The second test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Boxing Day test is set to begin on the 26th of December at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This test match is a part of the two-month-long India tour of Australia that comprises ODIs, T20Is, and four tests.
While Australia has won the ODI series, India clinched the T20Is with two wins. The series has been among the global initiatives to resume sports amidst the pandemic. It is being held under strict supervision and safety to avoid the spread of the .
The visitors are being made to live in bio-bubbles, which ensures that they do not fall in any situation which requires interaction with a lot of people.
Boxing Day Test – A Tough Fight?
India and Australia are known for being prominent cricketing rivals. The test series has been under the scrutiny of cricket aficionados since its inception. Currently, India has the Trophy in its possession after it won the last four match test series 2-1 when it toured Australia in 2018-19. The first test match has doubled this excitement and conjecture, in which India lost the match after slumping to 36 in the third innings. They were able to restrict Australia to 191 in the second innings and had secured a lead of 53 runs.
The collapse of the batting order in the third innings restricted it to 36. Australia clinched the match with having been set a target of 91 runs for the fourth innings. While the collapse of the Indian batting order has generated multiple opinions from cricket fanatics. People have also been highlighting the splendid bowling performances of the two teams. Both the seam and spin bowlers of the two teams are in their prime forms. However, the recent developments in the Indian cricket team do not spell well for the rest of the series.
The Indian captain, Virat Kohli has departed for India. Mohammad Shami have been ruled out for the rest of the series due to an injury in his right hand. This is not to suggest that the upcoming matches do not promise good cricket. A look at the key players for the matches reveals why the upcoming matches can be promising and exciting.
Boxing Day Test – Players To Watch Out For
The visitors will be looking to bounce back in the second test. The Indian cricket team has decided to bring in multiple changes to the playing XI for the Boxing Day test. Reports say that Shubhman Gill, Rishabh Pant and Mohammad Siraj are set to replace Prithvi Shaw, Wriddhiman Saha and Mohammad Shami respectively.
Gill and Pant are expected to strengthen India’s chances of bouncing back with their batting prowess. Both Jaspreet Bumrah and Umesh Yadav, India’s premier fast bowler have been in good form in the first match. Ravichandran Ashwin has also been good with the ball and has picked up three wickets already.
Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins were the chief architects of India’s batting order collapse in the third innings. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon have also been phenomenal with the ball. David Warner, Australia’s preferred opener, will not be able to join them for this Boxing Day test and so they will probably stick with the Mathew Wade-Joe Burns opening combination. Fast bowler Sean Abbott is also out for the Aussies.
What To Look Forward To?
While India is looking to bounce back, the Australian captain, Tim Paine has claimed that his team did not give their best in the first match. Both teams seem to be quite eager to prove their mettle. India had won the last time it had played a test at the MCG in 2018-19 and it will be looking to emulate that victory this time. Overall, the Boxing Day test match promises to be a tough contest between the two teams and a memorable watch for cricket fans