India make three changes for Boxing day Test as Mayank Agarwal set for Test debut

Indian opening act has been so dismal in the last one decade that their last century stand in the SENA countries came in Centurion eight years ago, in 2010, when Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir put on 137 runs in India's second innings. It has been one of the major reasons for India’s failure to crack the overseas code despite the bowlers making inroads in almost every match. 

So, to get them back into the shape, India have dropped both their openers for the third Test against Australia in Melbourne. Mayank Agarwal will make his Test debut, and although it is not clear yet, he may partner Hanuma Vihari at the top. He will make his debut at a venue where his statemate Rahul had started his international career four years ago and now that he is replacing him, he will, of course, try to make a statement so as to secure his place in the side in the long run. For the Test, India have also dropped Umesh Yadav to bring in Ravindra Jadeja back into the XI. 

While Rahul looked clueless against the pacers and often seemed very under-confident, Vijay has failed to notch up even one fifty in seven Tests outside the subcontinent this year. He was dropped from the squad mid-way through the series in England, before complaining lack of communication from the team management. 

This is the first time that India have announced the Playing XI of a Test match around 24 hours before the match begins. 

Squad for the third Test: Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah