AUS vs IND 2024-25: India have their 'nose ahead' going into Boxing Day Test, says Ravi Shastri

The 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been a cracker of a contest up until now. The series is currently poised at 1-1. While India took the lead via a comprehensive 295-run rout of the hosts in the series opener in Perth, Australia came back to emerge victorious by 10 wickets in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. The third Test in Brisbane ended in a draw, making the fourth one an all-important affair.

Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri recounted his time at the helm and emphasised the psychological advantage India possess at the moment. 

"I think India would take this, the way the series is poised. Any overseas team being 1-1, especially with the games being in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, they would take this. Going 1-1 into Boxing Day is the best-case scenario. I would say India have their nose ahead. Even when I was the coach, our mantra was to play extremely hard, fair, and to win," stated Shastri, while speaking to news.com.au.

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The first day of the Boxing Day Test will determine which way the series will go: Shastri

Shastri emphasised the need for India to go all-out and not just play for survival, something which he felt the side were quite successful during the first three games.

"You have to think of a method to beat Australia and not just compete. You have got to plan properly, how to take your 20 wickets. India have done that and been very aggressive. They have been in the face of Australia and got as good as they get. It has been entertaining and feisty stuff. India have their nose ahead. I think the first day of the Boxing Day Test will determine which way the series will go," added Shastri.

The MCG has not quite been a particularly happy hunting ground for India. India have lost eight of the 14 matches they have played at this venue. However, they will take confidence from their exploits in the 2020-21 season, where they ended up clinching an eight-wicket victory to script a memorable comeback in that series.