4th Test
Day-1 Evening Session Highlights:
Australia team has benefited from a top-order gift on Boxing Day
At The Stumps of Day-1:
Australia scored 311/6 (1st Innings) vs India
Australia’s top-order rediscovered their form over the festive period, giving the hosts a strong advantage on Boxing Day.
After winning their first toss of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia’s top four—Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith—all scored fifties.
While the first three fell short of centuries, their contributions were crucial in Australia’s Day 1 total of 311 for 6.
For India, Jasprit Bumrah’s double strike in the final session and Akash Deep’s spirited effort kept them in the contest.
Australia aimed to disrupt India’s dominance with a new approach, bringing 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas into the fold.
His fearless stroke play, including reverse scoops and bold charges against India’s fast bowlers, stunned the crowd at the MCG.
Konstas had some luck early, as Bumrah beat his bat four times in the first over, but the young batter quickly turned the tide.
In the seventh over, Konstas hit three successful reverse scoops, including two boundaries and one six, marking Bumrah’s first six conceded in Test cricket since the 2021 Sydney Test.
Konstas scored 34 off 33 balls against Bumrah and became Australia’s second-youngest Test half-centurion, reaching 50 off just 52 balls.
He eventually fell for 60 to Jadeja, breaking the 89-run opening stand.
Konstas’ efforts set the stage for Khawaja and Labuschagne, who enjoyed a relatively smooth start.
India’s bowlers tightened their lines in the second session, but Khawaja broke the spell with a boundary.
Despite Bumrah and Deep testing the edges, Australia’s top-order continued to build momentum.
Khawaja reached his first half-century of the series before Bumrah claimed his fifth wicket against the opener, dismissing Khawaja for 57.
Smith and Labuschagne then took control, with Smith looking particularly confident against Jadeja.
However, Labuschagne fell for 51, caught by Virat Kohli off Washington Sundar, bringing Australia’s score from 237 for 2 to 246 for 5.
Bumrah followed up with two more breakthroughs, dismissing Travis Head for a duck and Mitchell Marsh for 4, leaving Australia on the back foot.
However, a 53-run stand between Smith and Alex Carey steadied the innings before Carey was dismissed for 31.
Smith, unbeaten on 68, remained at the crease as the session ended.
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