BGT 2024-25: What happened when India last time played a test match in Melbourne?

India have played 14 test matches so far in Melbourne.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 is delicately poised after the first three tests, with the series tied at 1-1.

India made history by handing Australia their first-ever test defeat at the Optus Stadium in Perth in the first game of the series. Jasprit Bumrah rattled the Australian batting lineup with eight wickets, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli starred with centuries in the second innings.

The hosts bounced back brilliantly in Adelaide to extend their unbeaten streak in day-night tests at the venue. The Aussies outplayed the visitors to seal a comfortable victory by 10 wickets. Travis Head was named Player of the Match for his brilliant hundred in the first innings.

While we saw exciting cricket in the first two tests, the third test at the Gabba was a drawn contest due to frequent rain interruptions throughout the game. Despite the weather, the hosts dominated India for the majority of the game.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s international retirement after the completion of the Gabba test became the primary talking point in recent days.

The series will now move to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne for the fourth test, where India have fond memories of their last outing. On that note, let’s look at what happened when India last played a test match in Melbourne.

What happened when India last played a test match at the MCG in Melbourne?

India’s last test match at Melbourne was the second test of their 2020/21 tour, which they won by eight wickets to level the series 1-1. That test is widely remembered for Ajinkya Rahane’s sensational century in the first innings, which helped India in taking a 131-run lead.

Batting first, Australia were bundled out for just 195 runs, thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant four-wicket haul. In reply, India were 173/5 before Ravindra Jadeja (57) and Ajinkya Rahane (112) stitched together a crucial 123-run partnership, guiding the visitors to 326.

Australia suffered another batting collapse in the second innings and were bundled out for 200 runs. India chased the 70-run target comfortably with eight wickets in hand.

As India go to the Melbourne, they will look back at these fond memories from 2021. Notably, India won their second-last match at the MCG as well in the tour of 2018/19.

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