Australia secured a commanding 184-run victory in one of the most memorable Boxing Day Tests at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), taking a 2-1 lead in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).
India had started the series with a historic win, handing Australia their first-ever Test defeat at Perth’s Optus Stadium. Jasprit Bumrah wreaked havoc with an eight-wicket haul, while centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli in the second innings sealed the triumph.
However, Australia bounced back in Adelaide, maintaining their unbeaten record in day-night Tests at the venue with a dominant 10-wicket win. Travis Head was named Player of the Match for his explosive century in the first innings, which set the tone for the hosts’ resurgence.
What happened last time India faced Australia in SCG?
India’s most recent Test match in Sydney was the third Test of their 2020/21 tour, remembered for the remarkable resilience of Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari. The pair batted for 43 overs on Day 5, forming a gritty sixth-wicket partnership to secure a hard-fought draw.
Australia, batting first, posted 338 runs in their first innings, led by Steve Smith’s outstanding century (138). In response, India seemed steady at 142/3 before a series of three runouts triggered a collapse, limiting their total to 244 runs.
Facing a daunting challenge on the final day, India found themselves at 272/5 after 88 overs, needing to survive 43 more overs to salvage a draw. Despite Ashwin battling back pain and Vihari struggling with a hamstring injury, the duo displayed incredible determination, ensuring India ended the match level at 1-1 in the series after the third Test.
