The fourth Test of the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins at the MCG on December 26-30, with the series tied at 1-1. Australia, with a strong lineup led by Pat Cummins and containing elite batsmen like as Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, hopes to gain an advantage. Meanwhile, India, led by Rohit Sharma and bolstered by veterans like as Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, seeks to regain momentum. Expect a fierce battle as both sides compete for supremacy in this pivotal encounter. 

Ravindra Jadeja urges top-order to fire in Boxing Day Test

Star India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on Saturday said lack of runs from the top-order builds pressure on the lower-order and called for an improved performance from the batting unit in the Boxing Day Test here.

Jadeja played a crucial role in the rain-hit third Test against Australia at Brisbane, scoring a gritty 77 in the first innings to help India secure a draw.

India’s top-order struggled in Brisbane, barring opener KL Rahul, who scored a valiant 84. The rest of the top and middle order crumbled, but Jadeja, playing his first match of the tour, kept India afloat.

The match was eventually saved by the last-wicket stand between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep, who produced a heroic partnership to avoid the follow-on.

While Washington Sundar was preferred in the opening Test in Perth, Ravichandran Ashwin featured in the second Test in Adelaide.

Jadeja said missing the first two matches worked to his advantage as it allowed him to acclimatize to the conditions and prepare for the Gabba Test.

India had secured a massive 295-run win at Perth, but Australia levelled the series with a commanding 10-wicket victory in the Pink Ball Test at Adelaide.

With the series tied 1-1, India needs just one win in the remaining matches to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Jadeja emphasized the significance of the Boxing Day Test.

Ashwin didn’t even give me a hint ====================== The Brisbane Test also witnessed the retirement of veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, a decision that took Jadeja by surprise.

Ashwin retired with an illustrious record of 537 Test wickets at an average of 24 and 3,503 runs, including six centuries. He also claimed 156 wickets in ODIs and 72 in T20Is.

Describing Ashwin as his mentor, Jadeja said: 

Following Ashwin’s retirement, Jadeja expressed hope that the team could find a suitable replacement.

(PTI)