What changes did Indian cricket team make for Melbourne Test?

Australia and India are set to commence battle for the 4th Test in Melbourne for the Border Gavaskar series. Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat first on what looked like a great wicket, The home team had already announced that Sam Konstas was set to debut and Scott Boland was replacing Josh Hazlewood. 

Rohit Sharma said he would have batted first at the toss and made just one change to the team. Washington Sundar came in for Shubman Gill to strengthen the spin department. This means that Rohit Sharma is back batting at the top of the order for India after batting in the middle order in the last two games. 

The Indian skipper is under pressure to perform after scoring just 19 runs from his last 3 innings. Shubman Gill’s exclusion comes as a huge jolt for the young batter having made his debut at the same venue four years ago on the same day. There were reports that Tanush Kotian could make his debut for India but the team management decided to back Sundar instead. 

A massive crowd welcomes both sides

There was a huge roar as Pat Cummins and Rohit Sharma came out for the toss. The first few days of the game are set to be fully packed with fans keen to watch the two behemoth teams in action. According to reports over 90,000 tickets have been sold for the game in Melbourne. After wins for each side in the series' first two games and a draw in Brisbane, the series is perfectly set up. 

Speaking at the toss, Pat Cummins said “We gonna have a bat today. There's a bit of a grass like an old MCG wicket, looks nice and firm. It's been a great series so far”. The Aussie captain also confirmed that Sam Konstas is set to open the batting instead of Nathan McSweeney. 

Rohit Sharma said “ We would have batted as well, looks like a good wicket. The series is 1-1, a lot to play for, 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. We have one change Gill misses out and Washington comes in”

With just one Test to go after this and India’s hopes of a place in the WTC finals hanging in the balance, the visitors have a lot to play for. The hosts on the other hand will also look to win the game and to end their barren run of not winning the BGT series for a decade.