Melbourne Test: India-Australia match sets new record for spectator attendance at MCG

Melbourne (The Uttam Hindu): The ongoing Boxing Day Test match between India and Australia at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has set a new record for spectator attendance. This match, part of the Border-Gavaskar series, has surpassed the previous record set during the six-day Test between Australia and England in 1936/37.

Over five days, a total of 3,51,104 spectators have attended the match, making it the highest-attended Test match in Australian cricket history. The previous record of 3,50,534 spectators was set during the Australia-England match in 1936/37. Cricket Australia announced on its official account on the social media platform 'X', "Thank you, Melbourne. A new Australian cricket record, an MCG record, and history has been created."

The first day of the match saw 87,242 spectators, the highest single-day attendance for a Boxing Day Test. The third day attracted 83,073 fans, setting another record for that day. The overwhelming turnout created a festive atmosphere, particularly with the strong presence of Indian fans, while the stadium staff worked tirelessly to manage the large crowds. The previous record for Boxing Day Test attendance was during the 2013/14 Ashes series, with a total of 2,71,865 spectators.

On the field, India was set a target of 340 runs to win in the fourth innings. At the time of reporting, India had reached 95/3 during the second session of the fifth day, aiming to secure a draw. However, India’s star batsmen struggled, with captain Rohit Sharma (9), KL Rahul (0), and Virat Kohli (5) all dismissed cheaply. Currently, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has scored a half-century, and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant are at the crease, focusing on a defensive approach to salvage the game.