AUS vs IND Dream11 Prediction, 4th Test: Australia vs India Fantasy XI, Captain and Vice-Captain Choices

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AUS vs IND Dream11 Prediction, 4th Test: India will take on Australia in the Boxing Day Test, the fourth encounter of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the MCG starting Thursday, December 26.

The Gabba Test ending in a draw, it is set to be a riveting race to the finish with crucial World Test Championship points at stake. It's not often that Australia have been made to sweat in home Test summer but it's thrice in a row that the culprits have been familiar, India. The series is currently tied at 1-1, with both teams aiming to clinch the lead in Melbourne.

Match Information

• Date: December 26-30, 2024
• Time: 5:00 AM IST, 10:30 AM Local Time
• Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
• Broadcast: Star Sports Network
• Live Stream: Disney+Hotstar

Pitch and Weather Conditions

The MCG's drop-in pitch is expected to favour seamers on the first day, with the new ball likely to create challenges. By the second and third days, batters can anticipate easier conditions to score. However, the fourth and fifth days may see variable bounce. The temperature on the opening day is set to hover around 40°C, adding an extra layer of challenge for players.

Australia vs India Preview

Australia

Australia enter the fourth Test with a renewed sense of confidence after a hard-fought draw at the Gabba. The hosts have been consistent with their top order, led by Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, who have provided solid starts throughout the series. Steven Smith’s century in the previous Test was a masterclass in technique and resilience, demonstrating why he remains one of the world's premier Test batters. The inclusion of debutant Sam Konstas is a strategic move to strengthen their middle order, with his domestic form offering a glimmer of hope. On the bowling front, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc remain their trusted strike duo, combining pace and accuracy to trouble India's formidable batting lineup. Nathan Lyon’s experience on the spin-friendly Melbourne track will also be crucial for breaking partnerships in the middle overs.

India

India’s journey in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been a rollercoaster, with moments of brilliance interspersed with patches of inconsistency. Jasprit Bumrah has been the standout performer for the visitors, leading the bowling attack with 21 wickets in the series. His ability to bowl under pressure, especially with reverse swing, has been instrumental in keeping India competitive. The Indian batting, however, has been underwhelming, with senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma yet to deliver match-defining performances. KL Rahul has been the silver lining, scoring 235 runs in the series, but India will need contributions from their middle order to counter Australia's disciplined bowling attack. The inclusion of young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy offers a dynamic edge, and they could play a pivotal role in turning the tide in India’s favor.

Key Players

• Travis Head (Australia): Head has been in sublime form this series, amassing 409 runs, including two centuries. His ability to adapt to varying conditions makes him a crucial cog in Australia's batting lineup.
• Jasprit Bumrah (India): With 21 wickets so far, Bumrah has been India’s lynchpin in the bowling department. His lethal combination of pace, bounce, and accuracy has troubled even the best Australian batters.
• Mitchell Starc (Australia): Starc’s dual impact with the ball and bat has added immense value to Australia. With 14 wickets and 76 runs in the series, he has proven his mettle as a game-changer.
• KL Rahul (India): Rahul has been the most reliable Indian batter in the series, with 235 runs to his name. His technique against both pace and spin will be critical on the challenging Melbourne surface.
• Steven Smith (Australia): Smith’s century in the third Test was a testament to his class and ability to anchor the innings under pressure. His form will be vital for Australia’s fortunes in this Test.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal (India): The young left-hander has shown glimpses of brilliance. His fearless approach and strong domestic record could make him a surprise package for India in this match.

AUS vs IND Dream11 Prediction

Wicketkeepers:

Rishabh Pant

Batters:

Steven Smith, Travis Head, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma

All-rounders:

Mitchell Marsh, Nitish Kumar Reddy

Bowlers:

Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins

Captain Choices:

Travis Head, Jasprit Bumrah

Vice-Captain Choices:

Mitchell Starc, KL Rahul

Team News

Australia’s Josh Hazlewood is ruled out due to injury. India have added Tanush Kotian in place of Ravichandran Ashwin, who announced his retirement.

Australia vs India Probable Playing XI

Australia:

Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

India:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Australia vs India Full Squads

India:

Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Tanush Kotian, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar

Australia:

Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Sam Konstas, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster