IND vs AUS, 4th Test: Will rain wash out Day 3 of Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at Melbourne?

Following the conclusion of Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 (BGT) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, there are concerns that play on Day 3 may be affected by rain.

According to the weather monitoring website AccuWeather, there is a 79 per cent chance of rain in Melbourne on December 28.

The weather monitoring website also predicts 2.5 hours of rain, with a possible accumulation of 0.14 inches. Cloud cover is expected to be around 66 per cent on Saturday morning, increasing to 98 per cent in the afternoon.

However, Sunday is forecast to be partly sunny and pleasant, with only a 2 per cent chance of precipitation and 47 per cent cloud cover. Monday is expected to have similar weather, with a 3 per cent chance of precipitation and 59 per cent cloud cover.

Earlier, on December 25, AccuWeather’s forecast indicated that there was little chance of rain until Monday, but the first three days are expected to be cloudy. The probability of rain is forecasted to be between 0 per cent and 2 per cent on the opening two days, with a possible evening shower on Day 3. The chance of rain may increase to 24 per cent on Day 3. However, the weather is expected to be mostly sunny in the final two days.

India VS Australia, 4th Test, Day 2:

At the close of play on Day 2, India had scored 164/5 in 46 overs, trailing by 310 runs. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja will resume for India on Day 3.

Earlier, Australia posted a total of 474 runs before losing all their wickets in 122.4 overs on Day 2.

Steve Smith scored his 34th Test century and his fifth at the MCG. This was also his 11th century in 43 innings against India.

Smith made 140 runs off 197 deliveries, supported by Marnus Labuschagne (72), Usman Khawaja (57), and Sam Konstas (60).

For India, Jasprit Bumrah took four wickets, Ravindra Jadeja claimed three, Akash Deep took two, and Washington Sundar picked up one wicket.

Trailing by 475 runs, India quickly lost skipper Rohit Sharma (3) and KL Rahul (24). However, Yashasvi Jaiswal (82) and Virat Kohli (36) guided India to a score of 164/5 in 46 overs.

For Australia, Pat Cummins and Scott Boland each took two wickets.