The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2023, held in India, witnessed yet another dominant performance by the hosts as they secured a 2-1 series win over Australia. This marked India’s fourth consecutive BGT series win with the same margin, showcasing their supremacy in this iconic bilateral Test series. The 2023 series was also the last time the BGT featured four matches, with plans for a revised structure in the future.

Key Highlights of the Series

1. India’s Strong Start:
   • The series opener in Nagpur saw India demolish Australia by an innings and 132 runs, setting the tone for the series.
2. Delhi Domination:
   • In the second Test in New Delhi, Rohit Sharma’s side secured a 6-wicket win, further cementing their lead in the series.
3. Australia’s Fightback:
   • In the third Test in Indore, stand-in captain Steve Smith led Australia to a commanding 9-wicket victory, as the visitors exploited a spin-friendly pitch to perfection.
4. Draw in Ahmedabad:
   • The fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad ended in a draw on a flat batting track, ensuring India retained the trophy. Despite the stalemate, India qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, thanks to New Zealand’s win over Sri Lanka in a parallel contest.

Standout Performers

• Usman Khawaja (Australia): The opener emerged as the leading run-scorer with 333 runs, including a century, showcasing consistency against India’s formidable bowling attack.
• Ravichandran Ashwin (India): The premier off-spinner was named Player of the Series for his remarkable haul of 25 wickets across four Tests, demonstrating his mastery in home conditions.

A Historic Series

The BGT 2023 added another chapter to India’s dominance in the rivalry, maintaining their unbeaten streak at home since the series began in 1996-97. With four consecutive series wins, India continues to hold the trophy, named after legendary captains Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar.

The focus now shifts to the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where India aims to extend their legacy in Australia.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released a medical and fitness update regarding Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami. Despite his determined efforts to regain full fitness, Shami has been deemed unfit to participate in the remaining two Tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This decision comes after a detailed assessment by the BCCI Medical Team.

Shami’s Recovery and Efforts

Shami had been recovering from right heel surgery, a process closely monitored by the BCCI Medical Team at the Centre of Excellence. He showcased promising progress, bowling 43 overs in a Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh and participating in all nine matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Additionally, he undertook intensive bowling sessions to build volume and prepare for the rigors of Test cricket.

Setback with Knee Swelling

However, the left-arm pacer experienced minor swelling in his left knee due to increased joint loading. The BCCI clarified that this swelling is an expected outcome of prolonged bowling loads after a layoff. Unfortunately, the medical team determined that Shami requires additional time to manage these loads safely and avoid further complications.

BCCI’s Statement

Given the current medical evaluation, the BCCI Medical Team ruled Shami out of consideration for the remaining Tests. He will continue targeted strength and conditioning programs at the Centre of Excellence to build his fitness and readiness for longer formats.

Looking Ahead

Shami’s participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will depend on his recovery trajectory. This marks another setback for Shami, whose return to the Indian team has been eagerly anticipated since his last appearance in the 2023 World Cup final.

After two consecutive days of intense training, the Indian cricket team will take a rest day on Monday ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Australia. Having drawn the third Test in Brisbane, the Indian players were quick to start preparations upon arriving in Melbourne, but Monday will provide them a chance to recuperate.

Meanwhile, the Australian team is set to have their first net session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on the same day. The upcoming match is a must-win for India to keep their Border-Gavaskar Trophy hopes alive and enhance their chances of securing a spot in the World Test Championship final.

Injury concerns during training

India’s training sessions over the weekend included some injury concerns:

• KL Rahul suffered a back injury scare during a freak incident.
• Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, was spotted with an ice pack on his knee after being struck in the nets. He was also seen using a baseball bat for specific drills to improve his fielding and batting technique.
• Pacer Akash Deep reportedly took a blow during Sunday’s session.

Despite these issues, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli led from the front, being among the first to hit the nets in Melbourne.

Fans meet their heroes

On their rest day, some lucky fans had the chance to meet the Indian cricketers at their team hotel. The playersclicked pictures with fans near the stay, taking time out of their recovery schedule to engage with supporters.

Match details

The IND vs AUS Boxing Day Test will commence on December 26 at the MCG, with a packed stadium expected to witness the crucial encounter. With the series tied at 1-1, both teams are aiming for a lead as the stakes for the WTC final continue to rise.

The upcoming Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) promises an exciting contest, with Jasprit Bumrah expected to lead India’s bowling attack on a green-top surface. The MCG’s chief curator, Matt Page, has assured fans of a pitch that will excite top bowlers and make for a thrilling spectacle.

According to Page, the pitch at the MCG has been prepared to offer pace and bounce, making it a dream for fast bowlers. While the surface won’t match the speed of Perth or Brisbane, it has improved significantly in recent years. “All the good bowlers get excited when they come here now. Over the last few years, we’ve managed to get some pace in it, which has created that excitement,” said Page. He added that the surface would also be adjusted to suit the weather conditions on match day.

Bumrah has been India’s standout performer in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, claiming 21 wickets in three Tests. His consistent performances have been instrumental in keeping Australia on the backfoot.

Bumrah’s match-by-match performance:

• 1st Test: 6/76 & 3/18
• 2nd Test: 4/61 & 0/2
• 3rd Test: 5/30 & 3/42

As India and Australia prepare for the critical fourth Test, the battle between Jasprit Bumrah and Travis Head could prove decisive. Head has been in stellar form, leading the run-scoring charts with 409 runs in the series, while Bumrah has been India’s go-to bowler for breakthroughs.

With the series tied at 1-1 and a spot in the World Test Championship final on the line, the Boxing Day Test is a must-win for India. Bumrah’s ability to exploit the green-top surface could be the defining factor in tilting the contest in India’s favor. Fans can anticipate a fiery display from India’s premier pacer as the team fights to take the lead in the series.

Australia’s cricketing future looks bright as 19-year-old Sam Konstas is set to debut in the Boxing Day Test against India. Hailing from Sydney, the young batter will become the second youngest Australian Test debutant this century, following in the footsteps of Pat Cummins. The decision comes as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) stands evenly poised at 1-1 after three matches.

Mentored by former all-rounder Shane Watson, Konstas has quickly risen through the ranks. His breakthrough performance came during the 2023 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, where he played a pivotal role in Australia’s championship victory. Domestically, he has impressed with 718 runs in just 11 first-class matches at an average of 42.23 for New South Wales.

Initially overlooked for Australia A, Konstas forced the selectors’ hands with a sensational 107 off 97 balls for the Prime Minister’s XI against India. Facing a formidable Indian bowling attack comprising Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Ravindra Jadeja, Konstas dominated, showcasing his ability to handle high-pressure situations.

Konstas replaces Nathan McSweeney in the lineup, with Usman Khawaja’s continued struggle for form also influencing the decision. This selection adds a youthful dimension to Australia’s squad, which aims to bounce back strongly in the critical Boxing Day Test.

Australia’s Squad for 4th & 5th Tests:

• Pat Cummins (c)
• Sean Abbott
• Scott Boland
• Alex Carey
• Travis Head
• Josh Inglis
• Usman Khawaja
• Sam Konstas
• Marnus Labuschagne
• Nathan Lyon
• Mitchell Marsh
• Jhye Richardson
• Steve Smith
• Mitchell Starc
• Beau Webster

The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is crucial for both teams as they vie for a spot in the World Test Championship final. For Konstas, it is an opportunity to cement his place in the Australian setup while Australia looks to leverage his explosive batting to tilt the series in their favor.

Australia’s 19-year-old batting prodigy, Sam Konstas, is set to make his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The highly anticipated clash will see Konstas potentially facing off against India’s premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah.

“I won’t watch too much [of Bumrah]. I have already seen him a lot. But I am excited to challenge myself and face him,” Konstas shared, expressing confidence ahead of the high-stakes match.

Konstas has had a stellar rise in Australian cricket, marked by exceptional performances in domestic tournaments. He became the youngest player since 1993 to score twin centuries in a Sheffield Shield match, showcasing his potential against seasoned opponents.

The Boxing Day Test, starting December 26, is a pivotal match with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series tied at 1-1. Konstas’s inclusion is aimed at strengthening Australia’s batting lineup as they seek to regain control in the series.

Facing Jasprit Bumrah will undoubtedly be a challenging test for Konstas. However, his current form and composure suggest he is well-prepared for the battle. His performance could prove crucial in shaping the outcome of this tightly contested series.

India emerged victorious in the Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup final, defeating Bangladesh by 41 runs at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, December 22. This win marks a historic moment as India becomes the inaugural champions of the tournament.

India’s innings:

Bangladesh captain Sumaiya Akter opted to bowl first after winning the toss in the high-pressure final. Gongadi Trisha led India’s batting with a composed 52 off 47 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes, even as wickets fell at regular intervals. Mithila Vinod provided a late boost with a quick 17 off 12 balls, helping India post a competitive total of 117/7 in their 20 overs.

Farjana Easmin was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, taking 4/31 in her four overs. Trisha’s performance not only anchored India’s innings but also made her the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

Bangladesh’s reply:

Bangladesh’s chase got off to a poor start, losing Mosammat Eva in the second over. Despite Fahomida Choya’s efforts to stabilize the innings, key wickets, including captain Sumaiya Akter, fell cheaply.

Wicketkeeper-batter Juairiya Ferdous kept Bangladesh’s hopes alive with a patient 22 off 30 balls. However, her dismissal in the 15th over left Bangladesh at 64/5, needing 54 runs from the final 34 deliveries. The lower order collapsed under pressure, with the last five wickets falling for just 12 runs.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 76 in 18.3 overs, handing India a convincing 41-run win.

Key performers:

• India:
  • Aayushi Shukla: 3/17 in 3.3 overs
  • Sonam Yadav and Parunika Sisodia: 2 wickets each
  • Gongadi Trisha: 52 runs (leading tournament scorer)
• Bangladesh:
  • Farjana Easmin: 4/31 in 4 overs
  • Juairiya Ferdous: 22 runs

India’s comprehensive performance capped a dominant campaign, securing the inaugural Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup title.

The relationship between the Indian cricket team and Australian journalists remains strained as another press conference by the visiting side was conducted entirely in Hindi, intensifying the tension ahead of the Boxing Day Test.

This development follows the controversy surrounding Ravindra Jadeja’s earlier press conference, where Australian media accused the Indian all-rounder of refusing to answer questions in English. However, closer scrutiny revealed that Jadeja’s responses were in Hindi because the questions were posed by Indian journalists in their native language.

Background of the controversy

Australian outlet Channel 7 alleged that the press conference was tailored exclusively for Indian media, sidelining Australian journalists. However, sources clarified:

• Jadeja responded to questions in Hindi because they were asked in that language.
• He did not avoid or refuse to answer English-language questions.

The press conference, being unofficial, was primarily organized for Indian media, and Cricket Australia representatives were informed of this arrangement. The timing was also constrained by the team’s travel schedule, explaining Jadeja’s early departure.

Recent developments

The latest press conference, also conducted in Hindi, has been perceived by some as a continuation of “mind games” by the Indian team ahead of the high-stakes Boxing Day Test. The lack of English responses has further frustrated sections of the Australian media, escalating tensions during India’s tour Down Under.

Impact on India-Australia relations

The ongoing friction highlights the cultural and logistical challenges during international tours. While the Indian team management has adhered to its planned media interactions, the Australian media’s portrayal of these incidents suggests growing unease as the two cricketing giants gear up for a blockbuster Test.

Efforts to bridge this gap and foster better communication could help alleviate misunderstandings in the future.