New Delhi: India could make one change to their playing XI, replacing Mohammed Siraj with another fast bowler. Australia, on the other hand, might make two changes. The highly anticipated Boxing Day Test between India and Australia is set to take place on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). With the five-match series tied at 1-1, both teams will be aiming to take the lead.
To achieve this, Australia is expected to make at least two changes to their playing XI: one forced change and a second alteration in Usman Khawaja’s opening partner.
Ahead of the Boxing Day Test, Australia has handed a maiden call-up to teenage sensation Sam Konstas, while Jhye Richardson has been named as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood, who is out due to injury. If Konstas, who turned 19 on October 2, is selected for the Boxing Day Test, he would become Australia’s youngest Test debutant since captain Pat Cummins, who was 18 years and 193 days old when he made his debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2011.
Konstas’ inclusion comes after a series of disappointing performances from the Australian top order in the first three Tests, particularly from McSweeney.
India may make just one change to their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test, with another speedster possibly replacing Mohammed Siraj. Harshit Rana could be included.
Meanwhile, India has not yet made any announcement regarding a replacement for R. Ashwin, who announced his retirement after the Brisbane Test.
Australia Playing 11 probable: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland
India Playing 11 probable: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj/Prasidh Krishna.
The 25-year-old, who made his Test debut in the series-opener in Perth, struggled throughout, failing to score a single half-century. His scores in six innings were 10, 0, 39, 10 not out, 9, and 4, with Indian pace spearhead dismissing him four times.
Sam Konstas Batting Records
Konstas had been under consideration to partner Usman Khawaja after catching the attention of Cricket Australia’s selection committee with his impressive performances in the Sheffield Shield. He scored an unbeaten 73 at the MCG against India A and followed it up with a century (107) in the Prime Minister’s XI pink-ball game against India in Canberra.
“Sam gets a call up to the Test squad for the first time. His style of batting offers a point of difference and we look forward to watching his game develop further,” Australian Chair of Selectors George Bailey said.
Pacer Jhye Richardson has been included in the 15-member squad in place of Josh Hazlewood, who has been ruled out due to a calf injury. Richardson, who has battled a series of injuries, hasn’t played in a Test since his three appearances during the 2021-22 Ashes series.
“In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, Jhye provides further options in the fast bowling department. It has been pleasing to see his successful return throughout the early part of the domestic summer,” said Bailey.
Speedster Sean Abbott also returns to the squad for the remaining matches, alongside uncapped Tasmania all-rounder Beau Webster, who was added ahead of the second Test in Adelaide.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Travis Head (vc), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
India squad for Boxing Day Test: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (Wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (Wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar.
