India turn to all-rounder Washington Sundar in place of Gill for crucial 4th Test against Australia

Melbourne: In the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday, Australia won the toss and opted to bat first against India. Off-spin all-rounder Washington Sundar replaces Shubman Gill in the playing XI for India, with the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series currently tied at 1-1.

With Gill absent, India captain Rohit Sharma has moved up to number three, and Sundar will be India's second spin bowling option alongside left-arm spin all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. This change brings India’s total number of all-rounders to three, including Sundar, Jadeja, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.

"We would have batted as well; it looks like a good wicket. The series is 1-1, a lot to play for, and it gives us a perfect opportunity to show what we are as a team. Whatever situation lies in front of you, you have to fight. It's a new day and we are looking forward to it. Yes, I will (bat at the top of the order),” said Rohit Sharma.

Australia, having won their first toss of the series, have made changes to their lineup. Teenaged opener Sam Konstas, who has been handed Baggy Green cap number 468 by former Test captain Mark Taylor, comes in to replace Nathan McSweeney. Konstas will face a challenging debut against India’s Jasprit Bumrah, with the pitch offering sweltering heat and seam-friendly conditions.

Australia have also made a change in the bowling attack, bringing Scott Boland back in place of Josh Hazlewood, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a calf injury sustained in the Brisbane Test.

“The pitch looks good. There’s a bit of grass like an old MCG wicket, and it looks nice and firm. The sun is out, 1-1, which is what everyone wanted to see. It’s been a great series so far. As a child in Australia, when you wake up, you have a good night's sleep after Christmas, and you look forward to the first ball,” said Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain.

Playing XIs:

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma (captain), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.

With IANS inputs