3 times Australia's top 4 crossed the 50-plus mark in a Test against India ft. BGT 2024-25

Australia ended Day 2 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by reducing their opponents to 164-5 at the close of play on Friday, December 27. Earlier, the hosts were bowled out for 474 after their former captain Steve Smith gave them a cushion with a stellar knock of 140.

Australia's innings had the peculiarity of their top four batters all crossing the fifty-run mark, with openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja joining number three Marnus Labuschagne and the reliant Smith in doing so. This was one of the reasons why the Kangaroos were able to set up such a massive total against a fine Indian bowling attack.

Given how rare such an occurrence is, in this listicle, we take a look at the three instances Australia's top four crossed the 50-plus mark in a Test:

#3 Melbourne, 2024-25

Australia's top four batters all crossed the fifty-run mark in the Boxing Day Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the MCG on Thursday, December 26. Opener Sam Konstas, who was handed his debut in this game, was perhaps the star of the show with his blistering knock of 60 runs off just 65 deliveries. His opening partner Usman Khawaja too chipped in with 57.

The ever-dependable Marnus Labuschagne, who came in at number three, scored 72 while former captain Steve Smith, in his comfortable position of number four, scored 140. These knocks helped Australia get to 474 on Day 2 and come back to restrict India to 164-5 at the close of play. Australia lead their visitors by 310 runs at the end of Day 2.

#2 Sydney, 2014-15

Another instance in which Australia's top four batters crossed the fifty-run mark against India was in the fourth Test of the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney that the visitors lost 0-4. Batting first, Australia were able to set up a total of 572-7 declared on the board thanks to Chris Rogers (95), David Warner (101), Shane Watson (81), and Steve Smith's (117) top-class knocks.

Tons from KL Rahul (110) and Virat Kohli (147) helped India get to 475 and both teams batted extremely well in their respective second innings to ensure that the game was drawn. Although Australia put their pedal to the metal in their second innings to score 251-6 declared, India ended theirs at 252-7, 97 runs short of the target they were set by their hosts.

#1 Delhi, 2008

One of the first times all of Australia's top four batters crossed the fifty-run mark in a Test innings against India was at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi in the 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India batted first and put up a gigantic total of 613-7 declared on the board owing to double-centuries from Gautam Gambhir (206) and VVS Laxman (200*). In reply, Australia got off to an excellent start.

Their top four batters Matthew Hayden (87), Simon Katich (64), skipper Ricky Ponting (87), and Michael Hussey (53) all crossed 50. In fact, Michael Clarke, who came in at number five, also crossed the fifty-run mark, ending his knock with 112 off 253 deliveries. Australia were eventually bowled out for 577 and India batted too long for 77.3 overs to score 208-5 declared. The match was eventually drawn.