BGT: India, Australia gun for series lead in Boxing Day Test

With the series locked at 1-1, the fourth contest at the MCG is expected to see some exciting cricket

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is back to where it all began with the series locked at one-all, and a sold-out crowd expected in attendance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the opening day of the fourth Test, the stage is set for another tantalising contest as both India and Australia look to gain upper hand in the five-match rubber.

If Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane were Australian strongholds, Melbourne brings happy memories for India as the tourists return to the iconic ground having won the last two Tests at the MCG in 2018-19 and 2020-21, and the New Year's Test in Sydney will bring spin into play.

Considered the spiritual home of Australian cricket and played on the biggest date on the calendar, the occasion adds another flavour to the already spicy contest between the two finalists of the 2023 World Test Championship final. With another WTC cycle nearing an end, and the race to the 2025 final at Lords' still wide open, the Test holds greater significance for India, considering they are placed third in the standings, and as such Rohit Sharma's men need two outright wins to make it to a third straight WTC final.