The Boxing Day Test is set to begin in a few days and India will be looking to get back to winning ways to take an unassailable lead in the ongoing series. The visitors have not lost a Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in their last two Australian tours and will be looking to register a hat-trick of wins when they take on Australia this weekend.
This iconic venue has been the stage for some unforgettable performances from India. As Rohit Sharma's side prepare for the fourth match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, let's take a look at the top five highest scores made by Indian players at this historic ground.
Sachin Tendulkar scored a century in the 1999 Boxing Day Test. Australia made 405 in their first innings with contributions from Michael Slater (91) and Ricky Ponting (67). India's batting order faltered, but the Little Master scored 116 while no other Indian batsman could go beyond 31. The Men in Blue could only manage 238 in the first innings. Australia set a target of 208 in the second innings. India faltered again, were bowled out for 195 and lost by 180 runs.
After India were all out for 36 during the 2020 Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, Rahane scored 112 off 223 balls in the second Test of the series after Australia were bundled out for 195 in the first innings, providing stability to the Indian innings and helping them gain a lead. India bundled out Australia for 200 in the second innings and chased down the target with ease, winning by 8 wickets.
Virender Sehwag was brilliant with his innings on Boxing Day in 2003. Sehwag scored 195 runs off just 233 balls and provided a solid foundation after India's top order collapsed. India scored 366 in the first innings, but Australia posted a challenging 558 thanks to Ricky Ponting's 257. In the second innings, India could only manage 286 despite Rahul Dravid's 92 and Sourav Ganguly's 73. Australia won the match by 9 wickets
Indian star Cheteshwar Pujara has been India's most successful batsman in Tests and his Boxing Day innings in 2018 is a perfect example of it. In the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19, the veteran scored 106 runs off 319 balls, with Virat Kohli (82) making crucial contributions. In reply, Australia were bowled out for 151. After achieving the target, India won the match by 137 runs.
The 2014 Boxing Day Test in Melbourne was part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia batted first and scored a mammoth 530 runs thanks to Steve Smith's 192 and Ryan Harris' 74. India had a mountain to climb, but Virat Kohli showed his toughness and class. In the first innings, Kohli scored 169 runs off 272 balls and shared a brilliant partnership with Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane added 147 runs. Together, the duo took India to a competitive score of 465 runs. In the second innings, Kohli scored a quickfire 54, but the match eventually ended in a draw.
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