AUS vs IND: Ravi Shastri predicts the team who holds the advantage in the Boxing Day Test

Australia and India will face off in the fourth Test match of the ongoing BGT 2024/25 series at the MCG on December 26.

Pat Cummins, Rohit Sharma, Ravi Shastri (Via X)

The Boxing Day Test is set to kickstart between Australia and India on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The series is level at 1-1. India won the first Test in Perth, and Australia came back strongly by winning the second Test match in Adelaide. The third Test match ended in a draw in Brisbane.

Ahead of the fourth Test match at the MCG, former India head coach and player Ravi Shastri feels that India have the advantage going into Melbourne.

Shastri shared that India, or any visiting team will easily be satisfied with the series being level after the Test matches in Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane have already been played. He has tipped India to be in the advantage going into the Boxing Day test.

I think India would take this, the way the series is poised. Any overseas team being 1-1, especially with the games being in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, they would take this. Going 1-1 into Boxing Day is the best-case scenario. I would say India have their nose ahead. Even when I was the coach, our mantra was to play extremely hard, fair, and to win.
Ravi Shastri said while speaking to news.com.au.

India started off strong but have faced batting issues in all the innings except for the second innings in the Test match in Perth. India will need to score big runs in the first innings if they need to get the advantage in the MCG Test match.

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Ravi Shastri feels that MCG will decide the fate of the series

Shastri advised the Indian team to find a way of dominating Australia and beating them. The captain and the team management need to pick the 20 wickets to push Australia on the back foot.

The former head coach also recalled how India have been aggressive in the earlier tours and picked up the 20 wickets. He predicted the Boxing Day test to determine the fate of the series.

You have to think of a method to beat Australia and not just compete. You have got to plan properly, how to take your 20 wickets. India have done that and been very aggressive. They have been in the face of Australia and got as good as they get. It has been entertaining and feisty stuff. India have their nose ahead. I think the first day of the Boxing Day Test will determine which way the series will go.
Ravi Shastri said

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If India win the fourth Test match, then they will retain the BGT. Australia have not won the BGT since the home series in 2014/15. They have lost four on the trot (two at home and two away from home). However, India will target wins in both MSG and SCG to qualify for the WTC 2025 final without depending on anyone.