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Australia vs India 4th Test Predictions - Australia to take series lead in Melbourne

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 24 Dec 2024

Simon Lewis 24 Dec 2024

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Australia and India are level at 1-1 after three matches.
Travis Head and Steven Smith in form for Australia; KL Rahul shines for India.
Josh Hazelwood and Shami ruled out; squad changes anticipated.

Expired

Travis Head has been in superb form all series (Getty images)

Australia vs India Preview

Australia should have won the last Test and if it weren't for rain, likely would have. However, both teams have another opportunity in Melbourne to take a lead that will ensure the series cannot be lost.

Australia vs India Preview
Head to Head
Australia Form
Australia Injuries & Team News
India Form
India Injuries & Team News

Australia have won 7 of their last 10 Test matches.
Australia’s Travis Head has scored 89, 140 & 152 runs in 3 of his last 4 Test innings.
India have lost 4 of their last 6 Test matches.
India’s KL Rahul scored 84 runs in the 1st innings of the 3rd Test.

Head to Head

Australia and India are level at 1-1 after three matches. The last game ended in a draw.

Australia Form

Australia will be disappointed that they are still level after the weather gods ensured they couldn’t win in Brisbane during the third Test. The hosts did everything right, scoring 445 runs batting first.

Steven Smith returned to form with 101 runs while Travis Head continued his magnificent run, smashing 152 off 160 balls. Australia then had India in trouble but let the visitors off the hook by allowing them to avoid the follow-on as rain interrupted play constantly.

At 201 for eight it looked good for the hosts until the final couple wickets took India to 260. In a rush for runs, Australia declared on 87-7, leaving India needing 275 for victory.

India only had to see out 2.1 overs before rain again came and no further play was possible.

Australia Injuries & Team News

Josh Hazelwood is again ruled out through injury which should see Scott Boland come back into the mix. Sam Konstas could also debut at the top of the order.

India Form

After impressively winning the first Test, India were well beaten in the pink-ball second Test. However, with no more pink-ball Test on the radar, India will be confident they can still win the series, particularly considering their good record at the MCG.

KL Rahul looked in good form in the last Test, scoring 84 at the top of the order while Ravindra Jadeja added 77 runs. The total of 260 was however well off the 445 Australia posted.

With time running out for a result, bowled well to hold Australia to 89-7 in their pursuit of quick runs. But, just after declaring, the rain came and India were saved from defeat.

India Injuries & Team News

Shami has been ruled out for the series with a knee injury while Ravi Ashwin has retired. The team should remain pretty similar other than those two.

Verdict

Australia v India 4th Test

Australia are backed to win in Melbourne with the incredible form of Travis Head tipped to continue. KL Rahul looked solid in the last Test and can top score for India.

Australia Win

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