Chandrasekhar's 2 six-fers to Rahane's captain's knock, the 76-year-old history of India vs Australia clashes at the MCG

Team India is gearing up for the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The series is delicately poised at 1-1 after The Gabba Test ends in a draw. The Boxing Day Test will be hosted at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Here is a brief history of India's clashes at the MCG. 
 

India played their first Test against Australia at the MCG in 1948. Don Bradman scored twin centuries. After Vinoo Mankad's century in first innings, India were bowled out for 125 in the run chase and lost by 233 runs.
 

India first win at the MCG came in 1977. It was their fourth appearance at the venue. Bhagwath Chandrasekhar bagged six wickets each in both innings. In the batting department, Sunil Gavaskar scored a century in the second innings. India beat Australia by 222 runs to script history.
 

India's second Test win at the MCG came in 1981. Gundappa Viswanath scored a century in the first innings. In the second innings, openers Sunil Gavaskar and Chetan Chauhan's half-centuries helped set a target of 143 runs. Kapil Dev wreaked havoc and bowled out hosts for 83 as India won by 59 runs.
 

Decades later in 2018, India beat Australia by 137 runs at the MCG. Cheteshwar Pujara scored a century and then Jasprit Bumrah ran through Australia's batting linep with a six-wicket haul. Chasing a target of 399, Australia were bowled out for 261 in the absence of David Warner and Steve Smith.
 

On the previous tour, India won the Boxing Day Test, Ajinkya Rahane-led side beat Australia by 8 wickets. Skipper Rahane scored a century. Indian bowlers were clinical in both innings bowling the hosts out for 195 and 200 respectively. Chasing a non-threatening target of 70, India won the Test by 8 wickets.
 

India and Australia have locked horns at the MCG 14 times over 76 years. India have four wins, eight losses at the venue whereas two ended in a draw. Australia have not beaten India at the MCG since 2011. The clash in 2014 ended in a draw.