MCG Test, Day 2 report: India hurt by late setbacks in response to Australia's 474

BGT 2024-25 | Virat Kohli accidentally bumped into me, stated debutant Sam Konstas after a huge drama unfolded on Day 1 of the MCG Test in Melbourne.

Virat Kohli accidentally bumped into me: Sam Konstas after drama on Day 1 of MCG Test

MCG Test: India's golden arm Jasprit Bumah dismissed in-form Travis Head for duck during the opening day of the Boxing Day tie. Here is the video - 

India's golden arm Jasprit Bumah dismisses Travis Head for duck in MCG Test - Watch

BGT: Australia ended Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at 311-6 with fifties from the top four. Debutant Sam Konstas impressed with a fiery 60.

BGT: Australia end Day 1 of Boxing Day Test at 311-6, debutant Sam Konstas impresses with fiery 60

With Travis Head fit and India set to put up their first choice Playing XI for the Boxing Day Test, the outcome of the match is set to have a huge impact on the WTC standings. So ahead of the big contest, here is all you need to know on how the WTC standings will look after the big clash at MCG.



BGT 2024-25: Here's how WTC standings will look if India win, lose or draw MCG Test

The race for the World Test Championship (WTC) final is heating as India and Australia square off for a crunch clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday (Dec 26).

India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been outstanding in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series against Australia. The pacer has also overtaken Kapil Dev's record of 51 wickets Down Under to become India's finest bowler ever in Australia.

BGT 2024-25: 'India's greatest fast bowler,' Aussies in awe of Jasprit Bumrah

It is thanks to Bumrah that India are very much alive in the series despite a poor show by the batters. The pacer, in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, led India in the first Test of the series in Perth and helped India win the Test by 295 runs.



The draw at Gabba leaves Rohit Sharma and Co in third spot and will now have to win at least one of their remaining two matches in the current cycle. Australia on the other hand sit second despite the draw but will have to be at their best for the remaining contests to avoid elimination from the race to the final, which takes place at Lord’s in June 2025.



WTC Standings: Gabba draw puts India in 'must-win' territory ahead of Boxing Day Test

With Australia declaring at 89/7 in their second innings and setting a 275-run target for India, players from both camps decided to shake hands with no play taking place in the overcast conditions of Gabba post-tea session. As a result, the series stays at 1-1 with the next Test match to take place in Melbourne starting on Dec 26.



BGT 2024/25: Gabba Test ends in a draw after rain plays spoilsport on Day 5

India’s bid to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) is now in a “must-win” territory after their latest draw against Australia at Gabba on Wednesday (Dec 18).

The Gabba Test match between India and Australia ended in a draw after rain played spoilsport on Day 5 of the contest. With Australia declaring at 89/7 in their second innings and setting a 275-run target for India, players from both camps decided to shake hands with no play taking place in the overcast conditions of Gabba post-tea session.

When the pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep coming together the tourists still needed 33 runs to make Australia bat again at the Gabba on another day marred by rain delays.



BGT 2024/25: India avoid follow-on as Gabba Test heads for a draw despite Australia's bowling dominance

India's Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep pulled off an unlikely 10th-wicket partnership on Tuesday to avoid the follow-on and put the third Test against Australia in Brisbane on course for a draw.

It has been a miserable situation for Indian bowlers apart from Bumrah who has taken series-leading 18 wickets so far. All the other Indian bowlers used in the series so far have 22 wickets collectively.



BGT 2024-25: 'We don't as a team...,' Jasprit Bumrah defends rest of India bowlers amid poor show

India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has defended his fellow bowlers after poor show in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test series against Australia. Bumrah's comments come as Australia piled on 445 runs in third Test at the Gabba in the first innings with Bumrah taking 6/76 while others accounting for just four wickets for the remaining runs.

Brisbane's weather came to India's rescue as most of Monday's play was lost because of rain on the third day of the third Test against Australia at the Gabba. A rattled India limped to 51-4 at stumps on a day when the Australians were only able to bowl 17 overs and the players left the field seven times due to downpours.

BGT, Gabba Test: Indian batters falter again, Australia in driver's seat despite rain playing havoc on Day 3

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) stands equal at 1-1 and the series now moves to Brisbane where India breached the Fortress Gabba last time they played Australia.

BGT 2024-25: Rohit as opener, Siraj five-for and Pant 89 not out - How India breached Fortress Gabba in 2021

The third Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test is just a couple of days away and another pacy and bouncy pitch awaits India at the iconic Gabba stadium in Brisbane.

BGT 2024-25: 'Good carry, pace and bounce,' awaits India at Gabba says pitch curator

Former Australia pacer Brett Lee shared his pick between Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland ahead of the third Test, of the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), versus India at The Gabba, Brisbane.

BGT: Josh Hazlewood or Scott Boland? Brett Lee shares his pick for crucial Brisbane Test vs India

Australia's newest Test opener Nathan McSweeney has undergone baptism through fire in his first two Tests against India pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series.

BGT 2024-25: Nathan McSweeney confident of 'throwing punches' after baptism through fire in first two Tests

The second Test of the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), in Adelaide, saw Pat Cummins-led Australia beat India by ten wickets to level the five-match series 1-1.

BGT: Katich backs Head in spat vs Siraj, predicts India-Australia rivalry to heat up in remaining Tests

Former Australia skipper Mark Taylor has criticised Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj for his outburst against Aussie Travis Head in the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test.

BGT 2024-25: 'Don't like him....,' Ex-Australia skipper Mark Taylor on Mohammed Siraj after Adelaide send-off

The Adelaide Test between India and Australia saw Pat Cummins-led hosts level the five-match series 1-1 after losing the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) opener, in Perth.

BGT: 'Do not hold back one bit,' Shastri shares advice for Md Siraj after heated exchange with Travis Head