Pat Cummins-led Australia would be raring to go in the Boxing Day Test match against India. Set to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Australian team would like to dish out another strong performance after their dominance in Adelaide and Brisbane.

Things will not be easy though, as India have time and again come back from adversities. Take the Brisbane Test for example. After nearly conceding follow-on on Day 4, India hit back with a tremendous bowling performance reducing Australia down to 89/7 in the second innings. India once again showed, even when down they cannot be counted out.

And the fiery build-up to the Boxing Day Test match has mimicked that attitude. While Australian players have been shifting between national team and family duties, the Indian stars have been hounded by the home media.

Star India batter Virat Kohli got into a confrontation with a female journalist at the Melbourne airport and just days later Ravindra Jadeja found himself in the boiling pot after the Australian media alleged that the all-rounder refused to take questions in English.

This mood might further intensify if a packed crowd of 100,000 people are present at the MCG on days 1 and 2 of the Test match.

Traditionally a strength of the Australian cricket team due to the environment it produces, the MCG might play the role of the 12th man for both teams. There is a big South Asian population that lives in Australia, which might come out in numbers to support the visiting team.

So, what is Australia's record at the MCG?

Australia have played a total of 116 Test matches on the venue, with the first Test match being played in 1877. The hosts have won 67 matches out of the 116, lost 32 and drawn 17.

In more recent times, since 2010, Australia have played 14 matches, out of which they have won 9, lost 3 and drawn 2 Test matches.

And here's where things get a little interesting.

In the last 14 years, where they have played one Test match a year, Australia have lost only 3 Test matches. Out of the three, Australia have lost two games against India - once in 2018, and the other in 2020. Their one loss before that came way back in 2010, when they lost to England by an innings and 157 runs.Australia's recent record at the MCG.

INDIA'S MOST RECENT PERFORMANCES AT THE MCG

BGT 2014-15

The only drawn MCG Test match in India's last three tours. Bowling first in the game, India was put in trouble by a prolific Steve Smith, who scored 192 runs in the first innings.

India replied with twin centuries from Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, who helped India score 465 runs in response to Australia's 530. After Australia declared for 318/9, India saw Australia off despite panicking early. Kohli and Rahane once again stabilised the Indian innings, after which Pujara, Dhoni, and Ashwin saw India off to a draw.

BGT 2018-19

Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, India notched up a famous win in the Boxing Day Test match. After a strong batting performance in the first innings by Cheteshwar Pujara (106) and Virat Kohli (82), India put up 443/7d.

In response, Australia fumbled in both innings, courtesy of Jasprit Bumrah (9 wickets), and India won by 137 runs.

BGT 2020-21

It was once again Jasprit Bumrah and Ajinkya Rahane who showed the way. Bumrah bowled out Australia for just 195 runs in the first innings, after which Rahane added insult to injury with his patient hundred, helping India take a 100+ lead.

Australia faltered with the bat once again due to the combined prowess of Mohammed Siraj, Bumrah, and Umesh Yadav, helping India notch up an 8-wicket win. Rahane was named the player of the match for his century and captaincy.

AUSTRALIA'S MOST RECENT PERFORMANCES AT THE MCG

Since their last loss at the MCG, Australia have hammered England, South Africa and Pakistan.

In 2021, Scott Boland's iconic 6/7 spell destroyed England - helping Australia win by an innings and 14 runs.

In 2022, Australia rolled over South Africa owing to a double century from David Warner. Australia won that game by a massive margin of an innings and 182 runs.

In their last match vs Pakistan at the venue, Australia were given close competition by Pakistan but the hosts ended up winning the game by 79 runs.