Australia v India cricket betting tips | Boxing Day Test 2024

Australia vs India best bets

Australia vs India Boxing Day Test preview

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Australia and India is locked at 1-1 as we head to the MCG for the Boxing Day Test, starting this Thursday.

With the Aussies improving significantly across the two Tests since their heavy defeat in Perth, online bookmakers have them as $1.62 favourites to win in Melbourne. On the flipside, India come in at $2.87 after a pair of poor displays in Adelaide and Brisbane.

It was a frustrating affair at the Gabba last week as a rain-affected game ended in a draw. Australia controlled the match from the outset but ran out of time to force a result, with the rain returning shortly after they had sent in the tourists to chase down 275 on the final day.

After that result, the odds for the series have changed drastically with top cricket bookies. Australia remain favourites at $2.10, while India offer odds of $4. However, odds for the draw have shortened substantially to $3.

Melbourne has been a happy hunting ground for India in recent years. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy holders have won their last two Test matches at the venue, while they haven’t lost there since 2011.

However, over the last few summers, the MCG pitch has changed from a flat, batter-friendly surface to a greener, more lively wicket, which is something that should favour the Aussies.

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Australia vs India team news – Boxing Day Test 2024

Two changes are expected to the Australian team after fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was ruled out with a calf injury and opening batsman Nathan McSweeney was dropped from the squad.

Victorian fast bowler Scott Boland is expected to replace Hazlewood, just as he did for the second Test. Meanwhile, Australia are set to hand 19-year-old Sam Konstas his debut at the top of the order.

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement after the last Test match, but don’t expect any changes to the team after Akash Deep and Ravindra Jadeja both put in strong efforts in Brisbane.

Australia vs India Boxing Day Test predictions

Despite not winning the Test in Brisbane, Australia were by far the better side across the first two innings. Outside of star quick Jasprit Bumrah, India’s bowling has been quite expensive, while their middle order has struggled with the Aussie attack. As favourites, back the home side to win at $1.62 with Bet365.

With 285 more runs than anyone else in the Australian team this series, Travis Head is having a stellar summer. At a strike rate of 94 he is punishing every loose delivery, while the Indian field placements seem more concerned about limiting his scoring than getting him out. Given just one other Aussie has scored more than 100 runs this series, Head is the obvious choice to be the top Australian batsman at $4.75 with top sports betting sites.

Similarly for India, Bumrah has been a class above with 21 wickets at an average of just 10. He has been India’s leading bowler in every innings of the series while bowling more overs than anyone else. While there is little value at $2.35 with major Australian bookmakers, Bumrah is the safe bet to be India’s top wicket-taker in the first innings.

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