Pat Cummins won the toss anddecided to bat first first in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday55bmw, December 26. (IND Vs AUS 4th Test Day 1 Blog | More Cricket News)

Check Playing XIs:

Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj

Speaking at the toss, Cummins said. "We gonna have a bat today. There's a bit of a grass like an old MCG wicket. It's been a great series so far. As a child in Australia when you wake up, you have a good night's sleep after Christmas, and you look forward to the first ball. Sam will open the batting and Scott also comes in for Hazlewood."

Rohit too asserted that they would have batted first here. Here's what he said at the toss, "We would have batted as well. The series is 1-1, a lot to play for, it gives us a perfect opportunity to show what we are as a team. Whatever situation lies in front of you, you have to fight. It's a new day and we are looking forward to it. We have one change - GIll misses out and Washington comes in. (On whether he will bat at the top of the order?) Yes, I will."

On Tuesday, deep inside Chinese Mongolia, the Harmanpreet Singh-led Men in Blue did just about enough to beat a spirited Chinese side. The occasion: the final of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024.

India, the most successful team in the competition, now have five titles, including back-to-back triumphs in 2023 and 2024. The victory adds to their bronze medal secured at the Paris Olympic Games last month.

Weather could play a key part in the Test with temperatures rising as high as 40 degrees Celsius. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma had suggested that Boxing Day’s hot weather forecast for Melbourne — up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) could encourage India to pick two spinners, despite veteran Ravichandran Ashwin retiring and flying back to Chennai after the Gabba Test in Brisbane.

Matches: 110

Australia wins: 46

India wins: 33

Drawn: 30

Tie: 1

According to recent performances and form55bmw, and with respect to the conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia start as favourites.