Ind vs Aus Fourth Test: Rohit Sharma Set To Return As Opener, Big Changes In Playing XI Expected

MELBOURNE: Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will come back to his role of an opener for the highly anticipated Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne. It has been reported that Sharma, who batted at No. 6 in the last two matches, will now take charge at the top of the order. KL Rahul will be shifted to No. 3.

The team management is silent about Shubman Gill's position in the playing eleven. The speculation also indicates that India might play two spinners, and with Washington Sundar likely to share his new-ball role with Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy might miss out despite some recent contributions to the batting lineup.

On the Australian side, pacer Mitchell Starc is on the verge of a historic achievement. Starc needs just five wickets to reach 700 international scalps, a feat accomplished by only three other Australian bowlers—Shane Warne (1,001), Glenn McGrath (949), and Brett Lee (718).

Starc has taken 695 wickets in 284 matches across formats and with an average of 25.67. Starc has been brilliant in test cricket, taking 372 wickets in 92 matches, and Australia's fourth-highest wicket-taker in the format, while in ODIs he holds 244 dismissals, and in T20Is, he comes second for Australia with 79 wickets.

Besides, Starc is on the verge of becoming the third Australian bowler to dismiss India 100 times, after Nathan Lyon and Brett Lee. He has dismissed India 99 times in 45 matches that include three five-wicket hauls.

The Boxing Day Test offers an exciting battle where India and Australia will lock horns while Mitchell Starc looks forward to leaving his mark further in cricket history.

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