India and Australia clash in the 4th Test match in Melbourne while the WTC leaders South Africa host Pakistan in their first Test in Centurion. Afghanistan and Zimbabwe also clash in the Boxing Day Test match starting on Thursday.

Australia heaved a major sigh of relief on Wednesday after skipper Pat Cummins declared run-machine Travis Head fit for the Boxing Day test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Melbourne pitch is expected to be pace-friendly for the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India. The five-match Test series is evenly poised at 1-1 after three matches.

India have been undefeated in Boxing Day Tests against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for over a decade since 2014 across three appearances.

India have been unbeaten in Boxing Day Tests against Australia at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for over a decade since 2014 across three appearances. Find out more about India's records in Boxing Day Test matches,

Ravi Shastri feels that India have exploited Australia's "brittle" top order in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India have won four out of 14 Tests at the MCG, having also won back-to-back matches in 2018 and 2020. The ongoing Test series is currently locked at 1-1 with two Tests remaining.

The Boxing Day Test between Australia and India at the MCG is crucial, with valuable World Test Championship points at stake. The pitch is expected to remain seam-friendly rather than spin-friendly, despite visible grass and high temperatures potentially influencing conditions.

India have played 14 Tests at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, winning just four and losing eight. Two matches ended in a draw.