Boxing Day Test: The ongoing edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been nothing short of a rollercoaster for both sides. While India cruised to an overwhelming 295-run win to get the series in full swing, the hosts came back in some fashion to clinch the pink-ball Test by 10 wickets. The Gabba Test ended in a stalemate, the spoilsport being several downpours in Brisbane.
India Prepares for Boxing Day Test with Possible Changes
The fourth Test is set to commence at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on December 26. Australia seems to be in a much more comfortable position in the lead-up to the highly-anticipated Boxing Day Test.
With how India has performed in the past couple of games, widespread discussions are bound to occur regarding the strategic decisions the management would bring in when it comes to the upcoming encounter.
Here are the 3 possible changes India might make for the MCG Test:
1. Rohit Sharma to be promoted at No. 5 ahead of Rishabh Pant
The think tank, in conjunction with skipper, Rohit Sharma, himself, might just end up deciding to bring the latter up the batting order. This, in turn, would push wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant, to No. 6. This might be subtly in contrast to where Rohit has batted ever since arriving in Australia, having missed the first game due to familial demands.
Getting Rohit higher up the order could be thought of as a win-win for India and, in particular, Rishabh Pant. In case of an unexpected top-order collapse, Rohit has enough expertise and prowess to tackle the swinging new ball. As for Pant, he possesses considerable ability to bat in the usual tempo-setting fashion, especially with the lower middle-order and the tail-enders.
Also Read: KL Rahul’s Boxing Day Test Record
2. Akash Deep is to open with a new ball alongside Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has been at his ever-consistent best during the current series, accounting for an incredible 21 dismissals in six innings up until now. However, he has not found the desired support from the other end from Mohammed Siraj, particularly with the new ball. Unexpectedly, Siraj has not been able to limit the flow of runs on a handful of occasions.
Akash Deep, on the other hand, has shown a lot more consistency after coming in, replacing Harshit Rana for the third Test. The speedster has looked a lot more incisive with the channels he has managed to land the ball in. Even in general, Akash has impressed while opening the bowling due to his impressive ability to be able to manage the swing of the brand-new cherry.
3. Abhimanyu Easwaran to replace Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill at No. 3 might have worked during the majority of the home leg for India during the present calendar year. However, he has only managed to compile 60 runs in the three innings he has featured so far. The 31 and 28 in the second game after missing the series opener due to a thumb injury was followed up by an underwhelming three-ball one.
Maestro of the domestic circuit, Abhimanyu Easwaran, could be predicted to be handed his national debut at the MCG. Although he did not have significant contributions in the two tour matches played against Australia A ahead of the series, Easwaran would be expected to be all set to make a mark at the grandest of stages. Known to all, he possesses all the attributes in the world to be dogged while facing the new ball, mainly due to his quintessential technique.
