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There is a stark difference in the practice pitches provided by Cricket Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) ahead of the Boxing Day Test. While India have been given a pitch that lacks a bounce, the strips given to Australia have plenty of bounce which is similar to the surface which will be used for the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. KL Rahul has suffered a blow to his finger whereas Indian captain Rohit Sharma was hit on the knee for the lack of bounce while practicing in the nets. Amidst backlash, MCG pitch curator Matt Page has come with an explanation to justify the difference.
The Test match pitch at the MCG will be drastically different from these practice wickets. However , from today Australian team is practicing and they have got fresh pitches with more pace and bounce.
“We got the schedule of Indian team well ahead. But we usually give match-centric wickets three days before the match. It’s applicable for all teams,” Page told the media on December 23.
The curator also revealed the pitch for the Boxing Day Test will be drastically different from the surfaces provided for practice. The practice pitches givne to Australia have more pace and bounce.
The pitch prepared for the fourth Test has 6mm grass on it. As expected, it will help the fast bowlers on all five days of the Test.
India have a decent record at the MCG in the past decade. In the last two Tests at the venue, India have outclassed the hosts. In 2014, the Test ended in a draw. Australia's last Test win at the MCG against India came in 2011. Overall, the two teams have played 14 Tests at the MCG. India have won four with first win coming in 1977. Two Tests ended in a draw whereas Austraia have won eight.
India's highest run-scorer and wicket-taker at MCG in current squad
In the current squad, Virat Kohli has a good record in Melbourne. He has scored 316 runs from three Tests at an average of 52.66 including one century and two fifties. In the bowling department, it has been a happy hunting ground for Jasprit Bumrah. The in-form pacer has 15 wickets from two Tests including 6 for 33, his best against Australia which came in 2018. He needs just one wicket to go past Anil Kumble's tally of wickets at the venue.
