The India-Australia five-match Test series is currently tied 1-1 after the rain-affected third Test in Brisbane ended in a draw.
India initially took the lead in the series with a dominant 295-run victory in the first Test at Optus Stadium. However, Australia bounced back strongly in the second Test, winning by 10 wickets in a day-night match at Adelaide Oval.
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In the third Test, Australia continued their strong form, posting an impressive 445 runs after batting first, with centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith.
India, struggling with their batting, appeared to be heading towards a loss, but rain and a resilient performance from the lower-order batsmen saved them from going 1-2 down.
Now, all eyes are on the fourth Test in Melbourne. This match is crucial not only in the context of the series but also for India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship final.
The Sporting News take a look at the playing XIs for both teams ahead of this crucial match.
India's likely playing XI in IND vs AUS 4th Test in Melbourne
India is expected to make a change to their lineup for the fourth Test, with potentially Washington Sundar replacing Nitish Kumar Reddy, given the latter's ineffectiveness with his bowling.
While Nitish has been consistent with the bat, Sundar’s off-spin could add a different dimension to Ravindra Jadeja on a pitch that is known to support spinners later in the game. There is also a chance, India might pick a fourth pacer instead of Sundar as the MCG pitch curator on Monday, claimed that the surface will benefit the speedsters.
Per latest report, Rohit Sharma is likely to open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
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Probable Playing XI (India):
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- KL Rahul
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Akash Deep
- Mohammed Siraj
- Jasprit Bumrah
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Australia's confirmed playing XI in IND vs AUS 4th Test in Melbourne
Australia’s squad will see a couple of changes ahead of the Melbourne Test. Scott Boland is set to replace the injured Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood sustained a right calf strain during the drawn third match at the Gabba.
The spotlight will also be on 19-year-old Sam Konstas, as he has now been confirmed to make his Test debut at the MCG by coach Andrew McDonald.
Travis Head was still not a certain starter after suffering a "quad strain" during the third Test, The coach remains "really confident" that he will be passed fit by the medical staff for Melbourne. However, on Christmas Day and on the eve of the Boxing Day Test, Pat Cummins confirmed that Head has been cleared by the medical team to take part in the 4th Test of the series.
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Confirmed Playing XI (Australia):
- Usman Khawaja
- Sam Konstas
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Mitch Marsh
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Pat Cummins (c)
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Lyon
- Scott Boland
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