Going into the Melbourne’s Boxing Day Test, the 4th match of the IND vs AUS series, once again Team India has a few selection headaches up their sleeve. With the series locked at 1-1 for now, and two matches still left, India really need to make the most of the good batting conditions at the MCG, where they have not lost a Test match in the last 12 years. Far from being a happy hunting ground for Rohit Sharma & Co. they should expect improved batting performances though, which can uplift the entire team.
KL Rahul to Open, Not Rohit Sharma for Boxing Day Test
Once again, the batting order of Rohit Sharma will be bit of a problem, as in the PC on Tuesday, he refused to comment, as to where he will bat. “Let’s not worry about that. Who bats where is something we need to figure out within ourselves. It is not something I should be discussing at every press conference. Whatever it takes for our team to look good, gives us the best chance to succeed, we will ty and do that,” Rohit said.
That said, it would still be better for the Team India, to let Rohit bat in the middle-order. As it is, he is dreadfully out of form, where he last scored a ton 14 innings back; and it would only be an increased challenge to score runs off the new ball. So, he is best-suited at the No. 6 position only.
Mohammed Siraj Out, Washington Sundar In
While the batting would look the same, there can be a few changes that could be seen in the bowling line-up. For the exception of Jasprit Bumrah, all have been poor, but then, the changes still need to come anyway. Rohit could be tempted to go in with two spinners — Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Both have played a match each in the series, and can score some valuable runs for the team lower-down the order.
In the pace department, Bumrah has to be the first pick. He has picked up 21 wickets in three matches only, at an average of 10.90 and a strike-rate of 25. While Mohammed Siraj has picked up 13 in three, he has leaked a lot of runs, and instead Akash Deep could be chosen. He showed a lot of zeal in the second innings of the Brisbane Test, and returned with three wickets in the match.
Rest, Nitish Reddy could be the all-rounder and the third pacer in the team. If India do eventually go with two pacers, and as many spinners for the Boxing Day Test, then Nitish will have to come up with a lot more overs. Till now, in three matches, he has three wickets at an average of 41.
| S. No | Player |
| 1 | KL Rahul |
| 2 | Yashasvi Jaiswal |
| 3 | Shubman Gill |
| 4 | Virat Kohli |
| 5 | Rishabh Pant |
| 6 | Rohit Sharma |
| 7 | Nitish Reddy |
| 8 | Ravindra Jadeja |
| 9 | Washington Sundar |
| 10 | Jasprit Bumrah |
| 11 | Washington Sundar |
