IND vs AUS 3rd Test: Mayank Agarwal to make debut as India drop Rahul, Vijay

Some major changes have been made in the team following the performances of players in the first two Tests

Indian have announced their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against Australia which begins from Wednesday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Some major changes have been made in the team following the performances of players in the first two Tests.

Openers KL Rahul and Murali Vijay have been dropped from the next game after their highly disappointing batting shows in Adelaide and Perth. As a result, Mayank Agarwal is set to make his international debut and likely to open the innings with Hanuma Vihari.

Rahul had scored only 48 runs in four innings this series, including a highest of 44 in the second innings at Adelaide.  In this year's overseas cycle alone, his average had dropped down to 20.94 in nine Tests with only one fifty-plus score.

 Vijay had done no better previously scored 49 runs in four innings this series, including a highest of 20 in the second innings at Perth. Overall in 2019, he only averages 18.80 in eight Tests, with one hundred against Afghanistan.

At the same time, Rohit Sharma has been declared fit and is back in the middle-order after missing out the game in Perth.

On the other hand, India’s principle spinner, R Ashwin is yet to get fit and hence, will be missing the 2^nd game on a row in this series. India have also dropped pacer Umesh Yadav to bring in Ravindra Jadeja back into the XI. This will only be Jadeja's second away Test this year, who will be a part of the 4-man attack including Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah.

Indian Playing XI:

Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (capt), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah

Meanwhile, Australia have also announced their playing XI and brought back all-rounder Mitchell Marsh to replace Peter Handscomb, who has been going through a patchy form.

Australia Playing XI:

Aaron Finch, Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Tim Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

India lost the 2nd Test at Perth by 146 runs after which the series levelled 1-1.