It’s time for the iconic boxing day Test match as Australia and India will battle it out in the second Test from tomorrow. Ahead of the historic test match we bring you all the fantasy Tips, Predicted XI, Top fantasy picks and much more.
Match Timings: 5: 30 am IST (set your alarms)
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
The match will be telecasted on Sony Ten network and viewers can also see the live match on Sony Liv App.
Match Preview
The first Test ended up being a match to forget for team India as they lost the Test on day 3. The visitors were bundled out for mere 36 as Aussie fast bowlers again showed their quality. The tour is now expected to get tougher for India as their skipper Virat Kohli will not be playing the last 3 Test matches. Australia will be again looking to be ruthless and intimidate the youngsters of India and take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Head To Head
Overall- 99 matches
Australia won- 43
India won- 28
Weather Forecast
The conditions are expected to be partly cloudy in the next 4-5 days during the Test match with possibility of showers on Day 2.
Average First Innings Score
Around 350 runs
Injury and Availability News
The Indian team have again announced their playing XI one day before the Test match. Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj will be making their much-awaited debut in the second Test. Rishabh Pant comes back in the squad in place of Saha and Ravindra Jadeja has recovered from his concussion and plays the MCG Test.
As far as Aussies are concerned they are expected to play an unchanged XI as David Warner is still recovering and will miss the second Test.
Also Read: Australia vs India 2020: Boxing-Day Test Preview: Team India Test of Character in Melbourne
Fantasy Tips – Australia vs India
Predicted XI
India: Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane ©, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj.
Australia: Joe Burns, Matthew Wade, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (C&WK), Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
Also Read: India Could Be All Out For 150 Without Virat Kohli- Monty Panesar
Australia vs India – Top Fantasy Picks
Steve Smith: He may have missed out in the first Test but when it’s a test match you just can’t look beyond Steve Smith. The legendary Aussie batsman has a staggering record against India in Test and is again the dangerman with the bat for the visitors.
Josh Hazelwood: The fast bowler bowled a dream spell in the second innings at Adelaide and picked a memorable 5 wicket haul. Come the MCG Test, Hazelwood is again expected to be Australia’s trump card with the ball, hence he must be part of your fantasy squad.
Cheteshwar Pujara: Now with Virat Kohli no longer part of the Test series, Cheteshwar Pujara becomes India’s most important batsman. Pujara scored a 100 the last time he played at MCG and he will be keen to replicate it and bat for long hours in the second Test.
Jasprit Bumrah: With the ball in hand onus will be on Jasprit Bumrah to deliver and help India win the Test. Bumrah thrives under pressure and we might see him at his best during the second Test match which is why picking him in your fantasy side should be a no brainer.
Captain and Vice-Captain Picks
Captain: Steve Smith
Vice-Captain: Cheteshwar Pujara
Fantasy 11 Team
Wicket-Keeper – Tim Paine, Rishabh Pant
Batsmen – Cheteshwar Pujara, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Mayank Agarwal
All-Rounders – Cameron Green, Ravindra Jadeja
Bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazelwood, Pat Cummins, R. Ashwin
Also Read: Team India Announces Playing XI For Boxing Day Test
