NEW DELHI: The first day of the highly anticipated fourth Test between India and Australia set the stage for an intriguing contest. As the action unfolds on Day 2 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), cricket fans can look forward to ideal playing conditions, with the weather expected to remain largely uninterrupted.
The first day of the 4th Test between India and Australia at the MCG saw Australia end at 311/6 after an eventful day filled with dramatic moments.
Debutant Sam Konstas lit up the morning with an aggressive 60 off 65 balls, entertaining a bumper Boxing Day crowd with bold strokes and confrontations, including a shoulder bump with Virat Kohli. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne also stole the show with 57 and 72 runs, respectively.
Jasprit Bumrah’s sharp bowling and key dismissals, supported by Akash Deep and Washington Sundar, kept India in the contest.
At Stumps, Steve Smith anchored the innings, remaining unbeaten on 68 alongside skipper Pat Cummins.
India vs Australia: Timings in IST
- First session: 5 am to 7 am.
- Lunch: 7 am to 7:40 am.
- Second session: 7:40 am to 9:40 am.
- Tea: 9:40 am to 10 am.
- Third session: 10 am to 12 pm.
According to AccuWeather, the morning will kick off with mostly cloudy skies and a temperature of around 20°C. Winds blowing from the west at 19 km/h, with gusts up to 39 km/h, could assist fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep, creating opportunities for movement early on.
Humidity at 57% ensures the pitch retains some moisture, keeping it lively for the pacers. With just a 2% chance of rain, no interruptions are expected.
Temperatures will rise slightly to 21°C by the afternoon, maintaining comfortable playing conditions. However, a stronger south-southwesterly breeze, with wind speeds of 22 km/h and gusts reaching 46 km/h, might affect the trajectory of deliveries, posing a challenge for batters and bowlers alike.
Cloud cover increases to 85%, creating diffused light, which could make catching tricky for fielders. Humidity drops to 42%, ensuring the pitch starts drying, favouring batters as the session progresses.
While Day 2 will see favourable conditions for the pacers in the early hours, the expected breezy and overcast environment will also challenge the batters’ patience and shot selection throughout the day.
