In the five-match series of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25, India will face the Australians for the fourth time. The two teams will square off in an exciting Boxing Day Test in the fourth game of the current series at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Interestingly, the series is currently tied at one, making the match at the ‘G’ practically a make-or-break game for both teams trying to avoid losing the series. In addition, India has only reached the 200-run barrier once in the three Test matches, demonstrating a dismal first innings batting record thus far in the series.
Former national batting coach Sanjay Bangar has offered his analysis of the current state of India’s performance, arguing that the visitors’ first-inning performances will have a significant impact on the team’s performance in the rest of the series.
The conclusion ought to be that we must score a lot of runs in the opening inning. Because first-inning runs are so important in international Test matches, your top order will need to score runs if you want to score a lot in
The first innings,” Sanjay Bangar told Star Sports.
“I think you’ve worked really hard to get to where you are. You now need to unwind a bit, have faith in your abilities, and score a lot of runs in the first inning. “I don’t think any member of the Australian team can even attempt to touch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy if we can achieve that resolution,” the former batting coach continued.
India has also been under pressure during the matches due to their first-inning totals of 150, 180, and 260 in Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane, respectively. The Indians will be looking to get beyond the problem that has plagued them throughout the series so far. The Australian pacers have clearly had an advantage over the opposition’s batting lineup.
India
