Rohit Sharma missed the first Test of the series in Perth, where KL Rahul had filled in as a stop-gap opener. However, after two good outings with the bat, the team management decided to let Rahul continue opening the batting while Rohit slotted in at No.6 from the second Test onwards. Shubman Gill, who also returned for the second Test, batted at his usual No.3 position.

Ahead of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, however, reports have emerged that the Indian management are looking to move Rohit back up to open the batting while pushing Rahul down to No.3.

Rahul has been India's most consistent batter in this series so far, scoring 235 runs in three games at 47, second only to Travis Head's tally of 409 runs. On the other hand, Rohit has had a tough time with the bat, his 19 runs across three outings barely inspiring any confidence.

A Times Of India report mentioned that "Rohit Sharma is slated to open for India against Australia in the Boxing Day Test," which "would mean KL Pahul will drop to the No. 3 slot in the batting order."

RevSportz has reported on similar lines, stating that the "Indian team management is having talks about Rohit Sharma opening the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul batting at no 3."

It would be a brave call to take with the series on the line at 1-1 and the Indian captain struggling for form. If India do go through with it, it would also be interesting to see what that means for Gill's batting position, or perhaps even his position in the XI. While Gill has had a largely successful year as a Test batter, he has struggled for runs outside Asia. His last 40-plus score outside the subcontinent came nearly four years ago, in his debut tour of Australia during India's famous run-chase at the Gabba.

India looking to play two spinners – reports

The reports also state that India might be eyeing a bowling attack of three seamers and two spinners with Washington Sundar potentially in line to replace Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Reddy was picked as the fourth seamer who could bat. While he has provided crucial contributions lower down the order, his seam bowling has proved ineffective. The last time India played at the MCG, they had opted for two spinners as well, with Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin in the XI.

Following the retirement of Ashwin, India have added off-spinning all-rounder Tanush Kotian to the squad. However, with Sundar already available, he is more likely to get the nod to play alongside Jadeja if the team decides to pick two spinners.

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