KL Rahul eyes rare hat-trick of Boxing Day Test centuries at MCG

As India prepares to face Australia in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), opener KL Rahul has a unique opportunity to etch his name in history. Rahul, who has been in outstanding form throughout the series, is on the verge of achieving a rare milestone: a hat-trick of centuries in Boxing Day Tests.

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The high-stakes encounter, set to begin on December 26, will be a Boxing Day affair with the series finely balanced at 1-1. India will look to gain a crucial lead, and KL Rahul’s form at the top of the order could be pivotal.

Rahul has been India’s standout batter in a series that has posed significant challenges for the team’s batting lineup. Promoted to the opening slot after skipper Rohit Sharma opted to play in the middle order following the birth of his second child, Rahul has adapted seamlessly to the role.

With 235 runs in six innings at an average of 47.00, including two half-centuries and a top score of 84, he is India’s leading run-scorer in the series and second overall. Rahul’s composure and confidence against the new ball have been instrumental in providing India solid starts, a critical factor in the team’s quest for victory.

The Boxing Day Test holds special significance for KL Rahul. In his last two Boxing Day appearances, both against South Africa at Centurion, he scored memorable centuries.

• In 2021, Rahul made 123 in a victorious outing, along with a 23 in the second innings.
• In 2023, he followed it up with a knock of 101, though India ended up on the losing side.

These performances underline Rahul’s ability to deliver in cricket’s marquee event, often played in front of large, vibrant crowds.

However, Rahul’s Boxing Day record in Australia is less illustrious. His only previous Boxing Day Test at the MCG, which was also his debut Test in 2014, saw him struggle with scores of three and one.

In 2024, KL Rahul has played eight Tests, amassing 469 runs at an average of 39.08, with four half-centuries and a best score of 86. In the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, he has accumulated 574 runs in nine matches at an average of 41.00, including one century and four fifties.

India Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.

Australia Squad: Pat Cummins (C), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Travis Head (VC), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith (VC), Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.