India will return to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the fourth Test against Australia, beginning Wednesday, December 26, with a sense of optimism given their recent success at this iconic venue. Having won their last two Tests at the MCG, India will be hopeful of continuing their strong record at the ground. However, despite this recent history, the Indian team enters the match with several issues to resolve, especially in terms of their batting and bowling performances throughout the series.
The Indian batting lineup, once a formidable force, has faced consistent struggles in the ongoing series. Since the second innings of the Perth Test, the team has failed to reach the 300-run mark, with the top order, including senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, struggling to score runs consistently. Kohli, in particular, has faced criticism for not converting his starts into substantial scores, and Rohit has also found it difficult to get going. The middle order, including young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant, has also failed to provide the necessary stability, leaving much of the batting responsibility to the lower order, where Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy have stepped up with some crucial runs.
In contrast, India’s bowling attack has been slightly more reliable, with Jasprit Bumrah continuing to carry the bulk of the workload. However, there has been a clear lack of support from the other bowlers. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, in particular, have not been able to consistently perform at the required level, which has placed additional pressure on Bumrah. For India to have a successful outing in Melbourne, the bowling attack must come together as a unit and provide better support to Bumrah in both the fast and spin departments.
One of the key questions heading into the Melbourne Test is whether India will make any changes to their batting order. There have been reports suggesting that Rohit Sharma could be moved to open the batting, with KL Rahul potentially shifting to number three. This potential reshuffle comes at a time when Rahul has been India’s best batter in the series so far, providing some stability at the top of the order. Given the pressure on the team to perform in the fourth Test, the team management will need to weigh the pros and cons of such a change, particularly with the series on the line and the need to address India's batting woes.
Head-to-Head Record India’s overall record at the MCG in Tests has been relatively strong. Out of the 14 Tests played at the ground, India has won four, with two drawn matches. India has not lost a Test at the MCG since 2012, making it a happy hunting ground for the team. India will be looking to continue this good run in Melbourne and take a crucial lead in the series. The team's confidence at this venue will play an important role, especially as they seek to overcome their recent batting failures and get back to winning ways.
Will Nitish Kumar Reddy Be Dropped? Another area of concern for India is their lower-order batting and the balance of the team. While Nitish Kumar Reddy has been promising with the bat, scoring vital runs lower down the order, his bowling has been inconsistent. He has taken only three wickets in the series, with a high average of 41 and an economy rate of 4.55. This lack of impact with the ball has led to discussions about whether India should consider bringing in a genuine fast bowler in his place, especially given that India’s attack has been heavily reliant on Bumrah for pace and wicket-taking.
Reddy’s position in the squad could be under threat, as India may opt for an additional fast-bowling option to provide more depth to their bowling attack. The team will need to assess whether his batting contributions are enough to keep him in the side or whether changes are necessary to address the balance of the team.
Pitch Conditions The pitch at the MCG is expected to play a significant role in shaping the outcome of the match. On Monday, three days ahead of the fourth Test, the pitch had a noticeable tinge of green, which could assist the fast bowlers. However, MCG curator Matt Page downplayed the possibility of the pitch breaking down significantly as the game progresses, suggesting that the pitch would remain relatively stable as the match continues. The forecast of temperatures reaching 40 degrees on Boxing Day adds further intrigue to how the pitch might behave throughout the match. A hot and dry weather forecast could lead to a more abrasive pitch, which would challenge the players further.
The pitch is expected to have a good covering of grass on Day 1, which could make it conducive for fast bowling. This may influence the captain’s decision at the toss, as the team winning the toss could opt to bowl first and take advantage of the early conditions. The first innings could be crucial, and whichever team makes the best use of the conditions early on will have an advantage.
Team News: India vs Australia, 4th Test Australia has made a couple of changes to their lineup for the fourth Test. Sam Konstas has been brought in to replace Nathan McSweeney, who has had a disappointing run in the first three Tests. In addition, Scott Boland has been called up to replace Josh Hazlewood, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a side strain. Hazlewood’s absence will be a significant blow to Australia’s pace attack, and Boland will need to step up to fill the gap.
India is also likely to make some changes to their lineup. The potential reshuffling of the batting order, with Rohit Sharma moving to open and KL Rahul batting at number three, is one of the key talking points. India may also be tempted to bring in Washington Sundar, given his ability as a spinner and the fact that spinners have historically performed well at the MCG. Since 2010, off-spinner Nathan Lyon has been the highest wicket-taker at the MCG, with 45 wickets to his name. Sundar could add some much-needed variety to India’s bowling attack and provide additional support to Jadeja in the spin department.
Australia’s Predicted XI for 4th Test:
- Usman Khawaja
- Sam Konstas
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Mitch Marsh
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Pat Cummins (c)
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Lyon
- Scott Boland
India’s Predicted XI for 4th Test:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Nitish Reddy
- Washington Sundar
- Akash Deep
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
As India heads into the fourth Test, they will need a collective effort from both their batting and bowling departments to secure a much-needed victory. The pressure is on the team to perform, but with a solid record in Melbourne and a chance to take the series lead, India has the opportunity to turn things around and make a statement in this crucial Test match.
