With India having been bowled out for 36 to squander a strong position in the first Test against Australia, there was social media clamour for the tourists to make any number of changes to their XI for the Boxing Day Test.

With Virat Kohli now departing the tour on paternity leave, and Mohammed Shami having reportedly been ruled out of the rest of the series, by a blow to the arm sustained during that dramatic second-innings collapse, India will have to make at least two changes to their Adelaide XI. Four Wisden writers have their say on how India should line up for the Boxing Day Test:

Ben Gardner, Wisden.com managing editor

Kohli out, Gill in
Saha out, Pant in
Shami out, Natarajan in

Apart from the enforced changes, Prithvi Shaw looks most in danger, at least if you go by which player is having the most vitriol directed towards them on Twitter. His two dismissals at Adelaide were similar, with inward movement rearranging his stumps both times, and, as Ricky Ponting demonstrated, predictable. But the ball is unlikely to move as much again this series, he was far from the only batsman to fail twice, and he’s still a 21-year-old who has enjoyed a healthy start to his Test career. India should stick with him until Rohit Sharma returns, at least.

That leaves a debate over who should play in place of the departing Virat Kohli, with KL Rahul and Shubman Gill the two vying batsmen. I’d be tempted by the latter, with Rahul’s form fluctuating and Gill more than ready for the step up, and in the theme of betting on youth, Rishabh Pant should play too, especially with the factor of keeping to a pink ball removed from the equation.

On who should replace Mohammed Shami, I’ve plumped for T Natarajan. He’s not technically in the squad as it stands, but was reportedly the best on show in the pre-series nets, and that kind of bolt-from-the blue, feel-good story might be just what India need to distract from the Adelaide horrors.

Sankalp Srivastava, Wisden India staff writer

Shaw out, Gill in
Kohli out, Rahul in
Saha out, Pant in
Shami out, Siraj in

The abject performance on the third day of the Adelaide Test would have anyway prompted a few changes in the India XI. And Mohammed Shami’s injury, on top of Virat Kohli’s departure, has only added to the team management’s headache. Shubman Gill looks set to make his Test debut now, especially after Prithvi Shaw’s dismal form continued, and perhaps some time on the sidelines will do the youngster some good. With 2,270 runs @ 68.78 in first-class cricket and impressive recent form, the Boxing Day Test would be the perfect stage for Gill to announce himself.

That means KL Rahul comes in for Kohli, but I’d rather have stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane bat at four with Rahul at five, followed by Vihari and hopefully Rishabh Pant, who I think should be brought in for Wriddhiman Saha. I’d replace Shami with Mohammed Siraj, who could be India’s second debutant in Melbourne. Siraj has 152 wickets at 23.44 in 38 first-class matches, and the required skill set to extract the maximum from conditions in Australia.

Taha Hashim, Wisden.com features editor

Shaw out, Gill in
Kohli out, Rahul in
Saha out, Pant in
Shami out, Siraj in

Australia’s backing of Joe Burns paid off with a half-century in the chase; should India show similar commitment to Prithvi Shaw? Probably not. These Australian quicks are the best surgeons going, and the 21-year-old could probably do with a breather away from the incisions of Cummins and co. to sort out his slump. Shubman Gill looked a million bucks when reeling off 65 against Australia A at the SCG – and just have a look at how pretty that first-class average is. He takes top spot in my XI while KL Rahul goes to No.4 in place of the departing skipper. The 28-year-old is going to crack Test cricket eventually, just you wait. And to round off the top seven is Rishabh Pant, a special cricketer who should have no business sitting on the sidelines. Siraj for the injured Shami completes the line-up.

Aadya Sharma, Wisden India staff writer

Shaw out, Gill in
Kohli out, Rahul in
Shami out, Siraj in

Hurting after their inexplicable batting collapse in the second innings of the Adelaide Test, India could be rejuvenated by a few changes to the team combination, both forced and otherwise. For starters, Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami’s absence automatically opens up two slots. The criticism over Prithvi Shaw’s double failure might have mellowed after the team’s combined capitulation, but it could still be enough to pave the way for another opener.

For the Boxing Day Test, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul could occupy two batting spots. Gill has been waiting in the wings for a long time, and put on a couple of fine scores recently to strengthen his case. Rahul’s red-ball career might have trailed off in recent years, but in Kohli’s absence, he seems to be their best bet to anchor the middle order, based on experience and recent form. For the vacant bowling spot, India could look to Mohammed Siraj: he’s untested at the Test level, but has the right ingredients to succeed on Australian pitches, and had a reasonably good outing in the practice games.