The nail-biting, record-breaking match between Australia and India in the Boxing Day Test captured the attention of millions of viewers, with a staggering 8.6 million tuning in to watch the thrilling final session on day five. The debut performance of 19-year-old Sam Konstas, Nitish Kumar Reddy's impressive knock, and Jasprit Bumrah's captivating spell were just some of the highlights of this unforgettable match. With an average total TV audience of 1.3 million, a 56% increase from last year, and 906,000 viewers exclusively on 7plus, it's clear that the clash between these two cricket teams was a must-watch for sports fans. With Australia now leading 2-1 in the series, all eyes are on the upcoming Sydney Test for another thrilling match.
Australia Defeats India in Nail-Biting Boxing Day Test
The Boxing Day Test between Australia and India concluded with a nail-biting finish, capturing the attention of millions of viewers worldwide. On the final day of the match, a staggering 8.6 million tuned in to witness the thrilling last session.
Highlights of the Match
The match was filled with memorable moments, including:
Viewership Data
The match drew an average total TV audience of 1.3 million, a significant increase of 56% from last year. Additionally, 906,000 viewers watched the match exclusively on 7plus, highlighting the growing popularity of digital streaming services for sporting events.
Series Standings
With the victory, Australia now leads the series 2-1. The fourth and final Test match will be held in Sydney, starting on January 3rd.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who won the Boxing Day Test? Australia defeated India by 8 wickets.
2. What was the average TV audience for the match? 1.3 million.
3. Who was the man of the match? Jasprit Bumrah.
4. Why was the match so exciting? The match featured intense competition, dramatic twists and turns, and outstanding performances from both teams.
5. What other notable events have occurred in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
Indian pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been the standout performer for his team in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. With underwhelming performances from other Indian players, Bumrah has been the centre of attention, taking up the responsibility of both wicket-taking and batting when needed. His workload throughout the Test series has been impressive, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the first Test and crucial wickets in the remaining matches. Bumrah's contribution has been pivotal in India's success against Australia.
Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant has commended captain Rohit Sharma's decision to drop himself from the final Test match against Australia, calling it an emotional but selfless move. Pant also recognizes Sharma as a leader and a true example of selflessness. With Sharma's form being questioned, he chose to step down and Pant batted with restraint on the opening day of the match, acknowledging the challenging pitch and situation.
Tasmanian cricketer Beau Webster, who made his debut at the age of 31, displayed a remarkable calmness and confidence at the press conference before the fifth Test between Australia and India. He performed well in his debut match, bowling 13 overs with an economy of 2.2 and taking two catches. He comes from a long line of successful cricket players from Tasmania, including David Boon and Ricky Ponting, and has the potential to follow in their footsteps.
Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah's aggressive celebration after dismissing Australian opener Usman Khawaja on the last ball of Day 1's play in the fifth India-Australia Test at Sydney Cricket Ground has gone viral on the internet. Bumrah's celebration came after a verbal battle with Sam Konstas, which escalated in the final over of the day. With this wicket, Bumrah has equalled legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi's record of taking the most wickets in a Test series between India and Australia in Australia. The video of Bumrah's celebration and the altercation has created a buzz on social media.
The first Test match between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground was full of heat not just between bat and ball, but also between players. In a fiery incident, Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah and young Australian batsman Sam Konstas were involved in a heated argument just before the end of the first day's play. The tension spilled over onto the field as Bumrah got rid of Konstas' partner Usman Khawaja just two balls later, leading to an intense celebration from the Indian team. The clash adds more spice to the already intense rivalry between the two cricketing giants.
The Indian batting lineup's struggles in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have raised questions about the absence of Cheteshwar Pujara in the squad. Amidst reports of Gautam Gambhir pushing for Pujara's inclusion, the selectors chose to overlook the experienced batsman. With an impressive record in Australia and his ability to anchor the innings, Pujara's absence may have been a missed opportunity for Team India to solidify their batting lineup. Join and stay updated on all the latest developments in this ongoing debate.
Under-fire Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant once again threw away a good start, falling for 40 on day one of the final Test against Australia in Sydney. Despite taking multiple heavy hits to the body, Pant couldn't resist his attacking instincts and was dismissed by pacer Scott Boland. India's opening session was plagued by regular skipper Rohit Sharma opting to rest and top-order woes, with only 50 runs scored in 25 overs.
Team India's struggles with the new ball in Sydney continued as KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal were dismissed early by the pacers. Despite Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill forming a partnership, Gill was dismissed by Nathan Lyon on the final delivery of the first session, with Steve Smith's constant chatter from slips credited for unsettling him. In the post-lunch session, Kohli too fell to a similar delivery, leaving India struggling at 107 for 4. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant fought hard with multiple blows but Kohli's longstanding struggles outside the off-stump and slip fielder's tactics proved costly for the team's top order.
The first day of the fifth Test match between India and Australia was filled with controversies. From Rohit Sharma missing the match and giving the captaincy to Bumrah, to Virat Kohli's controversial call with the third umpire, it was an eventful day. The third umpire, Joel Wilson, gave a favourable decision to India after the on-field umpire went upstairs to him. This decision was met with mixed reviews from former cricketers. Former Test umpire Simon Taufel explained why the decision was a difficult one to judge, citing the ICC protocol on fair catches.
Beau Webster, who has been in great form at the Shield level, has been given the opportunity to make his debut for Australia in the fifth Test against India. This decision has been backed by former Test opener Simon Katich, who believes that Webster deserves the chance and the selectors have been consistent with their choices. This comes after out-of-form Mitchell Marsh was dropped from the playing XI. India, who are currently struggling at 95/4 in the first session of the fifth Test, will be looking to make a comeback in the match.