Battle of egos between Australia and India at Melbourne  

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

• Steven Smith has odds of 3.85 to be Australia's best batsman  
• Yashasvi Jaiswal has odds of 3.90 to be India's best batsman  
• Pat Cummins has odds of 2.70 to be Australia's best bowler  
• Jasprit Bumrah has odds of 2.40 to be India's best bowler  

MATCH PREVIEW     

It is the Boxing Day Test Match in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The series is 1-1 going into the 4th Test Match after poor weather in Brisbane played spoilsport. The Australians will go into this game confidently as they had an edge over India in Brisbane, dominating the game for most parts. They will start with higher odds in this contest, having won the last three games in Melbourne. However, they must watch their backs as no other team has troubled them like the Indians have done in the last decade. They have lost the last two matches against India at this venue. The Indians have had their positives on this tour and shall look to draw inspiration from their good performances. This game may decide the outcome of the trophy, and we expect a close contest.  

Australia Preview      

Pat Cummins and his team will draw many positives out of the last game at Brisbane. They held the driver's seat for most sessions in the game and have gained momentum. The batting lineup has found form, putting them ahead on cricket betting sites. They haven't defeated India at Melbourne since 2011. Cummins will look to lead from the front and do well, as the Indian batting lineup has struggled in the last two games.  

Usman Khawaja is struggling, and he must do well at the top with Sam Kontas, who will earn his baggy green cap in this game. Travis Head and Steven Smith scored hundreds in the last game, and they will look to build partnerships in the middle order with Marnus Labuschagne, who will play for his place in the side. Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh add depth to the lineup, strengthening it.   

The bowling attack has troubled the Indians in the last two games. The team expects early strikes from Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who have troubled the Indians with their pace. Scott Boland will replace Hazlewood in this game, and he must do well along with Nathan Lyon. Mitchell Marsh will look to do well in the supporting role.  

Expected Starting XI for Australia     

Pat Cummins (c), Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland 

India Preview     

Rohit Sharma's team has struggled in the last two games. The batting lineup has struggled in the last two matches, with the big guns in the side fizzling against the quality pace attack the Australians have. It will worry the team and lower their odds on cricket betting apps. They have their best record in Melbourne, with four of their 10 wins in Australia coming at this venue. Sharma would like a strong response from his players in this game.  

Yashasvi Jaiswal has struggled after his heroics in Perth, and he must deliver a good start with in-form KL Rahul. Shubman Gill must do well at No. 3 and add runs in the middle order with Rishab Pant and Virat Kohli, who must play more responsibly. Rohit Sharma, Nitish Reddy, and Ravindra Jadeja are good lower-order players and must contribute with the bat.  

The bowling attack will count its chances on the good bowling surface in Melbourne. Jasprit Bumrah has been all over the Aussies and will look to strike early with Mohammad Siraj. As the Australians will take him on, Akash Deep must deliver as the first change bowler. Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Reddy must do well in the supporting role.  

Expected Starting XI for India     

Rohit Shama (c), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj 

TOSS: To Bowl First      

This wicket is tough to bat on Day 1 as the ball moves a lot. The wicket gets better from Day 2 onward. The team winning the toss would look to take advantage of the conditions by bowling first in this game.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

We expect good weather conditions over Melbourne. Batting conditions will be tough on this wicket, and we expect to see the fast bowlers have a good game. The average first-innings score is 340 runs at this venue, and the team batting first would like to have 400 on the board.    

OUR PREDICTION      

The Indians have been on the back foot in the last two games. The batting lineup has struggled, and we haven't seen consistency in the top order. The side will need a good show from the top and middle to win this game. The Australians have momentum, and their bowling attack is in good form. We expect the Australians to have an edge in the contest based on the current form.  

Our prediction is for Australia to win