AUS vs IND 2024-25: 3 changes India might make for Melbourne Test

The ongoing edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been nothing short of a rollercoaster for both the sides. While India cruised to an overwhelming 295-run win to get the series in full swing, the hosts came back in some fashion to clinch the pink-ball Test by 10 wickets. The Gabba Test ended in a stalemate, the spoilsport being several downpours in Brisbane.

The fourth Test is set to commence at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne from December 26. Australia seem to be in a much more comfortable position in the lead up to the highly-anticipated Boxing Day Test. With how India have performed in the past couple of games, widespread discussions are bound to occur regarding the strategic decisions the management would bring in when it comes to the upcoming encounter.

Here are the 3 possible changes India might make for MCG Test:

1. Rohit Sharma to be promoted at No. 5 ahead of Rishabh Pant

The think tank, in conjunction with skipper, Rohit Sharma, himself, might just end up making a decision to bring the latter up the batting order. This, in turn, would push wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant, to No. 6. This might be subtly in contrast to where Rohit has batted ever since arriving to Australia, having missed the first game due to familial demands.

Getting Rohit higher up the order could be thought of as a win-win for India and, in particular, Rishabh Pant. In case of an unexpected top-order collapse, Rohit has enough expertise and prowess to tackle the swinging new ball. As for Pant, he possesses considerable ability to bat in the usual tempo-setting fashion, especially with the lower middle-order and the tail-enders.