Match Details
The second Test of the three-match series between Australia and India will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne.
This match will start at 5 AM IST (10:30 AM local). It will be live on Sony TEN 1, Sony TEN 1 HD and can be streamed live on Sony LIV.
Preview
Australia and India will face off in the second Test of the four-match series from Saturday at the MCG. The Boxing Day Test has its own history and the visitors won the last time they played here. But they will miss Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami for the rest of the series. Australia also will miss their opener David Warner and they are set to field the unchanged XI for this Test.
AUS vs IND Weather Report for Match 2
There is a chance of afternoon showers on Sunday but the weather is set to be fair for the rest of the days.
Pitch Report
Pitch at the MCG for the last couple of years has been flat and good for batting. But Pat Cummins asked for a sporting pitch ahead of the game and it will be interesting to see if curator leaves some grass on the surface.
Average first innings score
412 (Last three Boxing Day Tests)
Injury & Availability News
Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami are not available for India for the rest of the series
David Warner has been ruled out of the second Test.
AUS vs IND Today’s Probable Playing XIs:
Australia
Joe Burns, Matthew Wade, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (C & WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Bench
Marcus Harris, Moises Henriques, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Mitchell Swepson
India
Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj/Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah.
Bench
Wriddhiman Saha, Mohammed Siraj/Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav.
AUS vs IND Top picks for Today’s 11Wickets Match:
Steve Smith has to be one of your top picks for this match despite failure in the previous game. He averages 62.32 in Test cricket. Marnus Labuschagne averages 60.48 in the longest format of the game and scored 47 in the first innings of Adelaide Test. Pat Cummins picked up four wickets in second innings of Adelaide Test. Cheteshwar Pujara slammed a brilliant century on 2018-19 tour at the MCG. He is the most important batsman in the Indian team.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection
Captain Options: Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith, Cheteshwar Pujara
Vice-Captain Options: Marnus Labuschagne, Pat Cummins, Jasprit Bumrah
Suggested Playing XI No. 1 for AUS vs IND 11Wickets Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Tim Paine
Batsmen – Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (C), Cheteshwar Pujara (VC), Ajinkya Rahane
All-Rounders – Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja
Bowlers – Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jasprit Bumrah
12th Man – Rishabh Pant
Suggested Playing XI No. 2 for AUS vs IND 11Wickets Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Matthew Wade, Rishabh Pant
Batsmen – Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara
All-Rounders – Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja
Bowlers – Mitchell Starc (C), Josh Hazlewood, Jasprit Bumrah (VC)
12th Man – Travis Head
Expert Advice
Marnus Labuschagne is a good captaincy option in Grand Leagues along with Ravi Ashwin as both of them did well in the previous Test.
AUS vs IND Probable Winners
Australia are expected to win this match.
