India vs Australia 4th Test Day 1 LIVE Score Updates: Debutant Konstas Slams Fifty, India Stunned

India vs Australia 4th Test Live: FIFTY For Sam Konstas

Sam Konstas continues to march on 6th gear and completes his half-century in just 52 balls. A brilliant counter-attacking knock from the Australian debutant as Indian bowlers look out of ideas. This is a big test of Rohit Sharma’s captaincy as the wait for the first wicket continues.

IND vs AUS 4th Test Live: What Happened Between Konstas And Kohli

Virat Kohli seems to be thinking out of the box to get under Sam Konstas’ skin. A look at the incident.

Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas exchanged a heated moment on the MCG. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QL13nZ9IGI

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024

India vs Australia 4th Test Live: Konstas Inching Closer To His Fifty

Some stunning visuals from the middle as Sam Konstas manages to extract 16 runs from Jasprit Bumrah’s over, with the help of 2 fours and a six. India are struggling to contain the explosive Aussie opener at the moment. Need a change of plan.

India vs Australia 4th Test Live: Sam Konstas Playing T20 Cricket

Despite being a debutant, Sam Konstas doesn’t seem to be fearing anyone. The rookie batter is advancing down the track and taking the bowlers on with little hesitation. A brief clash with Siraj and Kohli also seen on the pitch. It’s turning out to be quite an eventful first session.

IND vs AUS 4th Test, Day 1 Live: Konstas Stands Tall Against Bumrah

The 19-year-old Australian debutant’s creative style to counter Jasprit Bumrah has reaped its rewards so far. Not the finest of starts from the Indian pace duo as Australia muster up 37 runs from the first 9 overs of the Boxing Day Test. It’s time for a short drinks break in the middle. 

India vs Australia 4th Test Live: Konstas Gets Creative, Smashes Bumrah

Sam Konstas begins the 7th over of the match by hitting 10 runs off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling. Two scoop shots – one customary and the other reverse – to hit a 4 and 6 respectively. The Australia opener tries another reverse-scoop again on the 5th delivery and manages to add 4 more runs to his and Australia’s total. This must rattle Bumrah.

India vs Australia 4th Test Live: India’s Wicket-Hunt Continues

No success for the Indian duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj yet while 6 overs have gone. Another strong LBW appeal by Siraj but turned down by the umpire this time as well. No DRS taken. Konstas advances down the track to smash Siraj but makes no connection with the ball, gets a few words from the India pacer.

India vs Australia 4th Test: DRS Waisted By India Early

A big LBW appeal from India as Mohammed Siraj hits an advancing Usman Khawaja on the pads. DRS taken by India after the umpire ruled the on-field decision in the favour of the Australia batter. Ball tracking shows that the delivery would’ve gone over the stumps. Khawaja stays!

India vs Australia 4th Test Live: Konstas Attempts Reverse Scoop

Some intriguing visuals from the middle as Sam Konstas attempts reverse-scoop against Jasprit Bumrah. A little reaction from the India pacer witnessed too as Australia put first runs on the board.

India vs Australia 4th Test, Day 1 Live: Maiden From Siraj Too

Mohammed Siraj begins with a maiden over too, causing plenty of trouble to the left-handed Usman Khawaja. No runs on the board from Australia yet.

India vs Australia 4th Test Live: Maiden Over From Jasprit Bumrah

A maiden over to start with from Jasprit Bumrah. Sam Konstas took the strike and didn’t manage to put his bat on the ball on any of the six deliveries. A nervy start for the 19-year-old Australian debutant as Bumrah makes expectations clear.

India vs Australia 4th Test Live: We Are Underway!

Jasprit Bumrah begins India’s attack with the ball as Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja open the batting for Australia at the MCG. Enthralling times ahead. 

India vs Australia 4th Test Live: MCG Pitch Report

Sunil Gavaskar and Mark Nicholas with the pitch report: “The heavy roller is doing its bit on the surface. There’s a lot of grass on the surface, day 1 pitch, there will be plenty in it for the bowlers. As the sun beats down, batting will become easier. 7mm grass on the surface, it might be slightly tacky at the start. The first couple of hours will be a real test for the batters. The conditions are really hot.”

India vs Australia 4th Test, Day 1 Live: Harsha Bhogle Unhappy With India’s XI

Harsha Bhogle not entire convinced with Team India’s playing XI selection.

“I hope it goes well but I am a touch uncomfortable with this team. Jadeja at 6, Nitish at 7 and Washington at 8 seems a long lower middle order but effectively, with 5 bowlers, Nitish is being preferred to Gill as a batter. Fingers crossed,” he posted on X.

I hope it goes well but I am a touch uncomfortable with this team. Jadeja at 6, Nitish at 7 and Washington at 8 seems a long lower middle order but effectively, with 5 bowlers, Nitish is being preferred to Gill as a batter. Fingers crossed

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 25, 2024

India vs Australia 4th Test, Day 1: Konstas 4th Youngest Test Debutant For Australia

Sam Konstas becomes the 4th youngest Test debutant for Australia. Here’s how he stacks up against the others…

17y 239d: Ian Craig vs SA Melbourne 1953

18y 193d: Pat Cummins vs SA Joburg 2011

18y 232d: Tom Garrett vs Eng Melbourne 1877

19y 85d: Sam Konstas vs Ind Melbourne 2024

19y 96: Clem Hill vs Eng Lord’s 1896

India vs Australia 4th Test, Day 1 Live: How The Two Teams Are Shaping Up

Here’s a look at the playing XIs of both the teams:

Australia Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

India Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep

India vs Australia 4th Test Live: Australia Opt To Bat

Australia captain Pat Cummins have won the toss and opted to bat first. India make a big change in playing XI, with Shubman Gill being dropped in favour of an additional spinner who is Washington Sundar. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, is set to open this time.

India vs Australia 4th Test Live: India Look To Make It Hat-trick Of Wins

India have beaten Australia at the MCG over the last two visits, in 2018 and 2020. Will Rohit Sharma’s men make it 3 in 3 this time and take the crucial 2-1 lead in the 5-match series?

India vs Australia 4th Test, Day 1 Live: Sam Konstas’ Big Debut

Australian rookie Sam Konstas is all set to make his debut at the ‘G’ in the Boxing Day Test against India. He has been keen to face India’s Jasprit Bumrah and this battle could shape up the Test. We are minutes away from the toss.

India vs Australia 4th Test Live: A Look At MCG Wicket

Here’s a quick look at the pitch that will be used on Day 1 at MCG. Pacers are expected to be delighted seeing the amount of grass that is visible on the wicket this morning. What do you think?

Hello and good morning from Melbourne. We are 30 minutes away from toss and here’s the Day 1 pitch for the Boxing Day Test. #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/toGMIACq42

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 25, 2024

India vs Australia 4th Test, Day 1 Live: Focus On India’s Team Composition

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Day 1 of the 4th Test between India and Australia from the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Boxing Day Test is here and it is expected to be a cracker. India’s playing XI will be in the spotlight, especially with regards to skipper Rohit Sharma’s batting position. Ravindra Jadeja featured as the lone spinner in Brisbane but would that continue or Tanush Kotian will get to make this debut? We will find out as the toss takes place at 4:30 AM IST.