Australia and India produced the best of cricket in the ongoing fourth match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, resulting in a record-breaking crowd at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday, December 30.
The total attendance of the Melbourne Test surged past 3,50,000 as the fans gathered in strength to witness history unfolding on Day 5. After a memorable cricket in the first four days, both teams entered Day 5 as favourites, triggering a record-breaking attendance.
The screen at MCG revealed a total attendance of 3,50,700 during the first session, with many more joining the game after lunch. This count broke the previous record of attendance of 3, 50, 534 in Tests in Australia set during the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England at MCG in 1937.
Cricket Australia reportedly confirmed an attendance of 51,371 on Day 5 as many packed the stands to witness a thrilling contest at MCG. The attendance crossed the 65000-mark when India made a comeback in the second session with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant taking India from 33 for 3 to 107 for 3 in 52 overs.
The first three days of the Test were attended by 87242, 85147 and 83073 fans but surprisingly only 43,867 people arrived at MCG on Day 4. Fans are expected to trigger the 80000 count in the closing stages on Day 5 as both teams are likely to take the fight to the wire at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Australia Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
India Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.
