sachin Tendulkar in an elite list of Indians with his glorious 82 at MCG

yashasvi-jaiswal-went-past-virat-kohli-to-join-sachin-tendulkar-in-an-elite-list-of-indians-with-his-glorious-82-at-mcg

IND vs AUS DAY 2: Australia continued from their strong overnight score of 311/6 and completely dominated India in the first session of the day. Australia crushed India’s bowling, scoring 474 with Smith’s brilliant 140. India now faces a tough challenge on a tricky pitch.
Here’s how the action unfolded on Day 2:
<h2>Session 1: Australia Tightens the Grip</h2>
It was all about Australia in the morning session. In just 27 overs, they smashed 143 runs and lost only one wicket. India’s bowlers looked clueless as the Aussies made merry. Akash Deep, who shone yesterday, had a rough time today, giving away runs, while Jasprit Bumrah kept toiling but couldn’t find the breakthrough early on.
Steve Smith, looking every bit like the run-machine he is, played with ease and elegance. He kept the scoreboard ticking with clever singles and sharp boundaries, leaving no scoring chance behind. Meanwhile, Pat Cummins supported him brilliantly, finding the ropes regularly and frustrating the Indian bowlers.
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202412/image_430x256_676e141bad740.jpg" alt="">
The big moment came when Smith brought up his fifth Test century at the iconic MCG. The 112-run partnership between Smith and Cummins left India reeling. Cummins eventually fell to Ravindra Jadeja, trying to attack, but by then, the damage was done. India’s bowlers seemed tired and out of ideas, with their short-ball strategy failing on a pitch that wasn’t offering much pace or bounce.
<h2>Session 2: India Strikes Back, But Australia Posts a Mammoth Total</h2>
After lunch, India finally had something to cheer about. Ravindra Jadeja struck early, dismissing Mitchell Starc, and the very next ball saw the end of the brilliant Steve Smith, who was trapped on 140. It was a knock that reminded everyone why Smith is considered one of the best in the world—two centuries in two matches, first in Brisbane and now here at the MCG.
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202412/image_430x256_676e1417aedc4.jpg" alt="">
Jasprit Bumrah then wrapped things up, dismissing Nathan Lyon, but not before Lyon and Scott Boland added 19 valuable runs for the last wicket. Australia finished their innings with a massive 474 runs on the board.
<h2>Australia’s Commanding Total</h2>
474 runs is a huge score on this pitch. With the surface offering something for both pacers and spinners, it’s going to be a big test for the Indian batters.
The foundation of this innings was laid by debutant Sam Konstas’ brilliant knock on Day 1, followed by good and moving innings from Manus, Khwaja, Carey, and not to mention a masterclass from Steve Smith today. His knock had shades of his golden form from 2019, leaving the Indian bowlers scratching their heads.
India’s bowling attack had very few bright spots. Bumrah was once again the standout, fighting hard to contain the Aussie batters. Jadeja kept things steady, but Akash Deep struggled to replicate his heroics from yesterday.
Can India’s batters rise to the occasion and fight back, or will this Australian total prove too much to handle? The challenge is massive, and the MCG is set for another gripping chapter in this Test series!

Australia dominated on Day 2, piling up 474 runs with Steve Smith’s masterful century. India’s bowlers struggled, while brief resistance from Bumrah and Jadeja couldn’t stop the Aussie charge on a challenging pitch.

Steve Smith’s century and Australia’s 474-run total leave India facing an uphill battle on a pitch favoring both spinners and pacers.

IND vs AUS: Australia managed to put up a huge 474 First Innings score

ind-vs-aus-australia-managed-to-put-up-a-huge-474-first-innings-score

Jasprit Bumrah once again proved why he is one of the best in the business. Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground saw the Australian batters dominating the Indian bowlers.
The counterattack started when the debutant Sam Konstas took on Bumrah and slammed him for two sixes in an over. They set the tone for the hosts, and they had a great batting display in the first sessions. All four top Australian batters marked a fifty each.
But it was once again Bumrah who brought India into the game. He dismissed dangerous Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh in quick succession, which dented the Australian scoring rate. Bumrah ended the day at 3/75. He once again proved to be the real threat for the hosts.
<h2>IND vs AUS 4th Test: Jasprit Bumrah on verge of reaching 200 wickets in Test cricket on Day 2</h2>
Jasprit Bumrah, with his three wickets, registered a couple of great records. He dismissed Head for a duck and became the first Indian bowler to dismiss the Australian batter for a duck against India. Apart from him, with his three wickets, he also went past Anil Kumble (15) to take the most wickets at the MCG.
Bumrah now has 18 wickets at this iconic venue. But as he steps on the field on Day 2, Bumrah eyes a major record. Notably, Bumrah has 197 wickets now, and he has a chance to complete 200 wickets in the first innings itself. Australia still have four wickets left in the bank, and if the Indian pacer can take three wickets on Day 2, he will become the fastest Indian to reach this milestone.
Currently, Kapil Dev holds the record for the fastest Indian pacer to take 200 wickets in 50 tests. Jasprit Bumrah is currently playing his 44th Test, and he still has the second innings, but he can achieve this feat on Day 2 itself. Overall, Ravichandran Ashwin holds this Indian record in 37 tests.
Meanwhile, India need to make sure that they take the remaining four wickets early on Day 2 and try to bat long. India have dropped Shubman Gill, so they are one batter short. Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Reddy are three all-rounders in the lower middle order who need to take responsibility. Rohit Sharma is likely to open the innings, and KL Rahul will bat at no. 3.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/how-much-is-virat-kohli-s-match-fee-what-will-he-get-after-a-20-percent-penalty-at-the-mcg-/#google_vignette">How much is Virat Kohli's match fee? What will he get after a 20 percent penalty at the MCG?</a>

Jasprit Bumrah took three wickets as Australia finished 311/6 at the stumps on Day 1 of the fourth test at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

World Record Alert: Jasprit Bumrah on the cusp of creating history in Day 2 of MCG Test 

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Five time IPL winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had a good 2025 Mega-Auction and they have built a solid squad ahead of the next edition of the tournament. The franchise managed to re-acquire the services of the duo of Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway in the Mega-Auction and they also bought R Ashwin, who played for the franchise between 2009 to 2015.
The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) will be kicking off from the 14th of March onwards and in this situation, the New Zealand player are going to face issues as the T20 International and One Day International series between the Kiwis and Pakistan is scheduled to start in the same month as well. 
This will make it difficult for players like Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell Santnwr, Bevan Jacobs and Glenn Phillips to participate in the first three weeks of the 2025 edition of the IPL.
<h2>Why is the duo of Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway likely to miss the starting phase of IPL 2025? </h2>
The New Zealand players will be staying in Pakistan post the conclusion of 2025 Champions Trophy on the 9th of March. From 16th of March to 5th of April, the Black Caps and the Shaheens will be squaring off versus each other in five T20 International games and three One Day International encounters. This is the reason why the duo of Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway will most likely miss the start of IPL 2025.
Even during the previous edition of the tournament, a white ball Cricket series took place between the same teams. At that time, a total of nine Kiwi players priorotized the IPL over the bilateral white-ball tour of Pakistan and played in the cash-rich T20 league. This time around though, there are doubts regarding the New Zealand Cricket Board agreeing to let their main players skip the tour of Pakistan and play in the IPL. 
The New Zealand Cricket Board has not taken any decision yet regarding the participation of their players in the 18th edition of the IPL. Last time around, the BCCI requested the NZC to let nine players miss the Pakistan series and play in the IPL. This time around too, the Cricket Governing Body of India is expected to make a request to the New Zealand Cricket Board in advance and resolve this issue by January of 2025.
If the duo of Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway are not given the permission to skip the Pakistan tour in favour of the IPL, then a lot of big problems are likely to be created for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK). 
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ipl-2025-captains-of-lsg-and-delhi-capitals-confirmed-these-star-players-will-handle-the-leadership-duties/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IPL 2025: Captains of LSG and Delhi Capitals confirmed! These star players will handle the leadership duties</a>

Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand interact during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup India 2023 between England and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium on October 05, 2023 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

New Zealand's 2025 white-ball bilateral tour of Pakistan is set to clash with IPL 2025 and this will make it difficult for New Zealand players to play in the initial phase of the IPL. CSK duo of Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway are going to get affected by this.

IPL: Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra of CSK likely to miss the start of IPL 2025

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Indian players Mohammed Siraj and Virat Kohli were at their aggressive best during Day 1 of the ongoing fourth Test against Australia. The Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne is hosting the Boxing Day Test between the teams. 
Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj made sure that they gave the Australian team a taste of their own medicine. The duo were seen continuously going into the head of the opposition batters, in particular Sam Konstas and Marnus Labuschagne. 
As they were all over the Australia batters, Mohammed Siraj had a light conversation with Marnus Labuschagne. It was then that Virat Kohli ordered the pacer to keep the intensity high and told him not to laugh. The batter was passing inputs to the pacer, and it was caught on the stump mic. 
Virat Kohli was heard telling pacer Mohammed Siraj, "Has ke baat nahi karna inse (Don't smile while talking to them)," However, after when Mohammed Siraj  exchanged words with Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne. You can watch the video below: 
<h2>Australia started the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 on high</h2>
Coming to the match, Australia started the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 on high. The hosts had a great day with the bat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. They were off to a brutal start with the bat, thanks to debutant Sam Konstas (60). 
The 19-year-old took the attack to the Indian bowlers, in particular Jasprit Bumrah, from the start and raced away to his half-century. He, along with Usman Khawaja (57), added 89 runs for the opening partnership before Marnus Labuschagne (72) joined Khawaja, and the duo put on 65 runs. 
Steve Smith (68*) also slammed a vital half-century and kept batting till the end. India made a slight comeback after the wicket of Marnus as they picked quick wickets. Alex Carey (31) also came up with a handy effort as Australia ended day one with Smith and skipper Pat Cummins at 311 for six crease.
<h2>"Has ke baat nahi karna inse - Virat KOhli to Mohammed Siraj</h2>

Indian players Mohammed Siraj and Virat Kohli were at their aggressive best during Day 1 of the ongoing fourth Test against Australia.