Rohit Sharma Replaces KL Rahul; Shubman Gill OUT: India Likely Playing XI For Boxing Day Test

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India are currently level 1-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a nail-biting draw in the rain-affected third Test of the series. They now take on Australia in the fourth match of the series which will be the much-awaited Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). India will aim to take a lead in the series and stat alive for direct qualification in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025. To achieve this India might undergo certain changes, with two stars going out and a massive change in the batting order.

Rohit Sharma To Open; Shubman Gill OUT

According to reports, Rohit Sharma will return to open the batting in the fourth Test of the series. Since his return to the side in the second Test, Rohit has played at no.6 and has struggled to find form. He will replace KL Rahul at the top, who has been in tremendous form in the series.

KL Rahul on the other hand, will drop down to no.3. There are reports that Shubman Gill, who is the designated no.3 batter for India will be dropped for the fourth Test after a string of unsatisfactory knocks. He will be replaced by Dhruv Jurel, who will come to bat at no.6. Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant will bat at their usual positions of 4 and 5 respectively.

Washington Sundar IN, Nitish Kumar Reddy OUT

India will shuffled their all-rounder slots a little bit keeping in mind the pitch at Melbourne. According to reports, India will go in with two spinners at the MCG, with Nitish Kumar Reddy making way for Washington Sundar. Reddy has been in good form throughout the series, while Sundar was dropped after playing the just the first Test. Jadeja will keep his place after the heroics with the bat in the third test. India will keep their pace bowling trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep unchanged,

India’s Likely Playing XI For Boxing Day Test Vs Australia: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj